Customer Reviews

How to Be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job: An Invitation to Oblate Life (Voices from the Monastery)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It seems like the fad of the day is for aspiring Christian authors to visit monasteries and write about their experiences. It is almost as if the very surroundings of a cloister will rub off and increase one's spiritual depth. But something about the call of the monastery is more than just a fad. An increasing number of people are adopting monastic spirituality for themselves. According to Br. Tvedten there are currently an estimated 24,155 Oblates of St. Benedict in the world. I am among their number. This almost equals the 25,255 vowed Benedictine men and women. The invitation to Oblate life is being answered by many people today. This book was written for them.

This easy to read book offers an excellent introduction to the vocation of the Oblate. The book is straight forward, respectful and unpretentious. Oblates who read this book will come away with a warm inspirational glow that their calling is appreciated. Those who are interested in lay monasticism will learn enough from this volume to understand what the movement is all about.

Several have commented that this little book (111 pages) is aimed more at those interested in formal ties with a monastic community than those who wish to practice Benedictine spirituality on their own. There is a reason for this, private Benedictine monastic spirituality is an oxymoron. To be Benedictine is to be part of community. This is even true of Benedictine hermits. One may be a contemplative or a mystic alone. One might pattern a personal devotional life after Benedict's Rule. One might even create a private prayer chapel. But these are not the same thing. I played around the edge of monasteries for years before I realized I had to take the plunge or forever be on the outside peeking through the windows.

Is this book for you? The answer is plain. If the title is catchy enough that you are reading this review then you should also read the book. You have already passed the "interest test".

In North America there is growing interest in Benedictine (i.e. Christian monastic) spirituality. How DO you become a monastic and not leave your day job? Brother Benet's answer is the answer that some 10,000 lay Catholics and Protestants in the U.S. have come up with: namely, become an oblate. Benet explains that to become an oblate is to have a special relationship with a particular Benedictine community, and to try to practice what Saint Benedict taught. That particular monastery becomes the person's "monastic home." Benet explains that the appeal of becoming an oblate includes the prayerful support of a monastic community, a deepening spiritual renewal, and the appeal of Benedictine values including a structured prayer life.

Brother Benet is the oblate director of Blue Cloud Abbey. He extends an invation to become an oblate to any person (man or woman) who is drawn to monastic spirituality but who doesn't want to take vows as a monk. The new oblate joins a host of other Christians discovering this way to deepen their spiritual lives and Christian journey. As Benet says: "This book attempts to explain the calling of an oblate." But rather than a left-brained analytical one-two-three Do-It-Yourself book like we're all used to, Br. Benet weaves a tapestry of anecdotes, historical notes, stories, and descriptions that give one an intuitive feel for the depth and breadth of oblate life, tradition, commitment, values, and milieu. His writing makes an enjoyable read, is often humorous, though is admittedly a bit disjointed at times.

Those wanting to skip right to the "How to" part of becoming an oblate can head directly to Part Three - "Becoming an Oblate." This section gives a brief history of oblates, what is entailed in oblation, why others have become oblates, descriptions of the investiture and oblation rituals, and five simple guidelines for oblates living the Rule of St. Benedict (RB). Those who are considering becoming an oblate should also know something about Benedictine spirituality (Part One) and Benedictine values for daily living (Part Two). These chapters give the flavor of Benedictine spirituality more by diffusion (through the anecdotes, historical notes, stories, and descriptions) rather than by a step-by-step analysis of the RB. For those interested in further applying the Rule of St. Benedict to secular life, see two books by oblates: Norveen Vest's "Preferring Christ", and Esther De Waal's "A Life-Giving Way." Additionally, Benet gives an excellent "Recommended Reading List" (by topic) at the end of his book.

What do oblates actually do? Benet notes that oblates may help out at the monastery, give prayerful support, and are often a prime mediator between the monastery and the world - i.e. they take Benedictine values into the world. He describes how monasteries around the world are continuing to encourage and honor the vocation of the Benedictine oblate, accepting lay oblates as an integral part of the monastic family.

As noted above, this is not so much a "How To" book as "What It's Like Being an Oblate" - and what it's been like through the centuries. If you skim the book looking strictly for "How To" points, you'll likely be disappointed or frustrated. But if you do a slow read and let the descriptions and stories capture your heart and imagination, you will come away with a deeper intuitive understanding of the oblate vocation. I rate this book 5 stars for anyone deeply interested in Christian monastic spirituality who might be drawn to making this closer tie with a monastic community.

For those looking for specific steps in becoming an oblate, here's a quick summary:

1) Locate and visit some monasteries - perhaps those nearest you. For a listing of monasteries in each state and/or diocese, see the Catholic directory (book) which should be available in most monastic, Cathedral, and diocesan libraries.
2) Pick the monastery that most attracts / best fits you. Note that regardless of your gender, you can become an oblate at either a men's monastery or a women's monastery.
3) Talk to the Oblate Director of the monastery, and follow his or her suggested steps (may include study of the RB, attending a few oblate meetings, making a retreat at the monastery, etc.)
4) Become "invested" as an oblate - i.e. make a formal request to become an oblate.
5) Spend time in "formation" (generally one year) - may include classes, meetings, home study, etc.
6) After the specified time, request to make oblation to your chosen monastery.
7) With the approval of your Oblate Director, go through the ritual of oblation to that monastery.

Benedictine life has as a major plank continual conversion. This book helps explain how Benedictine monks and Oblates seek Christ via prayer (the Psalms which were the prayers that Christ prayed) as well as Lectio Divina, stability and even works. A readable and enjoyable book. Benedict was a lay person and he wrote for regular people. Likewise this book was written for regular people who want to learn about Benedictine life. No fancy hurdles to jump.. No complicated idiosyncratic procedures.. The depth of the Benedictine life pursued is ultimately up to the monk or Oblate..

This book doesn't do what it says on the label. It is not a practical, hands-on, guide to Benedictine spirituality for lay people. It is more a guide book, background, history and explanation for those people on their way to becoming lay oblates with a particular Benedictine Monastery. It would be extremely useful for someone taking formal steps of becoming an oblate, and would perhaps help them explain what being an oblate entails to friends and family. What it won't do is give clear guidance and advice on implementing the Rule of Benedict in everyday life. It doesn't tell you how to *live* as a monastic in the world. More, it tells you how to become formally associated with a monastery and what this might entail.

The title leads one to believe that this is as hands-on as Beyond the Walls, by Paul Wilkes, or The Inner Room, by Mark Plaiss. This book is more of a history and discussion of the Benedictines, and less a practical guide to incorporating Benedictine monasticism into everyday life.

Very good starter overview for someone who is not very familiar with St Benedict and how his rule applies for anyone who wants to live a devout life.

Brother Benet Tvedten's HOW TO BE A MONASTIC AND NOT LEAVE YOUR DAY JOB is short book, written in an accessible, breezy style, about the Benedictine Oblates. Oblates are associations of lay people, Catholic and non-Catholic, that are attached to particular Benedictine monasteries. These associations provide a formal framework for lay observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict. Though there are ceremonies that celebrate stages in the process of oblation, and that manifest in an oblate's attachment to a particular monastery his or her observance of the Benedictine rule of stability, the oblate does not take religious vows of chastity, poverty and obedience; in short, oblates are not monks.

The title of the book, if one didn't take notice of the subtitle, might mislead one to think the subject is much broader in scope than the Oblates of Saint Benedict. Though Tvedten does discuss the Rule of Saint Benedict, and briefly describes some of the attributes of Benedictine spirituality, his book is not intended as a thorough treatment of Western monasticism and the qualities of the contemplative life. If you are looking for direction in how to adapt contemplative practices to your life in the world, you are better off looking for guidance elsewhere; indeed, since the Jesuits are known as "Contemplatives in Action," one might instead look at one of the numerous books on Ignatian spirituality.

As far as oblation is concerned, Tvedten is, if you'll pardon the cliché, preaching to the choir. The target reader has probably already heard of the Oblates and has some interest in pursuing that path. For that reader, this book may not provide much information that he or she doesn't already know. For the person unfamiliar with the Oblates, this introduction doesn't really convincingly make the case for considering it. This reader was interested in knowing that Jacques Maritain, Sir Alec Guinness, Dorothy Day, Eugene McCarthy, Rose Kennedy and Walker Percy were all oblates (p. 70), but wasn't really sure what it was about the Oblates that drew them to the life. In other words, how does becoming an oblate fulfill one's desire to live Benedictine spirituality? Are oblates just monastic wannabees? or is their oblation, as Tvedten suggests, a vocation?

BE A MONASTIC is a light if enjoyable snack that will leave you feeling peckish for a more satisfying meal.

I guess I didn't read the introduction when I purchased the book otherwise I might have known that in order to become a Monastic you first must become a Benedictine. That's a tongue in cheek comment by the way.

There is the Oblate's in the Benedictine world and "Third Order of St. Francis" in the Franciscan order, both provide a somewhat structured method of achieving some sort of normalcy in a hectic world. The Oblates of St. Benedict is a unique group in that every Benedictine Monastery has a Oblate group. The interesting thing about being a Oblate is that you do not need to be a Catholic in order to join. In my own experience as well as my wife's, we have been Oblates for nearly ten years at a Monastery in Arkansas. There isn't much that they ask you to do except for praying the "Liturgy of the Hours," and following the writing of St. Benedict in his "Rules" book. Depending on the Oblate Director at the Monastery, your participation in their community as an Oblate can be done twice a year at a retreat.

So I guess that If you learn anything from the book is that you can be a part of the community of Christ by praying and being a good person with the help of a local Benedictine Monastery. I would suggest to visit a Monastery, any Monastery, because all of them are founded on the same principle that each visitor is treated "as if Christ Himself came to the door!" Which is the primary principle of St. Benedicts Rule.

This book of course cannot set up a monastic schedule coordinating with your particular work and family life, as the variety is far too great within the intended audience of lay persons. FOr this you really need an individual Oblate Director and your own intense and daily prayer commitment in order to discern, discover and to realize all the ways and slow paths to conversion by which the ancient Rule For Monks of Our Holy Father Saint Benedict already winds its ineluctable road throughout your own individual life. But this book is a mighty guide, wise counsellor, constant coach, inspiring leader, generous gatekeeper, and encouraging friend in times of despair, disanimation, lassitude and the will to quit once and for all to path towards eternal life in God's merciful Love.

In the words of Our Holy Father Saint BEnedict, may we all get there together (or, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., warned us, die apart as fools).

Not much more to add to what has already been indicated here, except that this book has the power to open up for you the possibility of truly praying and living the Rule, and the Gospel, in your daily life, as difficult as this may be in our modern world. This book can set you free, to begin. Please read it and consider seriously taking on the commitment and the possibilities within your own limited life. What have we got to lose! I'll encourage you if you will encourage me too!

IF I COULD GIVE THIS BOOK 10 STARS I WOULD. FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BENEDICTINE OBLATE, THIS BOOK IS A MUST-HAVE. BROTHER BENET WRITES WITH SUCH WARMTH AND A 'FIRESIDE-COSYNESS'---ONE DOES NOT WANT TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I AM READING IT NOW FOR THE 2ND TIME AND HAVE ORDERED BENET'S OTHER BOOK 'A VIEW FROM THE MONASTERY'.

GET THIS BOOK. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.