Latest OMI JPIC News
Oblate Lay Congress Celebrates the 200th Anniversary of the Approval of Oblate Constitutions & Rules August 10th, 2026
The gathering was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois
(Contributed by Br. Lester Antonio Zapata OMI)
After some months of planning, this past weekend (July 31 to August 2, 2026), a 3-day National Gathering of Oblate Laity took place at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL. The last meeting of Oblate Laity for the USA Province was held about 10 years ago. The event marked the 200th anniversary of the Oblate Constitutions and Rules, approved by Pope Leo XII in 1826.
About 40 lay Oblate associates came from California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and New York. They had the opportunity to participate in the 83rd annual Novena to Our Lady of the Snows. Among the attendees was U.S. Provincial Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI, who inaugurated the Congress. Other Oblates who attended were Fr. David Uribe, OMI, Fr. Juan Gaspar OMI, Br. Lester Antonio Zapata and Br. Elisha Chisanga, OMI, also there was Honorary Oblate Mary O’Herron, former OMI JPIC staff.
During our time together, we embraced Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to pray for peace in our world. Each day, we joined our voices with his by praying the Prayer for Peace he led during the Vigil for Peace at Saint Peter’s Basilica on April 11, 2026. “Lord Jesus, you conquered death without weapons or violence: you shattered its power with the strength of peace. Grant us your peace …May the madness of war cease, and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still know how to bring forth, protect and love life.”
Fr. Ray Cook, OMI, inaugurated the gathering and told attendees that each of them has an important call to live out our charisma. Some Oblate associates came from places where the Oblates are no longer staffing any parish or ministry, but they are the ones keeping the charism alive. He explained that the absence of an Oblate priest does not mean the absence of the Oblate charism. He also explained that charism was given by the Holy Spirit to the whole Church. It was never exclusively given to the ordained or vowed Oblate. We are also called to protect and share the charism left to us by St. Eugene de Mazenod.
Fr. Juan Gaspar spoke about the process of forming Oblates to embrace and live the Oblate way of life. Fr. David Uribe, OMI shared on Constitution 8: being close to the people, taking into account their values and aspirations, preaching the Word of God in a simple yet efficient way to reach their hearts, helping them realize their human dignity and daring them to live the gospel.
National Gathering of Oblate Associates in Belleville, IL August 10th, 2026
From July 31 to August 2, a 3-day National Gathering of Oblate Associates happened at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL.
The event was to mark the 200th anniversary of Oblate Constitutions and Rules. Among the attendees was. U.S. Provincial Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI, who inaugurated the Congress.
Oblate Lay Associates are men and women who recognize a Spirit-initiated call to live their baptism enriched by the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod. They volunteer their time to support the mission of the Church through the Oblates.
Photo 1 – Oblates from Florida -The Oblates are no longer in Florida
Photo 2 – (L to R) Mary O’Herron, former OMI JPIC staff & Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate and Br. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI
Photo 3 – Lay Associates attending the gathering
Join Us – “Ten Days of Prayer” for Peace – August 6–15 August 10th, 2026
(Contributed by Fr. Jack Lau, OMI)
This week, Sacred Heart Church, Oakland, CA will be remembering the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan and the over 103 countries involved in some way in a war on Earth.
We will stand with Pope Leo XIV’s conviction that “Peace is built through disarmament, not nuclear weapons.” We will join the people and Oblates in Japan and hold close these “Ten Days of Prayer,” which invites us to reflect on our own responsibility for peace and to take action for peace especially today as we live in a fragile world.
On August 9, Pax Christi North California will be joining us for liturgy at a “Mass of Memory and Mourning and a Call to Conscience.” We will gather for a video introduction and then make lanterns, which we will hang in our church’s Hiroshima Peace Garden.
“May God guide us on paths of non-violence. May believers and people of good will never stop working as builders of peace. May every person make peace on his or her life’s cause.” (Vatican, 2026, June 19)
NOVENA PRAYER CARD: https://bit.ly/3TA6IBq
Fr. Sal de George, OMI Gives Testimony @ U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus & the House Homeland Security Committee Hearing August 4th, 2026
Oversight Forum: “Seeking Justice: Oversight of ICE’s Use of Force in the Death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo
Fr. Sal de George, OMI Gives Testimony @ U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus & the House Homeland Security Committee Hearing
The U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the House Homeland Security Committee held the field hearing in Houston, Harris County, Texas, on July 24, 2026.
Fr. Sal de George, OMI spoke about the suffering and pain that have been visited upon the victim’s family and immigrant community In the neighborhood of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where the Oblates minister.
(Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI)
WATCH:
10 Days for Peace August 4th, 2026
(Contributed by Fr. Brad Rozairo, OMI)
It’s That Time of the Year in Japan…
As the month of August begins, I am reminded of the “Ten Days for Peace”. In February 1981, the late Pope Saint John Paul II delivered his ‘Appeal for Peace’ at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, stating: ‘War is the work of human hands. War is the destruction of human life. War is death.’ This appeal was an invitation to all people throughout the world to work towards the abolition of nuclear weapons and to strive for peace.
In response to Pope Saint John Paul II’s appeal, the Catholic Church in Japan designated the period from 6 to 15 August as the “Ten Days for Peace”. This is a special period during which we are invited to reflect on our responsibility for peace and to take action for peace especially today as we live in a fragile world.
Every year, the “Ten Days for Peace” takes me to Hiroshima. From my own experience, this special period serves as an opportunity for Christians as well as for people of other faiths across Japan to pray and to engage in peace activities. On August 6th , people from all over Japan and also from abroad visit Hiroshima to remember the unforgettable past and to pray for peace. In spite of the sweltering heat, the place gets crowded with people.
…”Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.”
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