Oblates of Annunciation Monastery
What does it mean to be a Benedictine Oblate?
The Oblates of Annunciation Monastery are Christian individuals or couples who have associated themselves with a Benedictine Community in order to enrich their Christian way of life.
They shape their lives by living the wisdom of Christ as interpreted by St. Benedict. They seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of living. By integrating their prayer and work, they demonstrate Christ's presence in society.
Oblates of Annunciation Monastery concern themselves with striving to be what they are, people of God. Their prayer life flows from this awareness, as does their willingness to offer themselves for the service of God and neighbor to the best of their ability.
These men and women promise to lead an enriched Christian life according to the Gospel as reflected in the Rule of St. Benedict. In this way they are in the spiritual benefits of the women and men of Benedict who are dedicated to the monastic life by vows.
Oblates of Annunciation Monastery: Loann Hardy, Ramona Martinez, Michael Taylor, Audrey Ternes, Cindy Weigum, and Brenda Zastoupil. We are so happy to have you with us as we seek God together!
Thank you and God bless you all!
Welcome Back, Oblates of Annunciation Monastery and Those Interested in the Program
All are welcome at our gatherings! Please bring your friends and share your experiences as oblates. Visitors encouraged!
Each year the monastic community follows a topic for ongoing formation. This program recognizes that we are always beginners, always learning and being open to God's formation in our lives.
Oblate gatherings occur monthly from September through May--usually on the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. During Advent and Lent, a full-day Sunday retreat will occur on the scheduled gathering date.
Oblate Gathering Information 2025/2026
2025--2026 SCHEDULE
Each year the monastic community follows a monastic topic for ongoing formation. This fall, however, the sisters will be working with goal setting as part of our election process as well as other community focused evaluation systems that redirect our formation for the upcoming year. For oblates, the Oblate Advisory Committee has chosen the jubilee topic of hope. The schedule listed below reflects the content of each monthly gathering and the materials that will be discussed that month. Articles for discussion will be provided at least the month prior to the discussion.
Gathering dates:
September 14
12:30 PM -3 PM
Oblate Cindy Weigum was part of a group of Nursing Academy students (Welcome back from the University of Mary on a pilgrimage to sites in Europe. She will Potluck 12:30) discuss her experiences and those of her students.
October 5
1 PM -3 PM
Oblate Sunday. After new oblates have been received, oblates 11:00 Mass present will renew their oblations. Everyone invited for lunch.
November 9
10 AM-3 PM
Sr. Raphaela Cady will present a special session on the Augustinian texts and St. Augustine’s influences on the Rule of St. Benedict. Reading by Thomas Merton distributed in preparation for the Advent retreat.
December 7
10 AM-2:30 PM
The Advent Day of Reflection by Oblate Claudia Dietrich.
This silent day of reflection will offer lunch in silence as an option.
At the end of the retreat, there will be a short discussion of the reading. Please contact us if you are not on our mailing list in order to get the reading. The session ends early for those wishing to attend Christmas at Mary concert. The January reading by Thomas Keating will be distributed.
January 11
1 PM - 3 PM
Keating reading discussed; February reading distributed: Hope & Forgiveness reading from the book Real Mercy.
February article distributed
February 8
1 PM -3 PM
Discuss: Hope and Forgiveness. No reading for March – Retreat
March 8
10 AM -3 PM
Lenten Day of Retreat – TBA -- April reading distributed.
April 12
1 PM -3 PM
Reading to be selected
May 17
12:30 PM -3 PM
Closing Potluck and evaluation of the past year, experiences of service
The Rule of St. Benedict
Formation Program for New Oblates
Pursuing a growing relationship with God through the Benedictine tradition as an oblate is a discernment process similar to the staged process our sisters take.
1. As you feel called to this commitment, oblates begin with a process of Inquiry during which individuals attend gatherings, study the Rule of St. Benedict, and begin conversations with the oblate director.
2. Those wishing to begin formal preparation as an oblate will be received as a Candidate for a period of at least one year. At this time, monthly formation sessions will begin, and an oblate mentor is selected to share the experience of living the oblate life.
3. Formation culminates with a ceremony of Final Oblation celebrated during a Sunday Mass--usually on the first Sunday of October. Oblates are invited annually to renew their oblation as a sign of their recommitment to the Benedictine way of life and affiliation with Annunciation Monastery.
For more information on the Oblates of Annunciation Monastery, please contact our oblate director, Sister Rosemary DeGracia, at 701-255-1520 or by email: oblates@annunciationmonastery.org
If you are not on our oblate mailing list and would like a copy of the most recent newsletter, please let us know.
Thank you and God bless you! We keep you in our prayers.
Sister Rosemary DeGracia, Oblate Director
