Postulate -The term "postulate" is used in religious orders to describe someone that is making inquiry into membership in the Order. Upon the receipt and approval of your application, you will become a postulate. As a postulant you will receive information on the order (the rule, yearly requirements, expectations, et cetera). After a period of three months (if you wish to continue in the Order) you will be elevated to the position of novice and assigned a spiritual director. Novice -The word novice, which among the Romans meant a newly acquired slave, and which is now used to denote an inexperienced person, is the canonical Latin name of those who, having been regularly admitted into the Order, are prepared by study and service for making their full oblation. A person is a novice-oblate for a minimum of 6 months. Novice Master -The novice-master is one of the most important officials in the Order. The novice master supervises the learning of Novice Oblates through the initial six months of their membership to ensure they have been exercised in the Rule and traditional practices of the religious life. The novice master encourages and helps those who show real signs of an Oblates vocation. Oblati - (Oblatae, Oblates) is a word used to describe any persons, not professed monks or friars, who have been offered to God, or have dedicated themselves to God's service, in holy religion. After being a novice for a minimum of one year, you may request "full oblation" or "life profession". The "life profession" mean you are committing yourself to The Oblates of the Holy Spirit for life. It is not required and you may do it any time. Prior -In the Oblates of the Holy Spirit Religious Order, the office of Prior is that of a claustral prior. The claustral prior holds first place after the abbot, whom he/she assists in the government of the Order and whose place he/she supplies in the Abbot’s absence. The prior’s jurisdiction is, therefore, a delegated one and extends just as far as the abbot desires, or the constitutions of the Order prescribe. He/She is appointed or dismissed by the abbot, generally after a consultation with the executive board of the Order. Abbot -The name is derived from abba, the Syriac form of the Hebrew word ab, and means “father.” In Syria, where it had its origin, and in Egypt, it was first employed as a title of honor and respect, and was given to any monk of venerable age or of eminent sanctity. The title did not originally imply the exercise of any authority over a religious community. From the East, the word passed over to the West, and here it was soon received into general use to designate the superior of an abbey or a monastery.
Within the Oblates of the Holy Spirit Religious Order, the community of Oblates is distinctly seen as that of a spiritual family. Every individual oblate is a son or daughter of that family, the Abbot its father. Upon the Abbot, therefore, as upon the father of a family, devolves the government and direction of those who are committed to his care.
The obedience shown to the Abbot is regarded as one of great respect and reverence, because as Abbot--father— he is the representative of Christ in the midst of the fellowship. The whole government of a religious house depends upon the Abbot. His will is supreme in all things; yet, nothing is to be taught, commanded, or ordered beyond the precepts of the Lord. All the officials who are to assist him in the government of the Order are appointed by him and have their authority from him. He may dismiss them at his discretion. The Rule -The main principles of the religious life for the Oblates of the Holy Spirit Religious Order.
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