Benedictine Oblates affiliated with St. Vincent Archabbey will travel from around the country to attend the annual St. Vincent Archabbey Oblate Day on September 18. The event held every September is a day focused on enriching the lives of the Oblates and strengthening their relationship with Jesus Christ through the Rule of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictines and the Father of Western Monasticism. The day will begin with Mass at 10:00 AM. The Oblates will pray Midday Prayer, have the opportunity for confession, and gather for Evening Prayer with the monastic community.

Fred Byrne, O.S.B.
The spiritual conference for the day will be delivered at 3:00 PM by Fr. Fred Byrne, O.S.B., the Archabbeys Director of Vocations. He will speak on the topic Building a Culture of Vocations among Our Youth in the New Millennium: A Benedictine Perspective. Also, Oblation ceremonies will be held for those wishing to become Oblate novices as well as those ready to make their final Oblation.

Oblates of St. Benedict are Christian men and women who choose to associate themselves with a Benedictine religious community in order to strengthen and enrich their Christian way of life. Oblation means offering. Oblates seek to offer themselves more fully to Christ and to the Church by pondering the wisdom found in the Rule of St. Benedict and by entering into fellowship with their community of affiliation. Oblates do not take vows or live in a monastery. They continue to live in the world while they strive eagerly to live out the values of the Gospel. Oblates do make promises to seek God more intensely through the Rule of St. Benedict and in partnership with the Benedictine community with which they are affiliated.

St. Vincent Archabbey has some 850 Oblates. Monthly Oblate meetings are held in Latrobe and the other Oblate deaneries affiliated with St. Vincent: St. Benedict Church, Baltimore, MD; St. Benedict Church, Carrolltown, PA; St. Paul the Apostle Church, Annville, PA; St. Joseph Chapel, Johnstown, PA; St. Patrick Church, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada; Our Lady Queen of Peace Worship Site, Pittsburgh, PA; Queen of the World Church, St. Marys, PA; the Benedictine Residence, State College, PA; and the Benedictine Priory in Savannah, GA.

Those wishing to register for Oblate Day may phone Jackie Milko (724-539-7757) or Fr. Donald Raila, O.S.B. (724-805-2291).