Nurture the monk in yourself and in others

The Oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery form an ecumenical learning community of women and men. Diverse in ages and faith traditions, they find spirituality for their daily lives in the Rule of Benedict. Oblates seek God through a balance of prayer, work, leisure and study. They meet regularly to help one another grow spiritually, to nurture the inward, spiritual journey and to integrate Benedictine spirituality into their lives.

Explore Benedictine spirituality

Oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery, are invited to:

  • study the Rule of Benedict, a guide for Christian spirituality
  • pray with oblates and the sisters’ community
  • deepen their spirituality
  • develop a personal rule of life
  • actively serve the monastery in some way

Make a commitment
to a larger vision

Individuals who desire to become an oblate of Holy Wisdom Monastery spend one or two years in discernment as an oblate candidate. The oblate candidate commits to:

  • attend 5-6 weekend retreats to grow in familiarity and fellowship with the oblate community
  • learn and incorporate Benedictine values into their life
  • grow spiritually through prayer, self-reflection, listening and participation
  • deepen their connection specifically with Holy Wisdom Monastery

Become an oblate candidate

Interested in joining the oblate community at Holy Wisdom? Click the button below to get more information about the community or to be notified when our 2020-2021 cohort begins forming.

Meanwhile, we strongly encourage inquirers to attend an open oblate retreat as a first step in discerning whether the Holy Wisdom oblate community is a good fit for what you seek in your spiritual journey.

Learn more about becoming
an oblate candidate

2020 Oblate gatherings:

  • March 5, 2020
    Faith in the Body
    with Ellen Oak
  • March 6-8, 2020
    Music, Embodiment and the Spirituality of Taize and Iona
    with Ellen Oak
  • May 20, 2020
    Postoned – Cosmology and Consciousness: In Search of the Whole
    with Ilia Delio
  • June 12-14, 2020
    Postoned – Promise Weekend
    with Heather Schmidt
  • September 18-20, 2020
    Simplicity and Minimalism
    with Kyle Kramer
  • November 13-15, 2020
    Monastic Contemplative Retreat: Revisiting Your Rule
    with Cindy Urich
    Oblates and candidates only
Learn more about
becoming an oblate candidateUpcoming oblate retreatsOblate member website
“The Rule of Benedict has been a gift for me.  And the beautiful oblate community has brought me home to a group of kind, gentle, humorous people who also have the need I have to be filled and guided by the Spirit.  The structure of the Rule of Benedict and the experience of drawing and writing my own rule have been both building blocks and encouragement for creating the inner and outer life I intentionally live”
“What draws me to Holy Wisdom is the Rule itself and being a member in an observant, practicing community.  I desire to stand with and in witness to the values and tradition of the Benedictine Way of Life.”
“I especially appreciate Benedict’s statement in chapter 31 that ‘the cellarer will regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing is to be neglected.’  Circumstances may make me feel ‘housebound’ and Benedict reminds me that the household tasks that irritate me are valuable!!”