Oblate Question

[consumedconvert]

There are two Benedictine communities in our diocese, both an hour or so away (geographically it’s a large diocese). One is a community of Monks, the other is a community of Sisters. The Sisters have oblate meetings in my town, but it seems the Monks only have oblate meetings at their monastery.

From talking to a friend who is an Oblate connected to Sister’s community, they have a liberal streak. She says in fact that she usually skips the meetings, even though she participates fully in the Benedictine Oblate life, because the lean left.

From what I’ve heard, the community of Monks is more traditional. Aside from all that, I feel I might be more comfortable being connected to a male community than a female one, since I’m a guy. I feel I could relate more.

Would it be wrong or wrong-ish of me if I should eventually choose to become an Oblate at a monastery fifty miles away, and join that group of Oblates, when there is a much more accessible group of oblates right here in town? I for one would feel guilty if I chose to become the member of a far-off Parish instead of the Parish across town. Should I feel the same way about choosing a community? Is it wrong to “Monastery shop”?

CC

 

[consumedconvert]

bump

 

[BarbaraTherese]

There are two Benedictine communities in our diocese, both an hour or so away (geographically it’s a large diocese). One is a community of Monks, the other is a community of Sisters. The Sisters have oblate meetings in my town, but it seems the Monks only have oblate meetings at their monastery.

From talking to a friend who is an Oblate connected to Sister’s community, they have a liberal streak. She says in fact that she usually skips the meetings, even though she participates fully in the Benedictine Oblate life, because the lean left.

From what I’ve heard, the community of Monks is more traditional. Aside from all that, I feel I might be more comfortable being connected to a male community than a female one, since I’m a guy. I feel I could relate more.

Would it be wrong or wrong-ish of me if I should eventually choose to become an Oblate at a monastery fifty miles away, and join that group of Oblates, when there is a much more accessible group of oblates right here in town? I for one would feel guilty if I chose to become the member of a far-off Parish instead of the Parish across town. Should I feel the same way about choosing a community? Is it wrong to “Monastery shop”?

CC

Hi CC…No, you are not wrong to seek out that which attracts and appeals to you which is an indication of to where God may be calling you. At times actual communities within the one religious order can vary greatly in numerous ways and it is not at all wrongful to seek a compatible community. The confirmation and sign that one does indeed have a religious vocation from God (including as an Oblate or lay Third Order member) is final profession in the religious order.

Incidentally and as an aside, the same applies with one’s parish. It would not be wrong to choose a parish to which you are attracted - sometimes there can be something or other within one’s residential parish that causes problems of some kind sufficiently incompatible personally for one to seek membership of an alternative parish with which one is compatible. There is nothing to my knowledge in Church law and regulations to state that one MUST belong to one’s residential parish only - we are the one family.

Blessings and regards…Barb