The term “oblate” translates to “offer” in Latin or, in the Benedictine tradition, “one who is offered.” St. Benedict, a patron of the Institute of Christ the King, coined the term in the sixth century to refer to permanent members of his monastic community who were not monks but who chose to live according to his rule.
Similarly, oblates within the Institute of Christ the King are not priests but serve as assistants to the priests, not infrequently being referred to as "guardian angels of the priests." Institute oblates are considered full members with all the rights and duties that entails. According to their skills and prparation, they work in a wide variety of positions within the Institute: deacon, art director, office administrator, sacristan, teacher, gardener, organist, accountant, and cook. They take part in all official liturgies and are trained to participate in different functions to enhance the solemnity of liturgical celebrations.
What is an oblate?
learn more through our
oblate video series
trailer
Have you met a member of the Institute’s clerical oblates?
These young men offer their diverse talents to Christ the King by helping the priestly members of the Institute in their apostolic duties. Through the reception of the clerical tonsure and the minor orders, their life of service is transformed into a participation in Christ’s mission from the Father to glorify the Most Holy Trinity and to save souls.
Yet you may have many questions!
What does it take to become an oblate?
How are they formed spiritually and intellectually for their future lives in service of Christ our King?
What does an oblate do each day?
To help illustrate in a more clear and vivid manner this beautiful vocation to the clerical oblatehood, the Institute is proud to announce an exciting, new four-part video series highlighting, for the first time, the lives of these men. To whet your appetite, we warmly invite you to watch this trailer highlighting some of the content that you will see in the series! In your charity, please do not forget to pray for the oblates working hard to spread the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ in all spheres of human life! If you perhaps feel called to assist them in a more physical manner, you are most welcome to donate to help their formation below as well. May God bless you and reward you for your care of our clerical oblates!
Part one
We hope the trailer video was able to stir up some excitement for our video series: Guardian Angels of the Priests.
To learn what an oblate of the Institute of Christ the King does, it would perhaps be more important to know first what an oblate is.
Is the oblate a man of service?
A man of prayer? Even perhaps, a brother?
Hoping that you may find some answers, we invite you to watch this first episode below, Guardian Angels of the Priests: Part One.
Please do not forget to continue to pray for the oblates working hard to spread the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ in all spheres of human life! They are grateful for your prayers and will pray for you in return. If you perhaps feel called to assist them in a more physical manner, you are most welcome to donate to help their formation below as well.
May God bless you and reward you for your care of our clerical oblates! Please stay tuned next week as we continue with the next installment of this series.
Part two
The members of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest can be seen as a religious family, like a large tree with different branches. There are the Canons of the Institute, as well as the Sister Adorers and the Clerical Oblates.
How does the oblate branch interconnect with the others?
How is it unique?
To find out more, we invite you to watch Guardian Angels of the Priests: Part Two.
Please do not forget to continue to pray for the oblates working hard to spread the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ in all spheres of human life! They are grateful for your prayers and will pray for you in return. If you perhaps feel called to assist them in a more physical manner, you are most welcome to donate to help their formation below as well.
May God bless you and reward you for your care of our clerical oblates! We hope you will stay tuned as we continue with the next installment of this series.
Support
the oblates
The oblatehood within the Institute has truly been a special gift from Christ the King to all of us. Our oblates’ continuous display of service and charity, after the example of the Lord and His Blessed Mother, has been instrumental in inspiring many toward leading a more dedicated Catholic life, conversions to the Catholic faith, and bringing back those who have fallen away. In your charity, please consider making a monthly donation to help support our dear oblates.
worldwide resources
Are you interested in a religious vocation but not in the United States?
Msgr. Gilles Wach, the founder and prior general of the Institute, has always stressed that the Institute is neither French, German, English, Swedish, Italian, American, nor European, African, nor Asian, but Roman Catholic. The Institute's Motherhouse is near Florence, Italy, and our mission is to spread the reign of Christ in all spheres of human life by drawing from the millennial treasury of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly her liturgical tradition, the unbroken line of spiritual thought and practice of her Saints, and her cultural patrimony in music, art and architecture.
