Lay Membership

Oblates Jeannette Kelley and Lisa Radakovich with Sister Chanelle Schuler.

Our lay members are referred to as Oblates.

Oblates are men and women, married or single, active in any Christian denomination, who closely associate themselves with the Monastery of St. Gertrude through an initiation process and formal oblation (promise). There are currently over 60 Oblates of the Monastery of St. Gertrude throughout the Pacific Northwest.

People become oblates because they find that God’s call to daily conversion is facilitated in their lives through Benedictine spirituality. This spirituality is illuminated by the Rule of Benedict and the lived example of the sisters at St. Gertrude’s.

Oblates meet regularly as a community to deepen their personal and communal prayer and to explore ways to live Benedictine values in their daily lives. They develop deep and lasting friendships with the monastic community and with one another.

At the Monastery of St. Gertrude, oblates take an active participatory role in areas such as the Raspberry Festival, Monastery committees, and retreat ministry. Oblates also volunteer where needed – the kitchen, garden, museum or library.

The Oblate Community has seven area groups:

Spokane and Coeur d'Alene Oblates at a picnic with Sister Bernie Ternes (with the lighted face).

- Boise, Idaho

- the Prairie (Cottonwood, Idaho area)

- Lewiston, Idaho

- Palouse (Moscow, Idaho and Pullman, Washington area)

- Spokane, Washington

- North Idaho/Montana

- Puget Sound, Washington

An eighth group is forming in Missoula, Montana. Please email the oblate coordinators at oblates@stgertrudes.com for area contact information, meeting times and places. Each area group meets about once each month for prayer, study, and sharing.

 

Becoming an oblate at the Monastery of St. Gertrude includes developing:

• an understanding of Benedictine wisdom
• a shared prayer life within the oblate and monastic communities, and
• an outreach or ministry that incorporates the monastery’s values of healing hospitality, grateful simplicity and creative peacemaking.

Learn More About This Process

The process of becoming an Oblate at the Monastery of St. Gertrude is modeled after both the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and the process of initiation into the monastic community. The model draws from both traditions, each of which have elements of developing lived tradition, a wisdom source, shared prayer and outreach. These elements are developed in the three phases, outlined under the aspects of Community, Message, Worship, and Service. The three phases are: Inquirer , Candidate, and Oblate.

• Step 1: Inquirer. A time to acquaint yourself with the monastic and oblate communities via visits to the monastery and participation in oblate activities. You deepen your personal prayer and continue your local ministry.

• Step 2: Candidate. During this time you learn more about Benedictine spirituality through formal study, regular sharing, and participation in the liturgy and work of the monastery. You and your Sponsor communicate regularly as you discern your oblation.

• Step 3: Oblate. As an oblate you live out your Benedictine spirituality and continue your contacts with the monastic and oblate communities. Your service will reflect the monastery’s mission in your local situation.

Oblate Directors Sister Teresa Jackson and Jeannette Kelley, OblSB

For more info about the Oblate Program, contact us:

Sister Teresa Jackson or Jeannette Kelley, OblSB

Phone: 208-962-3224, Email: oblates@stgertrudes.org

 

Read More About Oblates