Oblates
The Path to Becoming an Oblate
Meditation creates community. Meditators who experience personal transformation through a daily practice seek to express this in ways suitable to their own path. Oblation is one of these.
In New Zealand, we offer local pathways and communities of support to people wishing to follow the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) Oblate Path.
The WCCM Oblate Path is a contemporary contemplative way of living an ancient option in the monastic tradition.
The wisdom of the Rule of St Benedict helps meditators shape a lifestyle that grows from and supports daily practice and the integration of all aspects of one’s life, family, work, friends and social responsibility.
What does oblate mean?
Oblate comes from the latin word “oblatus” which means offering. Oblates are attached to a monastery which gives them a community to be accountable to.
The seed of the WCCM Oblate Community began to grow at the Benedictine priory which John Main with Laurence Freeman started in Montreal in 1977. The distinguishing feature of this new form of Benedictine life was the inclusion of the practice of meditation in the daily prayer and the teaching of meditation in the Christian tradition as the community’s mission and work.
This seed has since grown into a worldwide ‘monastery without walls’. This is an ecumenical community.
Dive deeper
If you feel drawn to learning more about the oblate path, the following resources will help you to explore futher and dive deeper.
The Oblate Path booklet by Fr Laurence Freeman OSB will help you see what the oblate life might mean for you. You can access this 20 page booklet HERE.
Fr Laurence Freeman OSB explains the WCCM Oblate path in this viedo. Visit the WCCM Oblates Website to view additional videos.
A Calling
Becoming an Oblate of the ‘monastery without walls’ is a special calling. Benedict’s Rule calls us to make a serious commitment to regular times of prayer throughout the day, to prioritise prayer as foundational to our discipleship of Christ.
As we are able we commit ourselves to develop a spiritual practice of regular prayer which includes meditation and some form of liturgy - the reflective reading of the psalms, lectio divina and the study of the Rule of Benedict. These times take place with loving forethought, discipline and reverence.
We are also committed to a community of others on this path, not only in New Zealand but globally. Presently the WCCM Oblate Community has over 400 members worldwide in 32 different countries.
In New Zealand we have about 50 oblates scattered throughout the country. Some live remotely. We get to know each other through a fortnightly email, cell group gatherings - both physical (in the larger centres) and online, and at a biennial retreat.
A Path and a Process
The Oblate Path is a journey and as with every journey there are stages.
The steps to Oblation are not a legalistic programme to be got through in a fixed period of time. Becoming an Oblate is not about acquiring a new kind of status but an enhancement of the contemplative and creative rhythms meditation fosters. There is, however, a structure and a process at each step.
Becoming a Seeker after meditation in this tradition has become part of your life.
Becoming a Postulant
Becoming an Oblate Novice
Full Oblation
Living Oblation by sharing in the life and work of the community.
Once you have decided to explore this path further and become a postulant you will be assigned a mentor and invited to attend online formation gatherings.
First Steps
If you, as a meditator within WCCM, are feeling curious or drawn to this ancient source of wisdom, please contact Jo Ward, the NZ National WCCM Oblate Coordinator.
e: oblatesnz@gmail.com p: 022 071 5881.
She will answer any questions you may have, introduce you to the community and help you with the initial discernment process.
Helpful Resources
A Community of Love by John Main OSB
Seeking God: The Way of St Benedict by Esther deWaal
The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century by Joan Chittister
Day by Day with Saint Benedict by Terrence G. Kardong OSB
