The Oblate Life

by Gervase Holdaway (Editor)

Recognizing that Benedictine oblates are a diverse and ever-changing lot, found throughout the world in a wide variety of circumstances, The Oblate Life embraces this richness of oblate expression and offers guidance for lifelong spiritual formation in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Drawing deeply on the wisdom of monastics and oblates from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, The Oblate Life is designed as a perpetual source of aid, inspiration, and enlightenment for men and women oblates and candidates as well as oblate directors.

Genres: Spirituality

328 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

To finish out this year I have chosen to review the two best resources I’ve found for becoming a Benedictine Oblate. Both books are beautifully bound with durable hardcovers designed for years of use. They are similar in style and format with topical essays in easy to read chapters written by excellent contributing authors.


The Benedictine Handbook begins with a brief introduction to Saint Benedict and his Rule followed by the tools for Benedictine spirituality and how to practice them in our every day lives whether we live in a community or as a solitary. The Benedictine Handbook is an excellent resource to help you understand the basics of the Benedictine lifestyle and the foundation of this type of spiritual walk.

The Oblate Life though very similar in style and format regarding Benedictine history and spirituality, it focuses mostly on what it means to live as a Benedictine oblate. Whether married with a family or single, in our community or the church, the essays cover all areas and seasons of life. The bibliography in The Oblate Life is an excellent list of resources to help us delve deeper into all things Benedictine.

If you feel called to the Benedictine spiritual walk both of these books are a must have for your library. The Benedictine Handbook and The Oblate Life both serve as a great introductions to many of the best Benedictine authors in the market today. I have thoroughly enjoyed studying both books and will continue to for years to come.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been a professed oblate for 27 years in The Order of Julian of Norwich, an order whose rule is influenced by the Rule of St. Benedict, I still found this collection of articles very valuable & helpful.
Directed particularly for Benedictine Oblates, it is a good refresher of the history of St. Benedict & his Rule, and contains a wonderful & practical suggestions for oblates of any order, as well as a fine collection of Appendices Resources for oblates.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice volume of pieces for Benedictine oblates, or anyone who is interested in living out monastic values outside of a monastery. Each chapter by a different author, some are better than others, but if you don't mind skimming a few chapters that don't speak to you then the remainder is excellent. I especially appreciated the chapters on social media and lectio divina.

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

[Rev. Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great primer for Oblates.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is a recommended read for Benedictine oblates, be forewarned that it is a "dense" read. Some of the chapters will probably not apply to you at all if you are not a monastic, but the book is very thorough and can help you in the discernment process. It also makes an excellent reference.

[Joshua Booher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was required reading for the St. Mary's Convent Oblate Formation program. It has an ecumenical authorship centered around living the Rule of St. Benedict as a lay person. Most of the chapters were excellent and relevant to me.

[Kirk Newland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not recommended due to issues with cultural relativism and non-orthodoxy.