What is an Oblate?
Oblates of Saint Benedict are Christian men and women who strive to live in the secular world according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict. They are not monks or nuns, but they draw inspiration from the Rule and from their ongoing affiliation with a particular Benedictine community for the task of living out the Gospel of Christ in their families and workplaces.
Through their “oblation” or gift of themselves to God, oblates become part of the “extended family” of a particular Benedictine monastery. They are not simply someone who is interested in monastic spirituality. They share in the prayer and the work of the particular monastic community and regard that community as his or her spiritual home. This does not mean that the monastery in any sense competes with one’s local parish or could ever replace it. Oblates carry Benedictine spirituality back to their parish communities, and they share the fruit of their life in the parish and in the world with their monastic community.
The Oblates of Saint Andrew’s Abbey find a pattern for their own spiritual lives in three rhythms of life at Valyermo: silence and speech, solitude and hospitality, and contemplative prayer and liturgy. The oblate program and the process of oblate formation are described in more detail in the Oblate Constitutions.
The Oblates of Saint Andrew’s Abbey meet regularly for prayer and fellowship, both at the Abbey and in local groups. Retreats for oblates and others interested in monastic spirituality are held at the Abbey throughout the year. An afternoon conference for oblates is given one Sunday each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Abbey.

Oblates Meetings
Oblate meetings are held throughout Southern California and at the Abbey on a monthly basis. All are welcome to attend. One does not need to be an oblate to attend. If you would like to join a meeting, please contact the group using the email address provided.
2023 Sunday Conferences
January 15 with Brother John Baptist
February 19 with Fr. Luke
March 19 with Fr. Isaac
April 16 with Fr. Francis
May 28: Pentecost Sunday w/ Abbot Damien
June 18 with Fr. Patrick
July 16 with Fr. Isaac
August 20 with Fr. Francis
September 17 with Fr. Aelred
October 15 with Fr. Angelus
November 19 with Fr. Joseph
December 17 with Fr. Matthew
Contact: Fr. Francis
Leaders: Paul Ford and Janice Daurio
Contact: Saint Andrew’s Abbey
Dates: First Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Beverly Ingram
Dates: Third Saturdays, 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Marianne Dozier or Anne McElravey, (818) 999-6004
Contact: Lance Wiseman, (951) 781-9855 x14
Leaders: Fr. Philip Edwards, O.S.B.
Dates: Third Wednesdays
Contact: Eileen Prendergast, (909) 506-6074
Leaders: Fr. Isaac Kalina O.S.B.
Dates: Last Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
Leaders: Fr. Francis Benedict, O.S.B.
Dates: Third Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Contact: Hope Morrissey, (805) 527-0623
Leaders: Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B.,
Dates: One Friday of the month, 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Mary Kauffman, (714) 665-8730, mystmar29@gmail.com
Leaders: Patrick Sheridan, O.S.B
Dates: Third Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Patti Micelli

Retreats
At Saint Andrew’s
Come join us for one of our many group retreats, or enjoy the opportunity to spend time alone in quiet prayer and solitude.