Who Is Called to Be a Franciscan
Oblate of the Holy Spirit?
Membership in the Franciscan Oblates of the Holy Spirit is open to all those who have committed themselves to follow Jesus Christ through baptism and are at least eighteen years of age. Oblation is open to male or female, lay or cleric, married or single persons who affirm a belief in the articles of the Nicene Creed and uphold the traditional church teaching on human sexuality and the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. A person should wish to deepen their commitment to the Christian life by studying and following the Rule. Any Christian should be in good standing with his or her particular denomination. The person must have a genuine desire to seek God with the help of the Rule.
The Act of Oblation is not a vow and thus does not carry with it the binding force of monastic profession, nor does it bind under sin. Its obligation need not be life-long. The Warden or the Oblate can terminate it at any moment. On the other hand, it should not be looked upon as of no consequence, since it involves the giving of oneself to God in a solemn way. As in all matters of Christian decision, one should basically be asking, "Does God want me to do this?" In this specific case one should ask, "Does God want me to become an Oblate?" In other words, "will becoming an Oblate draw me closer to Christ and the Church given my state in life and other responsibilities?" A genuine desire to grow in holiness and a sense of gratitude for the gift of contact with the Rule and other Oblates can generally be taken to be a sign of God's call.
The person seeking to be an Oblate should "truly seek God, show eagerness for the work of God, and display obedience and patience in trials.
|
