The Oblate Program
Oblates are lay Christians who form a spiritual bond with our monastery, sharing in the Benedictine tradition of prayer, work, and sacred reading while living out their vocations in the world. Through regular prayer and ongoing formation, oblates participate in the liturgical and communal life of Mother of the Redeemer Monastery.
Oblates are invited to join the community for major celebrations, including Mass with the bishop on solemnities such as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Their presence enriches both the monastery and the wider Church.
The Oblate Program at Mother of the Redeemer Monastery offers lay Christians a meaningful way to deepen their spiritual lives through the Benedictine tradition. Oblates are men and women who, while living their everyday vocations in the world, form a spiritual bond with the monastic community. This bond is nurtured through regular prayer, sacred reading, and ongoing formation that draws on the wisdom of Saint Benedict's Rule. By participating in this ancient rhythm of prayer and work, oblates find that their faith is strengthened and their daily lives are transformed, bringing the peace and stability of monastic spirituality into their homes, workplaces, and parishes.
The oblate community is a vibrant and welcoming group that gathers regularly for fellowship, formation sessions, and shared prayer. Members support one another in their spiritual journeys, building lasting friendships rooted in a common commitment to the Benedictine way of life. The monastery warmly invites oblates to join in its major celebrations and liturgical feasts, where they experience firsthand the beauty and richness of the community's prayer life. Through these gatherings, oblates not only grow in their own faith but also contribute their gifts and presence to the life of the monastery, creating a mutual exchange of grace and encouragement.
For those discerning whether God is calling them to this path, the oblate way of life offers a gentle and flexible entry into monastic spirituality without requiring a move to the monastery or a change in one's state in life. Oblates learn to sanctify their ordinary routines, discovering how work, family responsibilities, and community involvement can all become occasions for prayer and union with God. The program is designed to meet people where they are, offering practical guidance and spiritual support suited to the demands of modern life. In this way, the oblate vocation becomes a bridge between the cloister and the world, carrying the blessings of the monastery into every corner of daily existence.
Oblate Community
Fr. Taj Glodd
Fr. Taj Glodd, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Plaisance, became an oblate novice of Mother of the Redeemer Monastery. His commitment reflects the deep connection between parish life and the Benedictine spiritual tradition in the Diocese of Lafayette.
Oblates come from varied walks of life — clergy and laity alike — united by a desire to seek God through the wisdom of St. Benedict. The oblate program offers a structured path of prayer, study, and participation in the monastery's rhythm of life.
Becoming an Oblate
Those interested in the oblate way of life are encouraged to learn more about the Benedictine tradition and to visit the monastery. The process typically begins with a period of inquiry and discernment, followed by formation as an oblate novice, leading eventually to a formal act of oblation.
For more information about the oblate program, please contact the monastery or speak with a member of the community during your visit.