Oblate Application

 

Please review the following information and complete the form below

Purpose & Mission

The purpose of the Order of St. Anthony is to provide an ordered way of life for both clergy and laity for prayer, spiritual direction, confession, and spiritual friendship and fraternity. We believe entering holy habits like these are formative to the human soul, empowering it to be reflective of God’s glory and making those who participate in them carriers of God’s Kingdom.

The mission of the Order is to engage in the apostolic mission of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by proclaiming, living, and demonstrating the Good News of Christ’s saving love and redemptive rule for the salvation and reconciliation of all people and all creation to the friendship of the Triune God, the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all.

We express this mission by welcoming existing clergy and laity into an ordered life as Oblates in the Order of St. Anthony.

Oblates are individuals who have made a formal, private, time-framed vow (annually renewable or, after three years, for life) to follow the Rule of Life of the Order in their private life as closely as their individual circumstances and prior commitments permit. Oblates are considered full and equal members of the Order of St. Anthony and are distinguished by the letters ObSA after their names.

The Rule of Life

Oblates of the Order of St. Anthony commit to the following for a period of one year:

“The Rule is not intended to be a source of division and condemnation but rather an instrument of communion...It is not intended to be an end in itself but a temporal means toward our eternal life in heaven. Members bind themselves to the Rule, for the Rule defines who we are and what we are for. The ‘Order’ is simply the Rule in practice, and its members are those who practice it.”
— Kevin Seraphim Clay, The Rule of the Brotherhood of the Last Martyrdom

  1. The Daily Office
    Oblates will follow the Daily Office through use of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (or similar breviary). Oblates are asked to pray two offices daily, a morning and evening office.

  2. The Eucharist
    Oblates should receive Eucharist once a week. It is preferable that this be done in the context of the corporate worship service they attend. If the Oblate is a layperson, they should only receive Eucharist from an ordained clergy (either present or with elements previously consecrated).

  3. Spiritual Direction
    Oblates will submit to Spiritual Direction. Spiritual Directors may be from within or outside the Order, and resources are available to help Oblates find a Spiritual Director if necessary.

  4. Confession & Absolution
    Oblates will meet with a Priest Confessor at least once a year for the Rite of Confession/Reconciliation.

  5. Retreats
    Oblates will be invited to participate in the Order’s annual Convocation or other retreats.

  6. Report & Reaffirmation
    Oblates will submit Ember Letters throughout the year which outline their spiritual life, ministerial life, and educational activities, as well as their current joys and challenges.

  7. Self-Denial
    Oblates will fast as physically able, or engage in some activity that helps them put God as the focus of their life. Additionally, Oblates will give a portion of their time, talents, and resources to the Order, their parish, and those in need in their surrounding area.

  8. Support
    Oblates will submit annual dues of $35 per year in support of the Order of St. Anthony

The Vow

Oblates of the Order of St. Anthony promise with vows valid for one year to…

Follow the Rule — as articulated above.

Simplicity in Life — Oblates will learn to live with what they truly need, not frivolously by wants only, and to be good stewards of Creation.

Holiness — Oblates pledge to live holy lives, committing to seek purity in body, mind, and spirit.

Accountability — Oblates of the Order will commit to lives of transformation through the Rule in which they are accountable to one another, their Bishop, and Elders of the Order in love. No member will ever use a position of authority as an instrument of oppression or to take advantage of another in any way. Those in authority will accept the responsibility to lead, instruct, and protect. A position of authority is a call to service rather than an opportunity for personal aggrandizement. Oblates will not slander or engage in disputes, nor should they quarrel among themselves or with others, but rather respond in all humility. They should love one another and express that love by their deeds.

Unity — As unity is at the heart of convergence, Oblates of the Order will respect the various streams/traditions of Christianity. Oblates will support and encourage the participation of other members in their respective stream/tradition when those streams/traditions do not fully embrace all aspects of what the Tradition holds.

The Doctrinal Essentials

We affirm decision-making based on Scripture, Tradition, and Godly wisdom. The Word of God, Incarnate and written, provides the foundation for the following, which doctrines we affirm along with Apostles' and Nicene Creeds:

  1. We affirm the Holy Scriptures…
    as self-attesting and the essence of Truth, which requires our unreserved submission in all areas of our lives. The written Word of God is a unified witness to God's redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. We submit to the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds as guidance for the determination of the doctrines we affirm and emphasize.

  2. As we endeavor to meet the standards of God's love…
    we believe we are to participate in the Great Commission: "Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." We believe that ALL people have value to God—that each one is a dream of God come true (Ps. 139, Acts 17:16-28), whether or not they are people of faith. We believe God is working in every heart in all places at all times. Evangelism is more about helping people discover and surrender to the working of God and his “testimony” already happening in their lives than it is anything else (Acts 14:1-17).

  3. We affirm the Author of Life...
    the stewardship of creation, through environmental preservation, and the protection and validation of the irrevocable and inherent sanctity and dignity of all forms of human life - from conception to the grave. We affirm and pursue the peaceful resolution and reconciliation of conflicts between persons, groups, and nations.

Affirmations and Declarations

Affirmation of Doctrinal Essentials

It is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, by the witness of the Holy Spirit, trusting in the inspiration and supremacy of the Holy Scriptures and with a confirming heart and mind that I affirm the Doctrinal Essentials of the Order of St. Anthony. By my signature, as a faithful and accountable Oblate, I will endeavor, with God’s help, to live in concord with the spirit and intention of the Doctrinal Essentials that I will be asked to reaffirm annually.

Affirmation and Blessing from Spouse (if applicable)

By the signing of this document, I am showing forth my support, affirmation, and blessing of my husband/wife (applicant’s name below). Let it be known that my spouse has my full support and blessing in their decision to become an Oblate in the Order of St. Anthony.

Certificate of Declaration

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I do solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation.

I do believe the teachings and doctrine of the holy catholic Church as they come to us from the ancient historical faith.

I do solemnly purpose to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ’s holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

Statement & Pledge of Unity

As orthodoxy and personal morality is expected, so relationships of trust, mutual support, camaraderie, love, and respect are anticipated.

All Oblates covenant to:

  1. Do nothing to fracture the unity of the Order of St. Anthony. This unity is understood as proceeding from the love of God between us and mutual commitment to the Truth of God received in Christ through the historic, catholic, and apostolic faith.

  2. Uphold and support fellow Oblates both publicly and privately.

  3. Do everything possible to create and contribute to an atmosphere of cooperation.

  4. Deal with differences honestly, forthrightly, and in a straightforward manner.

  5. Settle contention privately in the matter of personal conflict. Should problems persist, adjudication will follow the the Order’s Council of Elders. All Oblates agree to submit to the final decision of the Order of St. Anthony.

  6. Adhere to the standards of the inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God, the Rule, and Vows of the Order of St. Anthony.

  7. Submit $35 (USD) in annual dues through the Order of St. Anthony’s online giving portal.

Failure to maintain both the spirit and the letter of this agreement constitutes grounds for removal as an Oblate in Good Standing in the Order of St. Anthony.

In contrast, we agree to pray for one another daily, respond immediately to need or personal call, stand together in controversy, disagree in charity, and persevere in supporting our corporate calling.