Women Become Benedictine Oblates

Marlese Robinson and Marcella Reed promise to live as Oblates of St. Benedict.	Sister Raphael Frank, OSB with Marlese and Marcella.

During Morning Praise on Sunday, March 20, 2011, the day before the solemn feast of St. Benedict, Marcella Reed and Marlese Robinson made their promise to live as Oblates according to Rule of St. Benedict.

Throughout the ages, the Rule of St. Benedict has served as a spiritual guide for countless men and women. The Rule is a practical application of the Gospel to the daily lives of those who are called to live as monks and nuns within a monastery and also to those Oblates who are called to give witness to their baptismal commitment by taking the Gospel and the Rule of St. Benedict into world through myriad forms of service, family and single life. The act of oblation is preceded by an intense period of study, prayer and discernment.

When the candidate is ready, he or she is invited to make a commitment which is renewed annually. The Oblates then continue to meet and pray regularly with the Sisters and remain in close connection with the monastery in order to strengthen their commitment.

After their period of preparation, Marcella and Marlese chose to make their act of oblation. Standing before the altar in the chapel of St. Benedict Monastery in the presence of all the Sisters, they promised:

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

I, Marcella, I, Marlese offer myself to God as a Benedictine Oblate of St. Benedict Monastery, and I promise to dedicate myself to the service of God and all people according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

Sister Benita DeMatteis, prioress of the monastery, received their oblation and blessed them. Both women received the special Oblate pin embossed with the cross of St. Benedict as a sign of their oblation and commitment from Sister Raphael Frank, director of Oblates.
Following the oblation made by Marcella and Marlese about twenty people, women and men who have already been in the Oblate Program, renewed their promise to the service of God and all people according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

After the ceremony, Sister Raphael invited all of the Oblates to join the community for brunch which was a very festive occasion. As the director of the Oblate Program, Sister prepares the candidates and facilitates their regular meetings.

Oblates are an important part of the life and vitality of any Benedictine monastery. The Abbot Primate Notker Wolf says that Oblates may be the best gift that Benedictines give to the world. This is true because their impact is both subtle and strong, far reaching and in places where one would not expect such a witness. The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh are proud of and very happy with the wonderful women and men who walk with us in the living tradition of Benedict. Their voices swell our prayer, their loving service extends our outreach, and their lives inspire us to greater fidelity.

If you are interested in becoming a Benedictine Oblate, please call Sr. Raphael at 412-931-2844 or e-mail her at raphfrank@yahoo.com. You are more than welcome to come and see.

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