Join a community grounded in love
Become an Oblate
Oblate = Offering
Oblates of St. Benedict offer themselves for service to God and others. By integrating prayer and work, they manifest Christ’s presence in the world through their own families, friends, and work relationships. The oblates also form a community among themselves and the sisters.
Benedictine Oblates do not take vows and usually do not live at Benet Hill. They do make promises to seek God more intensely through the Rule of St. Benedict in partnership with their Benedictine community in conjunction with their day-to-day lives.
"Being an Oblate is something deeper than being drawn to Benedictine spirituality. It is learning to love Benedictine spirituality in community, this community of Benet Hill Monastery. The sisters share how to live it, the blessings and challenges, every day."
What is an Oblate?
Oblates are adults who desire to seek God by living in harmony with the spirit of Saint Benedict as revealed in the Rule of St. Benedict and its contemporary expressions.
Why become an oblate?
Individuals and couples who have a strong desire to find God and participate in a community grounded in love may wish to take this step. Oblates associate themselves with a particular Benedictine monastery so that they may share in the spiritual life, prayers and works of the community. By embracing the Benedictine way of life, they strive to live full lives by efforts to understand Christ’s teaching in the Scriptures.
Featured Oblate
Dr. Ellen Haroutunian, PhD, ObISB
“I began to learn about Benedictine spirituality and oblates in the mid 1990’s. I was so drawn to the monastic way that I asked God if I could become an oblate though I had no idea how that would happen! Years later when I trained as a spiritual director with Benet Hill, the possibility of becoming an oblate opened up to me. God did not forget my desire!
My practice as a spiritual director has allowed me to bear witness to the spiritual journeys of many younger folks who are struggling with the big problems of faith in our nation, yet who are very drawn to a contemplative way of seeking God. Amidst this very secular and cynical world, they see real hope in Benedictine spirituality which is a path of deep conversion, of becoming like Christ and being transformed by a community of love.
In the presence of the Sisters, I experience not only a loving welcome, but a deep sense of inner stillness and peace that is surely the fruit of walking in the Benedict way—which is the way of Christ—for so long. In them I see the fruits of their many decades of faithfulness in the Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Divina, and living as true community in obedience, humility, and stability. And they continue to invite us further in, to love and to serve and to assist them to carry the Benedictine way into the future.”
"Benedict’s insistence that we welcome everyone as Christ was a life changing call for me. I believe it contributes to making peace in this fragmented world."
Featured Oblate
Krista Dias, ObISB
“My journey to becoming an oblate started in childhood. I grew up with two parents who were drawn to contemplative life, though it was different for each of them. My father is a Buddhist and he brought me to Zen Mountain Monastery in NY. And my Mother would bring me to the Roman Catholic Abbey of St. Walburga. It is now, north of here in Virginia Dale, but when I was a child it was in Boulder where I grew up. I remember watching the sisters bake thorough the window. My mother loved them and she felt drawn to being an oblate. She was the one who taught me what oblates are. Though she never became one. I continued to feel drawn to spend time with the sisters there, and did when there were major life events. I went on retreat with her there for a couple days before our wedding.
I am now a priest in the Episcopal Church. I’m the Rector at St. Luke’s in Fort Collins. I met the sisters at Benet Hill Monastery when I was serving as a priest in Colorado Springs. Sister Clare, became my Spiritual Director and she still is. The sisters’ values align with mine in so many ways, and I knew I was at home with them. We share a devotion to prayer striving for peace and justice and respecting all people.
The idea of being an oblate has nagged at me for all these years as I have felt so grounded in religious communities. The sense of right timing, a call to put one foot forward to begin my formation and become an oblate became very clear two years ago. I had this sense that I needed to go deeper in faith. I had a sabbatical and as it approached my feeling was that I just wanted to sit still and pray. I wanted to listen for what God has for me. I wanted to sink in to the religious life. I made my profession as an oblate in 2025.
Believe it or not, even as I work in a church and teach and lead worship, it is not always easy to find time to pray and listen and learn and deepen my own faith. Being an oblate helps with this. I have learned and grown and come closer to God and developed my faith so much from this study of the Rule.
Now, I don’t know about you. But there have been times in my life when I have heard a teaching from scripture and thought well that sounds really great. But how do we do it? Sayings I see on bumper stickers like, Be still and know that I am God. Great. But how? Let Jesus lead your life. But how? Or the great bracelets. What would Jesus do? Great to wonder, but how do we know?
Benedict’s Rule gives me tools for living the Christian life and living in community. It grounds my own faith as I lead a faith community. I am forever grateful for the sisters of Benet Hill, my fellow oblates and the Rule. “
"Believe it or not, even as I work in a church and teach and lead worship, it is not always easy to find time to pray and listen and learn and deepen my own faith. Being an oblate helps with this."
Oblates in action
There are so many ways to support the mission of Benet Hill. Join the Care of Creation Covenant Group or the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. Take part in the Spiritual Formation Covenant Group. Serve on the Worship Liturgy Team or OAAT (Oblates Advisory and Action Team). The possibilities are practically endless, and your enthusiasm and ideas are welcome!
Who is an
Oblate?
People like the ones pictured here on July 13, 2025 - newly professed oblates and oblate novices.
No! Many of our oblates live in other cities, states, and even other countries.
The oblate candidate is expected to attend a once month, first Saturday meeting, January-July the following year. If the candidate is online, they will be expected to join the group on the first Saturdays by Zoom, as well.
Each candidate is asked to write a one-page reflection on the content presented each month. It is for the purpose of integration of all that is presented.
The basic commitment is to live out the values expressed in the Rule of Benedict whatever your station is in life. Yes, it is a lifetime commitment.
Benet Hill Oblates are involved in their own communities and at the monastery in acts of service as volunteers. The options are truly endless. Oblates also participate in Covenant Groups with the Sisters.
Reach out and contact us through the information below. We’ll be happy to talk with you!
No, we are oblates from all traditions. The only expectation is that one is Christian
No, we have both men and women oblates.
It is an 18 month program, beginning in January.
The process takes about eighteen months through an intentional course of study. The next cohort begins January, 2026 and will continue through oblation, July, 2027. Classes are hybrid, meeting monthly online or in person at the monastery.
The Oblate Advisory & Action Team (OAAT) leads the program with the able assistant of Sister Clare Carr, OSB.
Yes, we have bi-yearly retreats for the oblates and covenant groups that can be joined. The covenant groups include: Ongoing formation in both Colorado Springs and Denver once a month, A book club monthly, and Care of the earth group,
They are a discerned group who help to train and supervise the Oblate community.
There is no cost to the program.
Covenant groups of sisters and oblates form around a common interest. Currently, there are three very active groups: Care of the Earth, Benedictine Spirituality and Ongoing Education, and Denver Oblates Ongoing Formation.
That is not a problem. We have an online option. However, it would be important that an oblate get to know the community, requiring a visit at least once a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
People like the ones pictured here on July 9, 2023 - newly professed oblates and oblate novices.
The Oblate Advisory & Action Team (OAAT) leads the program with the able assistant of Sister Clare Carr, OSB.
The process takes about a year through an intentional course of study, usually from July to July. Classes meet monthly, either online or in person.
No! Many of our oblates live in other cities, states, and even other countries.
Reach out and contact us through the information below. We’ll be happy to talk with you!
Benet Hill Oblates are involved in their own communities and at the monastery in acts of service as volunteers. The options are truly endless. Oblates also participate in Covenant Groups with the Sisters.
Covenant groups of sisters and oblates form around a common interest. Currently, there are three very active groups: Care of the Earth, Benedictine Spirituality and Ongoing Education, and Denver Oblates Ongoing Formation.
Take the next step
Get curious in your faith
Learn the Benedictine way
Connect with us to learn more about what it means to become an Oblate and follow the Benedictine way.
Sister Clare Carr, OSB
- 719-633-0655
- sclare@benethillmonastery.org