An "oblation" is an offering or gift to God. Oblates are men and women who offer their lives to God.  Benedictine oblates maintain a stable and life-long spiritual union with one monastery.  Oblates live outside a monastery, wear regular clothes, and often have a spouse and job.

Benedictine oblates draw on deep spirituality by praying the Divine Office and following the 1,500 year old Rule of St. Benedict as their schedule permits.

Benedictine oblates pursue lectio divina (divine reading), and silent contemplative prayer, and oblates strive for the monastic lifestyle as their state in life allows.

Benedictine oblates prefer nothing to the love of Christ and oblates support a spirit of gentle community among themselves in their Oblate program at the monastery.  Many monasteries have such Oblate programs.