Explore the Oblate Life
Is God is calling you to a higher purpose? It’s an important question to ask yourself. Becoming an Oblate requires prayer, reflection, and seeking advice from spiritual mentors. An Oblate embraces a life of prayer, service, and community while living in the secular world. If you feel a pull toward these aspects, it may be a sign that God is guiding you toward this vocation. Read on to learn more and ask yourself some important questions about your life and the path you are following.
How do I know if I am receiving the call to an Oblate life?
Consider Prayer
Prayer is one of the best ways to listen to God’s call. As you sit in silence….in God’s presence…is your heart stirred? Do you feel the Holy Spirit tugging at your “insides”? Are thoughts of serving God’s people as religious priest or brother present?
Talk With Others
God reveals His plan for us through the special people that He puts in our lives. What are other people saying to you? If only one person has told you that you may make a good brother or priest-that is significant. If many people have told you, the same thing, is God speaking to you through them? Is He trying to make His will known to you in this way?
Assess Your Skills and Talents
Reflect on your strengths and abilities—what are the areas where you excel? Consider how your talents align with the needs of the Universal Church. Are your skills suited for missionary work or the service of a religious congregation? By recognizing how your gifts can contribute to the Church’s mission, you can better discern where God may be calling you to serve.
Spiritual Direction
Find a skilled spiritual director to guide you in your journey. This could be a priest, brother, sister, deacon, or layperson—someone who can help you explore God’s presence in your life. A good guide will listen, ask thoughtful questions, and assist in deepening your relationship with God through prayer and discernment. Finding the right person to walk with you is an important step in gaining spiritual clarity.
Choose to Enter Formation
Formation is for individuals who feel a general sense that God is calling them to religious life. It provides the guidance and structure needed to help you grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually, while also deepening your understanding of your vocation. Through the process of formation, you gain greater clarity about your calling, enabling you to see your path with more precision. It’s a time of discernment that not only helps you understand your personal vocation but also guides you toward the specific ways in which God is inviting you to serve His people.
Characteristics of a Good Candidate for Oblate Life
Are you an active member of the Catholic Church with an appreciation of the past and a sense of hope for the future, while being engaged in the Church as it is here and now? Being an active member means not just attending Mass but understanding the Church’s history and embracing its mission in the present and future.
Have you developed a sound faith and spiritual life, and are you willing to keep growing? A strong foundation in faith is essential, but continuous growth in prayer, reflection, and service is equally important in religious life.
Do you have a positive life direction and a sense of purpose? A clear sense of purpose, aligned with your faith, guides your actions and decisions in life, helping you live intentionally and meaningfully.
Do you have the intellectual ability to complete the required education? Are you physically and psychologically healthy to meet the demands of vowed or ordained ministry? Intellectual readiness, along with good physical and psychological health, is essential for handling the demands of religious life and ministry.
Are you a person of integrity and generosity, with a sense of responsibility and an awareness of God in your life? Integrity and generosity are key qualities, reflecting a commitment to living a responsible life rooted in faith and awareness of God’s presence.
Can you make a positive choice for celibacy? Celibacy is a significant commitment, requiring a clear, joyful choice to dedicate your life fully to God and service to others.
Are you responsive to the needs of others? Do you have a desire and ability to serve generously in a variety of settings? Being compassionate and adaptable in service to others, whether in ministry or outreach, is essential for living a life of service.
Do you have leadership ability so that you can invite and empower others to use their gifts? Leadership in religious life is about guiding others and empowering them to recognize and use their own talents for God’s service.
Do you value men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds? Embracing diversity and respecting the dignity of all people is a fundamental value, fostering unity and compassion in community life.
Can you enter into healthy relationships with others and have a good sense of self when relating to others? Healthy relationships, rooted in emotional intelligence and self-awareness, are key for fostering authentic connections in religious community and ministry.
Reach out to discover how you can become an Oblate and join our mission.
Are you an active member of the Catholic Church with an appreciation of the past and a sense of hope for the future, while being engaged in the Church as it is here and now? Becoming an Oblate is a deep commitment to understanding our Mission and the Church’s history, in the present and future.