WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN OBLATE
OF
EPISCOPAL CARMEL OF SAINT TERESA?

Oblate novices, Sally Goodall, John Robison, and Marian McDonald lead the Rogation Procession back into the monastery.

Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa is blessed to have Oblates as part of our community. Oblates are sometimes called Third Order members. They come from all walks of life and may be men or women, single or married. “Oblature” means “to be offered”, and to offer oneself to God’s service in a particular way and as part of a particular community. Our Oblates offer their lives with the other members of Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa.

An Oblate is responding to God’s call to live a life dedicated to the ideals of Carmelite Spirituality as expressed by our community. The first key is that the Oblate is called. Oblature is a freely offered response of love to the initiating love of God. It is our “yes” to the love of God reaching out to us, embracing us, and inviting us to live our lives as Oblate members of Episcopal Carmel of saint Teresa. It is God who initiates the call. It is God who draws us into this special relationship and challenges us with this particular vocation, and it is God who provides the strength and means for us to fulfill our obligations.

A BIT OF THE STORY

The Carmelite Order evolved from a group of hermits living in solitude on Mount Carmel in the 12th century who, referring to Old Testament times, traditionally connected their life to that of the prophet Elijah. They witnessed to the power of prayer and the pervasive presence of God.

Oblates and Associates with Sister Teresa Irene at the Oblate Study weekend in February 2007

The first Rule was written by Albert, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the request of the hermits. It is simple, but not easy, and provides a balance between the silence and solitude of the hermit life, and community, friendship and relationship with God present in our brothers and sisters.
 
When the brothers built their first chapel on Mount Carmel they dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. She was to them Mother, Sister and friend. Her example of holding all within the silence of her heart, of pondering, of being quietly, lovingly present, even to keeping vigil at the foot of the cross on Good Friday, provides the inspiration for all Carmelite life.
 
Teresa of Avila, a Spanish Carmelite nun of the 16th century was called to renew and revive the original vision of the Order. She wisely called the nuns to live like hermits but in the context of community to take their meals together, pray together, recreate together and live each day in a spirit of joy, wonder and intimacy with God.
 
Teresa’s wisdom, common sense and good humor guides the Episcopal Carmel dedicated to her. Oblates of Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa share in the vision of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux and Elizabeth of the Trinity among many other Carmelite Saints.
 
MINISTRY

Carmelite spirituality, may appear isolationist, but it is actually a call to ministry and involvement with the needs, sorrows, and brokenness of the world. Each Carmelite nun answers God’s call, as Therese put it, “to be love in the heart of the world”. She carries in prayerful silence the pain and concerns of all sharing life on this planet and stands bearing them in prayer before the Presence of God. She tries to make herself totally available to God on behalf of the needs of all the world. She lives a life of total openness to God ….. a life of being detached from all that would prevent her total availability, and sacrifice offered for the sake of all people and creation. She is a contradiction and a prophetic witness. While living a hidden semi-enclosed life she ministers to all creation.
 
Oblates, also offer themselves totally. They join the nuns in this ministry of holding before God, but they also carry this ministry out into the world around them. They not only prayerfully support those who carry water to the thirsty, and support with prayer those who thirst, they are privileged to hand out cups of cold water.
 
WHAT’S REQUIRED?

Oblates of Episcopal Carmel of Teresa, along with all Carmelites, profess their allegiance to Christ as expressed in the Gospel. Scripture is the basis of their life. Prayerful reading and study of Scripture is part of the Rule of each Oblate.
 
Oblates are practicing Christians who are not Oblates or third order members of any other community.
 
They are members in good standing of the Episcopal Church, a Church in communion with the Episcopal Church, or any Church in communion with Canterbury.
 
They believe themselves called to Oblature as members of Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa.
 
Oblates spend at least 30 minuets daily in prayer and meditation. They are expected to recite Morning and Evening Prayer, daily from the Book of Common Prayer or other format of their choice. Night Prayer or Compline is said whenever possible. The Eucharist is attended at least once a week unless prevented by illness or unavoidable circumstance.
 
If possible Oblates make a visit to the monastery at least once a year where they live and work beside the nuns. It is expected that Oblates will do what they can to support the community by offering of their financial resources and talents. These arrangements are agreed upon by the community and each Oblate individually.
 
NEXT??…..SOUNDS INTERESTING….FORMATION. SEEKING

A person, feeling that they might have a call to become an Oblate of Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa, should first contact the community and arrange to speak with one of the nuns and if possible make a visit to the monastery. This contact begins a process of mutual discernment that continues for several years.
 
With the consent of the Prioress of Episcopal Carmel, the person may be admitted as an Oblate Seeker. During this period which lasts approximately one year, the seeker comes to know the community better and to discern what God is asking of them as an Oblate member. During this time the seeker completes a personal spiritual autobiography and with individualized guidance provided by one of the nuns undertakes a period of study of Carmelite Spirituality.
Under normal circumstances the Seeker will spend at least a week living with the nuns and participate in their daily life. The seeker will be introduced to the Oblate Rule or way of life and will begin to undertake some of it’s responsibilities. It is expected that the Seeker will report at least monthly to the nun assigned to guide the Seeker.
 
This time is intended to be one of exploration and listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to ask questions, to try the waters, and to wonder if this might be a leading of God to a deeper commitment to Carmelite life and Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa in particular. At any time the Seeker may withdraw or the Prioress may end the process. By the end of the time of seeking it is expected that the Seeker will be living the Oblate Rule.

NOVITIATE

Having discerned a call to Oblature in Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa and with the consent of the Oblate community and the nuns chapter, the Seeker joins the community and is admitted to a period of further formation and training as a Oblate Novice.
 
The novice Oblate is given a habit of the community to wear when at the monastery and may, with permission, add a dedication to their name. A novice Oblate may within the community be addressed as “Sister” or "Brother”. The novice Oblate continues to live the Oblate Rule with an ever deepening understanding of it’s implications for their individual life experience and ministry. The novice Oblate continues to work with a nun of the community and an individually directed program of study will be undertaken leading to a wider appreciation of the Carmelite life and ministry. The novice Oblate continues to report monthly. It is expected that the novice Oblate will spend a minimum of a week at the monastery and will participate when possible in Oblate related programs. The novitiate period lasts a minimum of one year.
 
OBLATE PROMISES

Having discerned and tested a call to Oblature in Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa and with the consent of the Oblate community and the nuns chapter, the Seeker makes a promise for one year to live under the Oblate Rule and as an Oblate member of Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa. Oblates may chose to remain under annual promises or, after a minimum of five years, and with permission of the Oblate community and the nuns chapter, promises may be renewed for life.