Benedictine Oblates are lay persons who associate themselves with a Benedictine monastic community to share in their search for God. Oblates strive to incorporate Benedictine values and spirituality into their everyday lives.
For more information about the Benedictine Oblates of St. Gregory’s Abbey, please contact:
Rev. Martin Lugo, O.S.B.
Director of Oblates
St. Gregory’s Abbey
405-878-5449E-mail: Oblates@stgregorys.edu
Fall 2007 Oblate Meetings Held
Autumn meetings of the Oblates of St. Gregory's Abbey were held at St. Gregory's in Shawnee, OK, and at St. Benedict Parish in Montebello, CA.
In Oklahoma, oblates met on Sunday, October 7. Abbot Lawrence presided at Mass, during which the oblates witnessed the installation of four members of the monastic community into the ministry of acolyte. Following a lively lunch in the monastic refectory, the oblates gathered for a meeting with Oblate Director, Fr. Martin Lugo. During this meeting, Br. Boniface Copelin, OSB, spoke to the oblates about his experiences as a student at the Benedictine university and house of studies in Rome - Sant'Anslemo. A discussion followed his presentation and several oblates asked questions regarding his perspectives on a number of issues. Following this discussion, Abot Lawrence spoke to the oblates about the importance of their witness in the world of today.
The day ended with the happy occasion of the acceptance of two oblate novices and the act of final oblation of three new oblates to the monastery. Below is pictured the group of oblates and inquirers who gathered at St. Gregory's Abbey on October 7, 2007.
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| Br. Boniface Copelin, OSB, speaks to the Oblates about his experiences as a student at the Benedictine University in Rome - Sant'Anselmo. Br. Boniface will be ordained as a deacon at Sant'Anselmo on Sunday, April 20, 2008, and to the priesthood on August 21, 2008, at St. Gregory's Abbey. | Fr. Martin and Abbot Lawrence are pictured with the new Oblate Novices, who began their novitiate year on October 7, 2007. After a year of integrating Benedictine prayer and spirituality into their daily lives, these oblate novices will have an opportunity to make a final profession as oblates of St. Gregory's Abbey. | Abbot Lawrence receives the final profession of Oblates Cynthia Bird, Kathey Fretwell and Cynthia Patterson. These three new oblates come from Denton, TX, and are part of our growing Oblate Family outside the state of Oklahoma. | Pictured above are the documents of oblation signed by Oblates Cyntia Bird, Kathy Fretwell and Cynthia Paterson. Abbot Lawrence placed these signed documents on the altar of the St. Gregory's Abbey Church as a sign of their offering to God. |
In California, the Benedictine Oblates of St. Gregory's Abbey residing in California gathered at St. Benedict Parish in Montebello, CA, for Mass and a delightful dinner. Abbot Lawrence, Fr. Martin and Br. George Hubl traveled from Oklahoma for this special meeting of our California Oblates. Abbot Lawrence presided at Mass. During his homily he emphasized the importance of each individual within the community of faith - no matter how small we feel that our contribution might be. The oblates and guests then gathered at Salvatore's Restaurant for a delight meal and time of fellowship and friendship.
Pictured below are the Oblates who gathered at St. Benedict Parish on October 21, 2007.
2007 California Spring Oblate Day Held
The spring oblate day at St. Benedict Parish in Montebello, CA, was held on March 18, 2007. Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, presided at Eucharist with Oblate Director Rev. Martin Lugo, OSB, and Rev. Joachim Spexarth, OSB, concelebrating. Six were received as oblate novices during the Mass. After Mass the Oblates gathered with a number of other parishioners from St. Benedict's at Salvatore's Italian Restaurant for a delightful dinner and time of fellowship. Fr. Martin and Abbot Lawrence shared news and announcements about news from the monastery and university, as well as on monks who served in roles of ministry at St. Benedict's and Our Lady of Lourdes in East Los Angeles.
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Pictured above are Oblate Director Rev. Martin Lugo, OSB, and Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, with the newly accept oblate novices, received at the spring oblate gathering in Montebello, CA, held on March 18, 2007. |
Pictured above are the Oblates of St. Gregory's Abbey who gathered at St. Benedict Parish in Montebello, CA, on March 18, 2007. |
Oblates are invited each year to renew their oblation and association with St. Gregory's Abbey during annual Oblate gatherings. If you are an oblate of our community and have not been able to attend these meetings, we invite you to renew your commitment with us by mail. This will also give you an opportunity to share any personal news your prayer requests that you might have. Simply click on the link below to open a oblation renewal form:
The following links provide helpful information on Benedictine Oblates:
http://www.osb.org/osb/obl/intro.html
http://www.osb.org/osb/geog/neur.html#E
http://www.bluecloud.org/index.html
http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~osb/obl/
