The Oblates of the Society of Saint Pius X
Wishing to leave life in the world to live in the spirit of the Society and to assist its works, the Oblate Sisters of the Society of St. Pius X sanctify themselves in contact with the SSPX by making the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the inexhaustible source of their spiritual and religious life.
They have as their model the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Eternal Priest. Like her, they offer their daily life to help in the redemption of souls, especially in the sanctification of priests; they are happy to share in Our Lord’s Sacrifice, following the example of Our Lady of Compassion standing at the foot of the Cross. As members of a society of common life without vows, they pronounce a commitment.
The name “oblate”
The term “oblate”, according to its Latin etymology “oblata”, from the verb “offerre”, means “offered” and expresses the whole oblate vocation.
Indeed, it is more than a mere name of one religious family among many; this title of oblate is an appeal to give oneself totally.
Every novice must understand this when on the day of her oblation, kneeling before the open tabernacle, united with Our Lady of Compassion; she makes to God her offering of herself as a victim with the Divine Victim:
I offer to You my person, my life, all that I have and all that I am, for your greater glory, O my God, for the salvation of my soul, the salvation of all souls, and especially for the sanctification of priests and of future priests.” (Act of Oblation)
One of the SSPX’s four families
Responding in his Letter to Friends and Benefactors no. 5 of 1973 to a question that had been asked him: “Is the Society made up of several families?”, Archbishop Lefebvre answered as follows:
It is made of up the priests and future priests, then of the auxiliary brothers, the oblate sisters, and soon, we hope, the religious sisters of the Society.... Finally, with God’s help we intend to have laymen living in the world profit from the spiritual benefits of the Society.”
In 1980, with the birth of the Third Order of St. Pius X, Archbishop Lefebvre saw the completion of his work as he had planned it with the four families of the Society.
Apostolate
The Statutes stipulate no other goal than dedication to the works of the Society, each according to her talents. The apostolate of the oblates can be as varied as these works themselves.
At the end of her novitiate, the new oblate may be sent either to a priory, or to a school, or to a seminary.
There, within the framework of different sorts of life, in a very humble and sometimes hidden way, she will be able to perform the most varied tasks, depending on her abilities: household chores, sewing, office and secretarial work, catechism, primary and secondary school teaching, nursing care.... Wherever she may be assigned, the oblate sisters will never forget that she is offered in order to serve.
Where do they conduct their apostolate?
The oblate sisters may be called to conduct their apostolate in any place where the Society is established.
In 2014 there are 78 oblates serving in ten countries of the world, chiefly in South Africa, Germany, England, Canada, France, Kenya, Mexico and the Philippines.
How does one enter the oblates?
In order to enter the oblates one must apply to the SSPX’s Superior General.
It is advisable for this step to be approved by the district superior with the recommendation of a priest.
Contacts:
Noviciat Ste Thérèse
1922 Salvan (VS)
Switzerland
T: +011 [41](27) 761 2128