Associates of the

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Click on one of the following links to find out more information on the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Associate Program:

• What is an Oblates Associate?

• What does the Oblates Associate Program have to offer me?

• What do I have to do as an Oblate Associate?

• How long am I an Oblate Associate?

• Who do I contact to get more information?

• Where can I read more about the Oblates Associates?

Facebook Group:  OSFS Associates

 What is an Oblates Associate?

Associates gather for the end-of-the-summer social at Gesu Parish in Toledo.  Several times a year opportunities for prayer, fun and networking are offered to men discerning Oblate life.

An Oblates Associate is a gentleman, college age or older, who wants to examine his life in relationship to the Oblate life.  The process which takes place during the Associate Program will help him determine whether or not the Lord is calling him to be an Oblate Brother or Priest - so that walking in the footsteps of the Lord, he may "live Jesus!"

What does the Oblates Associate Program offer you?

With the guidance of an Oblate, you will have the opportunity to: 

• explore your talents and potential, and work with your limitations and weaknesses, in order to discover your true worth as an individual

• develop your commitment to a Christian life

• learn more about Religious Life - life as a brother or priest - and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

• Become acquainted with the individual Oblates as they live out their lives in a community setting

• Share moments of prayer, worship, discussion, reading, reflection and relaxation with the Oblates; and

• seriously consider Oblate life as a formal option for yourself and make an informed decision for entrance into the Oblates

What would I be asked to do as

an Oblates Associate?

While continuing in your current lifestyle, you, your Oblate contact and the Vocation Director would:

• share the responsibility of initiating and maintaining contact with one another;

• design a reading program on such topics as Christianity, Salesian Spirituality, Religious Life and Human Development;

• arrange periodic visits to various Oblate communities.

Each year that you are in the program, you will be invited to participate in social and retreat gatherings offered throughout the year. 

How long would the Oblates Associate Program last for me?

The program would last until you reach a clear decision about your vocation or decide to leave the program.

Usually, this program coincides with the Associate's undergraduate or graduate college years or his early work experience.

How may I obtain more information on the Oblate Associate Program?

Contact:

Fr. Marty Lukas, OSFS

Vocation Director

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Toledo-Detroit Province

Associate Program Provides Step into Religious Life

For the Toledo Catholic Chronicle

College is a great time to experiment.  Many college students find themselves challenged to balance an academic and social life sometimes leaving little time for an active faith life.  The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales spend time working with college students and those recently out of undergraduate studies through their Associate program.

The Associate program offers men a chance to “officially” befriend and gather with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales while considering a vocation to religious life.  Associate social gatherings, retreats and joining the Oblates during their annual convocation, help men discerning religious life to learn more about who the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales are and what they do.

Associates are invited to begin basic reading about St. Francis de Sales and asked during their college and post-college years to live a Christian young-adult life.  This can include majoring in an area of interest to an individual, dating and choosing an initial career.  During all of these experiences, an Associate is asked to discern how is God speaking and directing him?  What brings him joy?  Where does he feel most at home?  What is most life-giving? 

Fr. Marty Lukas, OSFS, who lives at Gesu Parish, Toledo, speaks of the Oblates’ formation program using the image of concentric circles.  “I tell the Associates, before they join the associate program, they are on the outside of the circle, curiously looking inward.  The Associate program is the first step into the circle.  It’s up to the Associates, with the help of the Oblates, to decide on the next step.”

Associates are invited to consider entering the Oblates as postulants when they complete their bachelor’s degree.  As a postulant, a man lives in community with the Oblates and works in an Oblate apostolate earning a salary and paying his own expenses, while learning to live in community and balance a life of prayer and ministry.  When the Oblates and the postulant feel he is ready, the postulant is invited to request admission to the Novitiate and prepare to profess vows of chastity, poverty and obedience as an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales.

“It all starts with that first step in.  Francis de Sales teaches that in seeking a vocation in life, we’ve got to come to a resolution and then work toward making it a reality.  The Associate program is our way of helping to make that happen.”

To learn more about the Associate Program and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, Toledo-Detroit Province, contact Fr. Marty Lukas, OSFS at 419-724-9851 or on the web, www.oblates.us/vocations.htm.