Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG

Click here to see the Article en Español

By Bede Sujaharan, OMI

From November 11 to 15, approximately 60 members of the Oblate family from Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba will gather for the 14th Provincial Assembly of Mexico, to be held at the Oblate Retreat House in the historic and scenic town of Tepoztlán, Morelos.

This year’s theme is “Called to Conversion for the Renewal of Community Life and Mission.” The five days will serve as a time for the Oblates of the Province of Mexico to evaluate the past three years of their work and plan for the upcoming triennium in light of the 37th General Chapter and the Synod on Synodality.

Since 1985, when the Oblates working in Mexico decided to form an independent unit with the blessings of the Mother Province of Texas, the Province has gathered every three years to discern its path forward. This assembly has also served as an elective assembly for selecting the provincial administration for the next three years. After the Oblates in Mexico established missions in Guatemala in 1988 and in Cuba in 1997, it became essential to gather all Oblates every three years to share their lives and ministry. This year, for the first time, five lay associates will participate in the assembly, representing different regions of the Oblate lay movement that have been very active in the Province since its inception.

In keeping with the tradition of the Province and the Oblate spirit, the Provincial and his council will be elected during the assembly and later confirmed by the Superior General and Council during the January plenary session. Father Alberto Ruíz González, OMI, from the Mediterranean Province, will serve as the facilitator for the provincial assembly, and we are also blessed with the presence of Father Jorge Albergati, OMI, General Councilor for Latin America and the Caribbean, who is already in Mexico visiting the Oblates ahead of the assembly. This assembly will also provide the Oblate family of Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba an opportunity to reflect on the invitation of the 37th General Chapter for the restructuring of our Province.