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Developments in the US

In 1898, when the Institute of the Oblates of St. Benedict was as yet virtually unknown in the US, St. Vincent's Arch abbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, published a small book title Manual for Secular Oblates of St. Benedict , which was subsequently revised at least twice.  In 1937, St. Johns Abbey, Collegeville, MN, issued  a Manual for Oblates of St. Benedict. This went through at least 5 editions.  "The first national Conference of Oblate directors was held August 26-28, 1949 at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, with oblate directors from fifteen monasteries n attendance."  These beginnings span about a half a century.

When the movement began to develop in the US, as also when it had been restored in Europe, the term, "oblate continued to be used, as it is even today.  It seems that this designation, having originated in the Rule itself, helps to link this structure in whatever age, to the long tradition of Benedictine monarchism.  the oblate movement is organic yet it retains a consistent identity throughout the different eras of its history.  the main principles of confraternity, or participation in the monks labor and prayer, have persisted, whatever outward form the life of the oblates has taken.

In June of 1971, a group of oblate directors met at St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, Illinois for the purpose of considering how oblates of St. Benedict might respond to the new climate in the church ushered in by Vatican II.  One year later a second meeting was held at St.. Mary's Abbey, Morristown, NJ, in order to review papers that had been written in the interim and to exchange pertinent ideas.  This meeting brought forth guidelines which have since been endorsed by a number of oblate directors in North America.  Of the document setting forth these guidelines, Martin J. Burne, OSB, President of the American Cassinese Federation of Monks, writes: "It is intended to serve as both Constitution and Guidelines for the spiritual life in their efforts to interest men and women, who, while retaining their position in the world, wish to somehow to identify with a given Benedictine monastery or convent."

The most recent meeting of oblates was held in the summer of 1975, again at St. Procopius Abbey, where David Turner, OSB, directs the movement.  The primary purpose of the workshop was to discuss mutual concerns of oblate life of the monasteries and convents of the US, Canada, and Mexico.  The interaction among the twenty nine participants brought out new ways of expressing the Benedictine life for the laity.  A highlight of the five day workshop was a presentation by a panel of three oblates: a chief of police, who is also a deacon; a married man, who is a teacher and a single professional woman.  They shared their experiences, focusing on their reason for wanting to live the oblate life and noting the benefits they derive from this affiliation with a Benedictine community.  They expressed appreciation for such elements as lectio (reading with heart) and other helps for directing themselves into a simpler seeking of God.  The need for group support in spiritual matters motivated the married man to continue as an oblate after his marriage, while the professional woman indicated oblate life made clear for her a genuine Christian base for her service in the Church.  During the sessions, directors shared their novitiate program (one year for oblates) and the general form of their regular meetings as well as ways in which ongoing formation of oblates is provided.  One director shared what has been happening with families and the family association.