Oblates & Associates
Explore the path of Benedictine Oblates and Associates, deepening faith, community, and service through the Rule of St. Benedict.
Discover a Sacred Way of Living in the World
At St. Paul’s Monastery, the paths of Oblates and Associates offer laypeople and women discerning a contemplative life a meaningful way to deepen their spiritual journey while remaining rooted in their daily vocations.
Through intentional connection with the monastic community, individuals are invited to live out the wisdom of the Rule of St. Benedict—seeking God through prayer, service, and community, wherever they are. Whether as an Oblate or Associate, this journey is one of ongoing formation, sacred companionship, and faithful commitment to living the Gospel in everyday life.
A Journey In Faith
Discerning the Path of a Benedictine Oblate
Individuals seeking a deeper spiritual connection and a structured approach to Christian living are invited to explore the path of becoming a Benedictine Oblate. This journey offers a unique opportunity to integrate the timeless wisdom of the Rule of St. Benedict into daily life, fostering personal growth and a profound sense of community.
What Does "Oblate" Mean?
The term “Oblate” originates from the Latin word oblatus, meaning “offered.” In the Benedictine tradition, an Oblate is a Christian layperson who makes a formal offering of themselves to God, choosing to live according to the spiritual guidance of the Rule of St. Benedict while remaining in their secular life. This commitment signifies a desire to seek God and embody Benedictine values in everyday circumstances.
Who Are Oblates?
Oblates are women and men from diverse Christian backgrounds who feel called to deepen their relationship with God through the Benedictine way of life. They actively associate themselves with a Benedictine monastery, such as St. Paul’s Monastery, using the Rule of St. Benedict as a guide. This affiliation allows them to enrich their Christian journey while maintaining their existing familial and professional responsibilities.
What Does an Oblate Do?
Oblates strive to live out the Gospel of Jesus as presented in the Rule of St. Benedict. They seek a balanced life of prayer, work, study, and holy leisure, integrating these elements into their daily routines. By valuing and supporting one another in community, Oblates bring the spirit of monasticism into their families, workplaces, and social activities, embodying Benedictine spirituality in the broader world.
What does being an Oblate at St. Paul’s Monastery look like?
Being an Oblate of St. Paul’s Monastery is a deeply enriching journey of faith, prayer, and community. Oblates are women and men—single or married, lay or ordained—who feel called to live according to the Rule of St. Benedict in their everyday lives. While they do not live at the Monastery, Oblates are fully part of its spiritual family.
Oblates pray the Liturgy of the Hours, volunteer in Monastery ministries, and share meaningful time with the Sisters and one another. Monthly gatherings offer opportunities to grow in Benedictine spirituality, reflect on Scripture, and support each other in living the values of hospitality, humility, and peace. Prayer practice groups deepen the communal bond, offering stillness, wisdom, and shared commitment.
This is a community of seekers—people striving to live with purpose, stability, and compassion in a busy world. The journey is personal, but never solitary. At St. Paul’s Monastery, Oblates find not only guidance and formation, but a spiritual home where hearts are united in prayer, service, and the enduring Benedictine way of life.
How Does One Become an Oblate?
The journey to becoming an Oblate begins with a desire for spiritual growth and a commitment to seek God through the ideals set forth in the Rule of St. Benedict. Prospective Oblates enter a year of formation, exploring Benedictine traditions and learning how to apply the Rule to contemporary living. This period includes monthly formation sessions, personal reading, and guidance from a Benedictine Sister sponsor. The formation culminates in a discernment retreat, after which candidates may choose to make their Final Oblation, formally affiliating with St. Paul’s Monastery.
For more information on becoming an Oblate or to begin this transformative process, please contact Kami Pohl, Oblate Co-Director, at 651-777-8181 or kpohl@stpaulsmonastery.org.
Embarking on the path of a Benedictine Oblate offers a profound opportunity to deepen your faith, enrich your spiritual life, and join a supportive community committed to living out the Gospel in the spirit of St. Benedict.
Explore the Path of a Benedictine Associate
At St. Paul’s Monastery, the Benedictine Associate ministry invites Catholic single women to deepen their spiritual journey by living in close relationship with our monastic community. This unique opportunity allows participants to seek God while actively engaging in the ministries of the Monastery.
What is a Benedictine Associate?
Associates of St. Paul’s Monastery are single Catholic women who feel called to live out Benedictine values in their daily lives in a strong connection with the monastic community. While they do not live at the Monastery, Associates share deeply in its prayer, community, and mission. They begin with a one-year commitment to formation in Benedictine spirituality, which is renewed annually.
Rooted in values like hospitality, humility, and service, Associates find their call to serve strengthened—both within the Monastery’s ministries and in the wider world. From supporting liturgies and retreats to living Benedictine peace and presence in their workplaces, homes, and parishes, Associates become a living extension of monastic life.
By offering their time and talents freely, Associates help sustain the sacred rhythm of the Monastery. In return, they are nurtured by a prayerful community and a tradition that calls them ever deeper into love of God and neighbor.
If you feel drawn to a life of service shaped by Benedictine wisdom, the Associate relationship offers a meaningful and enriching path.
How to Become an Associate
If you feel called to explore this enriching path, we encourage you to reach out for more information. Please contact Sister Linda Soler, OSB, at 651-777-8181 or srlinda@stpaulsmonastery.org
Embarking on the journey of a Benedictine Associate offers a profound opportunity to grow spiritually, serve others, and become an integral part of our monastic community.
