Who are the Oblates of St. Joseph?

The Oblates of St. Joseph are a religious order of priests and brothers founded by St. Joseph Marello in 1878. It was his inspiration to gather together a group of young men who desired to consecrate themselves to the love and service of Jesus in imitation of St. Joseph. He saw a family of priests and brothers all taking vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, living according to the prayerful, humble and dedicated example of St. Joseph. St. Joseph Marello proposed to them a high ideal of uniting an intense spiritual life with a tremendous spirit of service:

"Be Carthusians indoors and Apostles outdoors."

In that one sentence, the Founder condensed profound truth. The Carthusians, known throughout the Church as being the strictest monastic order to date, are for the Oblates an example of a hidden interior life of silence, prayer, and contemplation. However, the Oblates also believe in taking the fruits of that interior life and bringing them to the world. Enter the example of the Apostles, the men who knew Jesus personally, and their fervor to go out into the world and spread the good news of His Gospel. Combining these principles, the Oblates seek both to know Jesus as intimately as possible and to spread that knowledge to as many people as possible, in as many places, in the greatest possible depth.

What Do the Oblates of St. Joseph Do?

St. Joseph Marello, following his inspiration, desired us to be ready to serve Jesus in whatever work and whatever place was most necessary, without seeking to draw attention to ourselves, but working solely out of our love for Christ.
Therefore he desired us to be open to whatever missions Divine Providence sent our way, particularly if they involved assisting the local churches who were short of help, the Christian education of young people, or if they were opportunities to lead people to Christ through the example of St. Joseph. The Oblates began as a small family, but have gradually grown and spread.

Both priests and brothers, while living in a fraternal community, today seek to serve Christ through:

• Loyalty to the Holy Father and the teachings of the Church
• Spreading devotion to St. Joseph
• Pastoral Work in areas suffering a lack of clergy
• Christian Formation and guidance of young people
• Religious Education
• Caring for the Elderly, Immigrants and the Poor
• Spiritual Direction and Retreats
• Foreign Missions

In the United States, the Oblates of St. Joseph work on the east and west coasts where they dedicate themselves primarily to pastoral work and the formation and religious education of young people.

In 1915 the Oblates of St. Joseph were requested by the Holy Father to start their apostolic service abroad, carrying their spirit of St. Joseph to the far corners of the globe. At present, the Oblates of St. Joseph are working in the following countries:

• Italy
• Brazil
• Peru
• Poland
• United States
• Philippines
• Mexico
• Bolivia
• India
• Nigeria
• Australia

Who is called to be an Oblate of St. Joseph?

It is the Lord who chooses and calls those whom he desires "to follow more closely to the Divine Master" (St. Marello).
To help us discern these callings we desire that the men who feel called to join us be:

• Of Good Character and Health
• At least of High School Age

The Preparation of an Oblate will include learning to grow spiritually, the embracing of community life in the form of a family, aspostolic experiences and academic studies beginning at the undergraduate level.

Those who feel called to the brotherhood will be directed to specific forms of apostolic training, while those called to the priesthood will pursue the required studies.