Oblation
Encyclopedia
Oblation, an offering a term, particularly in ecclesiastical usage, for a solemn offering
or presentation to God.
.
ic service in the Roman Church
. The term is also used in the liturgy of some other churches (for example, the Church of England's Eucharistic Prayer 'C').
In the Roman rite, there are two oblations: the lesser oblation, generally known as the offertory
, in which the bread and wine yet unconsecrated are presented, and the greater oblation, the oblation proper, forming the latter part of the prayer of consecration, when the Body and Blood are ceremonially presented.
The word oblate
is an ecclesiastical term for persons who have devoted themselves or have been devoted as children by their parents to a monastic life. Oblate is more familiar in the Catholic Church as the name of a Religious Congregation of secular or diocesan priests, the Oblate Fathers of St. Charles. They are placed under the absolute authority of the bishop of the diocese in which they are established and can be employed by him on any duties he may think fit. This congregation was founded in 1578 under the name of Oblates of the Blessed Virgin and St. Ambrose
by St. Charles Borromeo
, Archbishop of Milan.
A similar congregation of secular
priests, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was founded at Marseilles in 1815.
, a procedure in which children are separated and cut off from their companion spirit, known as a dæmon. The procedure prevents the attraction of dust, which the Oblation Board hopes will bring back earthly perfection, but in reality eliminates the essence of a true life from children's souls. In crafting the General Oblation Board, author Phillip Pullman alludes to castration and other rituals practiced by the Catholic Church of this world, during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Offering
Offering may refer to:* Offering, a collection of donations during religious worship, see alms, tithe or charity* Offering, a religious sacrifice of plant, animal or human life* Offering , a part of devotional practice*Phan...
or presentation to God.
Bible usage
The Latin Vulgate, and following this many English versions such as the KJV, 1611, uses the word to stand for the meal offering under the Law of MosesLaw of Moses
The Law of Moses is a term first found in Joshua 8:31-32 where Joshua writes the words of "the Law of Moses" on the altar at Mount Ebal. The text continues "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law."...
.
Roman Catholic usage
It is thus applied to certain parts of the EucharistEucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
ic service in the Roman Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. The term is also used in the liturgy of some other churches (for example, the Church of England's Eucharistic Prayer 'C').
In the Roman rite, there are two oblations: the lesser oblation, generally known as the offertory
Offertory
The Offertory is the portion of a Eucharistic service when bread and wine are brought to the altar. The offertory exists in many liturgical Christian denominations, though the Eucharistic theology varies among celebrations conducted by these denominations....
, in which the bread and wine yet unconsecrated are presented, and the greater oblation, the oblation proper, forming the latter part of the prayer of consecration, when the Body and Blood are ceremonially presented.
The word oblate
Oblate (religion)
An oblate in Christian monasticism is a person who is specifically dedicated to God or to God's service. Currently, oblate has two meanings:...
is an ecclesiastical term for persons who have devoted themselves or have been devoted as children by their parents to a monastic life. Oblate is more familiar in the Catholic Church as the name of a Religious Congregation of secular or diocesan priests, the Oblate Fathers of St. Charles. They are placed under the absolute authority of the bishop of the diocese in which they are established and can be employed by him on any duties he may think fit. This congregation was founded in 1578 under the name of Oblates of the Blessed Virgin and St. Ambrose
Ambrose
Aurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as Saint Ambrose , was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church.-Political career:Ambrose was born into a Roman Christian family between about...
by St. Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo was the cardinal archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Milan from 1564 to 1584. He was a leading figure during the Counter-Reformation and was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church, including the founding of seminaries for the education of priests...
, Archbishop of Milan.
A similar congregation of secular
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
priests, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was founded at Marseilles in 1815.
Popular culture
In the fictional "His Dark Materials" trilogy, the General Oblation Board is an institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Its principal aim is the destruction of cosmic "dust", which is believed to be a manifestation of original sin. Led by Mrs. Marisa Coulter, one of the Oblation Board's principal activities is the implementation of intercisionIntercision
Intercision is a type of fictional operation in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy that separates an individual from their dæmon. In effect, the operation separates the person from his or her soul, while leaving the person alive, though having the behavioral and cognitive characteristics...
, a procedure in which children are separated and cut off from their companion spirit, known as a dæmon. The procedure prevents the attraction of dust, which the Oblation Board hopes will bring back earthly perfection, but in reality eliminates the essence of a true life from children's souls. In crafting the General Oblation Board, author Phillip Pullman alludes to castration and other rituals practiced by the Catholic Church of this world, during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.