Oblates
We, the Benedictine Oblates of Monastery Immaculate Conception are women and men who desire to spread the spirit of The Rule of St. Benedict by adopting the principles of the monastery to enrich our own lives and share those principles with others.
Who are Oblates?
Oblates of St. Benedict are Christian men and women from all walks of life who associate themselves with a specific Benedictine monastery to enrich their way of life.
Oblates promise to deepen their faith and to lead enriched Christian lives according to the Rule of St. Benedict; they do not take on new religious practices. The spirituality of St. Benedict is so flexible that it can be adapted to the life of anyone seriously seeking God and desiring to live the Gospel message.
Through association with the Sisters of St. Benedict, Oblates receive guidance and support in living the Christian life. This support and guidance is provided through regular Oblate meetings, by the Oblate newsletter, and other enrichment opportunities offered by the sisters.
What do Oblates do?
UNITE daily prayer to the prayer of the sisters
JOIN in the community’s celebration of the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours
DEVELOP a relationship with the sisters
SUPPORT the ministry of the sisters as ability or time allows
ENCOURAGE and support vocations to the Benedictine way of life
ATTEND days of prayer and other spiritual enrichment offerings
PARTICIPATE in works of charity and justice in the local area
MANIFEST the Spirit of St. Benedict in all places and all times
MEET monthly, virtually or in person, for prayer, presentations, and social time
Oblate Leadership Team & Council 2025
Front row: Lynn Belli, Shirley France, Stephanie Smith, Judy Kissel, Emily Earhart, and Sr. Becky Mathauer, OSB
Oblate Meetings & Presentations
Praying with Icons Presentation at January 17 Meeting
On Sunday, January 17, 2027, Sister Jeana Visel with present to our oblate community: Praying with Icons. Within the Eastern tradition of Christianity, the icon, or religious image, long has held a place of honor. Western Christianity, too, has its own traditions of using sacred images for prayer and worship. In this presentation, participants will learn what an icon is and how it can be used for liturgical, devotional, and catechetical uses. Attendees will get a hands-on experience of working from a prototype to make an ink drawing of an icon.
Oblate Meetings & Presentations
Benedictine Popes Presentation at March 21 Meeting
On Sunday, March 21, 2027, Sister Celeste Boda will lead us on an exciting adventure by sharing her knowledge of discovering “Benedictine Popes: Men of the Cloister or Men of the World?”—a compelling presentation exploring how Benedictine popes navigated the Avignon papacy, the power of dominant kings, and the investiture crisis. Often forced to flee for their lives, these popes had little opportunity to govern the Church or advance Benedictine monastic life, while rulers tightened their control by appointing Church officials.
Oblate Candidates
Welcome Renee Dewhurst.
With gratitude and prayers, our oblate community welcomed Renee Dewhurst as a new candidate on Sunday, September 14, 2026. Sr. Susan Mary Hooks and Oblate Elaine Baumgart will accompany Renee each month in prayerful reading and reflection on Stephen Isaacson’s Praying with Saint Benedict: Reflections on the Rule.
If you are interested in becoming an Oblate, simply complete the form below. Your information will be forwarded to our Oblate Formation team member, Ellen Stanton, who will reach out to you soon to share more about the Oblate journey and what it means to be connected with the Sisters of St. Benedict at Monastery Immaculate Conception.
Oblate 2026 Season Scheduled Monthly Meetings
Zoom availability for the months of January, February, March, April and May. All meetings begin at 12:30 p.m. with Zoom sign-on starting at 12:15 p.m. For a Zoom link, please email oblates@thedome.org at least three (3) days in advance. All times are 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. EST in St Gertrude Hall with exception of Advent and Lenten Studies.
Those interested in learning more about the Ferdinand Immaculate Conception Monastery Oblate Community or wish to join one of the Oblate monthly presentations either in person as a guest or via Zoom can send the inquiry form found below. Oblate Shirley France will be in touch.
If you missed a meeting, you can click on the links below to watch each of the videos.
| January 18, 2026 | Peru Mission: 1969 to the Present | Watch Video |
| February 22, 2026 | Ministering in Mexico Experience with Sister Teresa Gunter & Sister Jackie Kissel | Watch Video |
| March 15, 2026 | Liturgy of the Hours with Sister Kathleeen Cash | Watch Video |
| April 19, 2026 | Anthropology in Christianity with Mary Jo Lautier | Watch Video |
| May 17, 2026 | Oblate Leadership Discernment Session with Sister Becky Mathauer | Watch Video |
| June 5-7, 2026 | Oblate Retreat in New Harmony, IN | |
| July 2026 | Zoom Rosary | |
| August 9, 2026 | Monthly Presentation | |
| September 13, 2026 | The Blessing Cabinet and The Dove House Community with Sister Louise Laroche | |
| October 11, 2026 | Final oblation at 9:45 a.m. in the Monastery chapel. Meeting will focus on a mini fair with more opportunities to volunteer. |
Oblate 2027 Season Scheduled Monthly Meetings
Those interested in learning more about the Ferdinand Immaculate Conception Monastery Oblate Community or wish to join one of the Oblate monthly presentations can send the inquiry form found below. Oblate Shirley France will be in touch.
| January 17, 2027 | Praying with Icons with Sister Jeana Visel |
| February 21, 2027 | Monthly Meeting |
| March 21, 2027 | “Benedictine Popes: Men of the Cloister or Men of the World?” with Sister Celeste Boda |
| April 18, 2027 | Monthly Meeting |
| May 16, 2027 | Monthly Meeting |
| August 8, 2027 | Oblate Picnic |
| September 19, 2027 | Rite of Reception |
| October 10, 2027 | Renewal of Oblation |
| January 16, 2028 | Monthly Meeting |
Viewing Meetings & Presentations
To access live-stream during meetings:
- You need to use a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. You cannot use Apple devices or iPads at this time.
- Live Streaming link: click here
- Once it loads, it will launch Microsoft Media Player.
- Adjust the size and volume as you see fit.
- Remember you can only access the live stream during an Oblate meeting.
At the Monastery
Liturgy of the Hours
Why I Became an Oblate.
Watch this video and hear what lead and motivated some of our current Oblates to the Monastery Immaculate Conception.
The Oblate’s Prayer
O loving God,
We ask your blessing on all the Oblates of Saint Benedict,
on those with whom we are affiliated,
and all Benedictines throughout the world.
Help us to become people of prayer and peace.
Though scattered far and wide, help us to be
together in the spirit of your love. Give us
hearts wide enough to embrace each other as
well as those whose lives we touch. Enable us
to listen and to learn from each other and from
those around us each day.
May we be models in our homes
neighborhoods and communities of wise
stewardship, dignified human labor, sacred
leisure and reverence for all living things.
Above all, O God, may our presence among
others be a constant witness of justice,
compassion and hope to all.
Amen
Interested in becoming an Oblate?
If you are interested in becoming an Oblate, simply complete the form below. Your information will be forwarded to our Oblate Formation team member, Ellen Stanton, who will reach out to you soon to share more about the Oblate journey and what it means to be connected with the Sisters of St. Benedict at Monastery Immaculate Conception.