Exploring New Horizons:  A Modern Commentary on Our Constitutions and Rules

General Administration- Rome

Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG

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By Frank SANTUCCI, OMI, (Kusenberger Chair of Oblate Studies)

To commemorate the bicentenary of Pontifical recognition of our Charism and the approbation of our Constitutions and Rules, our Superior General and council have expressed their wish that a steering committee may be formed with the task of working on a newly revised Commentary of the Constitutions and Rules.

OMI: The Apostolic Man

In the thirty years since Fr. Fernand JETTÉ published a commentary on the Oblate Constitutions and Rules titled OMI: The Apostolic Man, the world and the Church have changed dramatically.  Fr. Jetté was the architect of the 1982 CC&RR and the Superior General responsible for its introduction and implementation in the Congregation.  As Oblates, we have used these guides to respond to the changing needs of the most abandoned whom we serve. 

A newly revised Commentary

The canonization of Eugene de Mazenod ignited a new interest in the study of the Oblate Charism, and a consciousness of belonging to a worldwide Mazenodian Family of religious and lay missionaries emerged.  To commemorate the bicentenary of Pontifical recognition of our Charism and the approbation of our Constitutions and Rules, our Superior General and council have expressed their wish that a steering committee may be formed with the task of working on a newly revised Commentary of the Constitutions and Rules. 

Organization and content of the Commentary

The members of the steering committee representing each regional missionary reality of the Congregation are:  Arun ROZARIO, Bonga THAMI, Cleber LOPES, Frank SANTUCCI, Gregory AROKIASAMY, Paolo ARCHIATI, Pat MCGEE, Sandy PRATHER, Stefano DOMINICI, and Thomas KLOSTERKAMP. The committee met for the first time on September 25. Their mission is to shape the organization and content of this Commentary, define its purpose and intended audience, select authors who will authentically represent the diverse expressions of our charism in the Mazenodian Family, and oversee translations and publication.

Frank, Bonga, Pat, Arun, Sandy, Gregory, Stefano, Cleber, Thomas and Paolo

We embark on this journey with enthusiasm and devotion to enrich the future while honoring our rich past.

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