U.S. Oblate on Task Force for 200th Anniversary of Papal Approbation

By Salvador Gonzalez, OMI

The US-Canada Region of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate was well represented at a gathering from June 16, to 30, 2024, in Aix-en-Provence, at the foundation house of the Oblates. The group consisted of seventeen Oblates and a Lay Associate from five regions. Organizers provided excellent translators to facilitate communication among participants. The group was tasked with developing ideas and tools focused on the Constitutions and Rules, in line with the 37th General Chapter’s mandate to deepen the understanding and animation of our Book of Life.

Frs. Salvador Gonzalez, OMI (US Province), Bogdan Osiecki, OMI (Assumption Province), Luc Tardif, OMI (Notre Dame du Cap), and Oblate Associate Christine Taylor (OMI Lacombe Province) represented the US-Canada region. The group, enriched by a wealth of diverse missionary experiences, included members involved in formation ministry, parish ministry, shrine ministry, and school administration. This diversity was not just a feature, but a strength of our group, inspiring us to learn from each other and grow together.

One of the primary objectives was to prepare for the exciting milestone of the 200th anniversary of the Papal Approbation of the Constitutions and Rules. Attendees participated in presentations and group work to develop engaging animation tools and methods for the congregation. This session also allowed participants to forge deeper connections, share their experiences, and foster a sense of community.

The proposed animations are designed for various members of the Oblate family, including Oblates, lay associates, and youth. They can be adapted to meet different regions’ unique cultural and historical needs.

I was part of the English 1 working group, which included myself, Ms. Christine Taylor, Fr. Michael Twigg from Australia, and Bartosz Madejski, OMI, the vicar provincial of Poland. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on such an exciting project, particularly as I prepare for my new assignment at the novitiate in Godfrey. This experience acted as a condensed novitiate, benefiting myself and the others involved. I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge that served me as an immediate preparation for my new assignment at the OMI Novitiate in Godfrey, ILL.