Meet the Oblates
Our lay members are called oblates. Oblates are men and women, married or single, active in any Christian denomination, who closely associate themselves with the Monastery of St. Gertrude through an initiation process and formal oblation (promise).
The Oblate Community has nine area groups:
- Treasure Valley (Boise, Idaho area)
- Prairie (Cottonwood, Idaho area)
- Lewiston, Idaho
- Palouse (Moscow, Idaho and Pullman, Washington area)
- McCall, Idaho
- Spokane, Washington
- North Idaho (Coeur d’Alene area)
- Big Sky (Western Montana)
- Puget Sound, Washington
Meet our oblate leaders:
Nadine Grady
Connections Coordinator
Oblate since: 2003
What being an oblate means to me:
Benedict’s teachings and values have been important to me since I first heard of them in the 1980s and began striving for a balance of prayer, study, and holy action in my life. Being an oblate means that I’m serious about it, and that I’m not doing it alone. I have committed to being in a community where we support each other, and are accountable to each other, as we live into our Benedictine values.
Alyse Cadez
Lead Coordinator
Oblate since: 1995
What being an oblate means to me:
Being an oblate means The Rule of Benedict is now the guide and story of my spiritual journey. By sharing my story I will extend my spiritual relationship to the landscape we all share, and expand my respect for traditions different from my own.
I will to the best of my ability incorporate balance, stability, holy leisure, and a sense of mindfulness to live a life in which I have all I need to focus on God.
The purpose is to share Benedictine spirituality, values and practices with the world. Accompanying me on this journey is the entire cenobitic and Oblate communities of the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude.
What I gain on this journey and what I then share with each community will help contribute to what is worth doing in this life.
Lyn Russell
Formation Coordinator
Lyn was appointed to the leadership triad as Formation Coordinator in 2025. More of her story is forthcoming!