News Archives » St. Eugene De Mazenod
Video: United in Mission: The Evolution and Impact of the Congregation’s Joint Sessions July 10th, 2024
(Republished from OMIUSA.ORG)
The Central Government members are visiting the Oblates and charismatic family members in the Canada–United States Region in preparation for the Joint Session in Washington DC from July 7th to 13th. Have you ever wondered about the history of these sessions and their impact on the congregation?
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) have a rich history of evangelization and closeness to the poor. The Joint Sessions are critical to this mission, providing a platform for collaboration, reflection, and strategic planning.
St. Eugene de Mazenod, our founder, emphasized unity, collective discernment, and mutual support among Oblates to effectively serve the poor and the Church. This laid the foundation for Joint Sessions. Initially, these were informal gatherings to discuss issues, share experiences, and find solutions.
As the importance of these meetings grew, they became formalized. By the mid-20th century, Joint Sessions were regular events on the Congregation’s calendar, reflecting a commitment to ongoing formation, collaboration, and spiritual growth to enhance the Congregation’s mission worldwide.
The main goal of the Joint Sessions is to foster unity and collaboration among regional members and the central government. These sessions encourage open communication, building trust, and mutual support. They also provide a forum to discuss and address challenges the Congregation faces in specific regions.
Joint Sessions include plenary sessions, workshops, group discussions, and spiritual reflections. This comprehensive approach addresses both practical and spiritual aspects of missionary work, reinforcing the Congregation’s identity and mission to evangelize the poor and marginalized.
Celebrating 208 Years of Community! January 26th, 2024
By Jorge ALBERGATI, OMI, General Councilor for Latin America
Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG
Click here to see the article en Español
Greetings from the Central Government as we commemorate the 208 years of the First Community of the Congregation.
On January 25, 1816, the day the Church celebrates the conversion of Saint Paul, marks the beginning of our missionary family in Aix. As our history narrates, Eugene de Mazenod and his small group of missionaries officially move into the old Carmel Convent of Aix and experience community life. From day one, they strove to practice religious and communal life virtues within their small group, engaging in mission preaching and working with the youth.
For our missionary family, it has been 208 years of faithfulness to this received gift, walking with the people, serving the poor and most abandoned, especially the youth. The approach chosen by Eugene de Mazenod and his first companions in the mission was to work together as a community.
Recently, the central government and members of the Aix Community gathered at the General House in Rome. It was a profound encounter to share our lives, vocation stories, community life, and current mission. It was a moment to live the essentials, to unite in our following of Jesus, and to view our personal history through the eyes of the Crucified Savior, reviving the spirit of the first Oblate community. As Pope Francis stated, “Being a neighbor is an everyday task because selfishness pulls you down, being a neighbor is going out.’” (PEC Discourse by Pope Francis)
READ FULL ARTICLE ON OMIWORLD’S WEBSITE: https://www.omiusa.org/index.php/2024/01/24/celebrating-208-years-of-community/
St. Eugene de Mazenod: The Whole Story May 21st, 2018
St Eugene de Mazenod: “The Other Side of Struggle”
Republished from OMIUSA.ORG
As we remember St Eugene de Mazenod on the anniversary of his death, May 21, 1861, we’re offering you the opportunity to see his whole story told in three, 15-minute videos produced by the U.S. Province Office of Mission Enrichment and Oblate Associates. Click the link below to watch the videos in English and Spanish.
U.S. Provincial’s Vision Statement of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate March 20th, 2018
By Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, Provincial, U.S. Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, U.S.Provincial
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are an international, intentionally intercultural Roman Catholic religious community whose purpose is to evangelize the poor and abandoned with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Founded in 1816 in France by St. Eugene de Mazenod, we currently serve in 68 countries of the world. We number 3,700 Brothers and Priests. Our headquarters are in Rome, Italy.
We were called “specialists in difficult missions” by Pope Pius IX. “Specialists” not so much in a professional sense that we are well trained in a particular science or discipline but, rather, that we are adept and flexible in determining what is most needed in a particular mission and, with the advice of the locals, we respond to that call.
We take seriously the mandate of Vatican II that all the baptized are called to a life of holiness and we are easily identified by our closeness to the people we are called to serve. We honor and respect the gifts and talents of those called to mission with us.
Visit OMIUSA.org to read the full article.
Letter of Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI, Superior General for February 17, 2018 February 5th, 2018
Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG
Click here to see the article en Español
L.J.C. et M.I.
Dear Brother Oblates and all who form part of the Oblate Family,
Among our celebrations of Oblate history, this year is the bicentenary of the first draft of our Rule. Moved by the Spirit to seek companions to start a society whose aim was re-evangelizing the countryside of Provence, the young Eugene very soon felt the need to give this small, young society a code of life, a rule. It would contain norms to help all its members in the twofold objective that he had already outlined in broad terms to the vicars of Aix when, together with his first five companions, he had asked permission to live in community in the old Carmel of Aix, purchased by him for this purpose.
