Missionariorum Oblatorum Beatae Mariae Virginis Immaculatae | |
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| Abbreviation | Post-nominal lettersOMI |
|---|---|
| Established | 25 January 1816; 209 years ago (25 January 1816)[1] |
| Founder | Charles Joseph Eugène de Mazenod |
| Founded at | Aix-en-Provence, France |
| Type | Clerical Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right (for Men)[1] |
| Headquarters | General House, Via Aurelia 290Rome, Italy[2] |
Region served | Worldwide2020 |
| Membership | 3,786 (2,741 priests)[1] (2020) |
Superior General | Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso |
| Affiliations | Roman Catholic Church |
| Website | OMI |
| Remarks |
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Formerly called | Missionaries of Provence |
TheMissionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI)[a] is amissionaryreligious congregation in theCatholic Church. It was founded on January 25, 1816, byEugène de Mazenod, aFrench priest later recognized as a Catholicsaint. The congregation was given recognition byPope Leo XII on February 17, 1826. As of January 2020[update], the congregation was composed of 3,631priests andlay brothers usually living in community.[3] Their traditionalsalutation isLaudetur Iesus Christus ('Praised be Jesus Christ'), to which the response isEt Maria Immaculata ('And Mary Immaculate'). Members use thepost-nominal letters "OMI".
As part of its mission to evangelize the "abandoned poor",[4] OMI are known fortheir mission among theIndigenous peoples of Canada, and their historic administration of at least 57 schools within theCanadian Indian residential school system.[5][6] Some of those schools have been associated with cases of child abuse by Oblate clergy and staff.[7]: 399–452
The "Society of Missionaries of Provence" was founded on January 25, 1816, in Aix-en-Provence when Eugene de Mazenod and four companions came together to preach, first with missions in theProvençal dialect, speaking the everyday language of the community.
Born intoFrench nobility in 1782, Eugene de Mazenod fled theFrench Revolution with his family in 1789. In 1798 inNaples, they were joined by his uncle, the future BishopFortuné de Mazenod [fr]. Returning to France in 1802, he entered theSeminary of St. Sulpice and wasordained in 1811.[8]
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The character of de Mazenod's experience during the French Revolution formed his society's goals. Initially established to renew the Roman Catholic Church in France, the society opposedNapoleon's view of the Church, and focused its mission on the masses, believed to have abandoned the Church.[9]
On 25 January 1816, Mazenod invited other priests to join him in his life of total oblation to God and to the most abandoned of Provence. Initially called "Missionaries of Provence," they dedicated themselves to evangelization through preaching parish missions in the poor villages, youth and prison ministry. In 1818 a second community was established at the Marian shrine ofNotre Dame du Laus. This became the occasion for the missionaries to become a religious congregation, united through vows and the evangelical counsels.[8]
On February 17, 1826, Pope Leo XII grantedapprobation ofpontifical right to the congregation of the "Missionary Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary" viapapal brief.[10][11]
Pope Pius XI (1857–1939) was so impressed by the courage of the Oblates that he referred to them as "specialists in the most difficult missions of the Church."[12]
Missionaries first, OMI's decree, confirmed in 1982, is that they are "devoted principally to the evangelization of the poor", and their charism specifically aimed at people "whose condition cries out for salvation".[13]
We fulfil our task in healing the world by understanding its evolutionary character, by critically engaging its contemporary spirit, and by meeting its new needs in new ways...With Gospel values we dialogue with peoples of different cultures, faiths, and religions, in the search for an integral transformation of society; we work with others to safeguard human dignity, nurture family, foster harmony, promote a culture of peace, and respond to the calls of justice and integrity of creation.[14]
Eugene de Mazenod's initial text of the congregation's rule and constitution as approved by the Vatican has been modified both by himself, and subsequent meetings of the General Chapter.
We must lead men to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and, finally, we must help them to become saints.[15][13]
— Eugene de Mazenod, Rule of 1818
Initially, those interested in joining the congregation have several meetings with an OMI priest, usually with visits to an Oblate community. Men aged 18 and over meet regularly to share their experiences of God and what God may be calling them to become, and the congregation shares what it is like to be a member. Potential members are encouraged to regularly attendMass, read theBible—especially the Gospel—andpray to discern theirvocation.
As members of areligious congregation, Oblates embrace theevangelical counsels, taking three traditionalreligious vows ofpoverty, chastity, and obedience. Poverty means that all possessions are held in common and that no member may accumulate wealth. Chastity, abstaining from sexual activity, is intended to make thereligious totally available for religious service. Additionally, Oblates vow "perseverance until death" as a sign of their commitment to the OMI mission of evangelism.[13]
This is a 1-2-year experience of living in an OMI community, sharing in many aspects of the life of the congregation. During this time, thepostulants participate in the prayer life of a community, share more deeply with others, and become involved in one or more of the congregation'sapostolates. Essentially, it is an extended period of discernment for the postulants and an opportunity for the congregation to assess the strengths of the candidates and possible areas requiring growth. For those straight out of high school it is possible, in some provinces, to begin working on anundergraduate degree.[16]
Next follows thenovitiate which is the time for preparing to take the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The novices are given the opportunity for longer periods of prayer and spiritual reading as well as silence in order to reflect on the vocation God is offering and nature of their response. The spiritual development of the novice is of particular focus, especially throughspiritual direction. During the novitiate, the history and Constitutions of the Congregation are studied in depth. A simple profession is made at the end of the novitiate and the person officially becomes a member of the Congregation.
After the novitiate, the new members of the congregation continue their studies. In the Philippines this normally involves a 4-yeartheology degree, followed by a missionary year abroad, although a student may make a request to study at thePontifical Gregorian University inRome.[16] The theologate in the United States is takes place inSan Antonio, Texas, atOblate School of Theology.[17] In Canada, studies are undertaken atSaint Paul University inOttawa,Ontario. Scholastics from four provinces inSouthern Africa (Central,Lesotho,Natal, and Northern) study at the congregation's scholasticate in the small town ofHilton inKwaZulu-Natal or at the international scholasticate in Rome.[18]
Vows are renewed annually; after three years a member may request final vows. According tocanon law, temporary vows may be renewed for a longer period but not exceeding nine years.[19]
OMI conducts aGeneral Chapter, or assembly, of its membership every six years. The assembly may take a month. Held in Rome, the assembly is the highest governing body of the OMI outside of theHoly See, and includes capitular fathers and representatives from OMI provinces worldwide. Called by the Superior General, the assembly determines mission strategy, policies and rules, organizational change, consults on emerging topics, and conducts elections of their administration. Crucially, the assembly also discusses spiritual concerns of their religious formation, community, identity, sets contemplative goals, and affirms its charism.[20]
In October 2016, the General Chapter celebrated OMI's 200th year. The assembly focused on its mission and their motto:"Evangelizare pauperibus misit me. Pauperes evangelizantur—He has sent me to bring the Good News to the poor. The poor have received the Good News." Incumbent Superior General, Louie Lougen was re-elected to his post, as was incumbent Vicar General Paolo Archiati.[21]
In October 2022, the 37th General Chapter was called. The assembly focused on the theme of "Pilgrims of Hope in Communion." Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso was elected to the post of Superior General.[22]
Members of the congregation have served in prominent clerical positions, including a number ofcardinals, such asThomas Cooray andFrancis George. OMI candidates for sainthood includeJózef Cebula, who died inMauthausen concentration camp, andJoseph Gérard, a missionary toSouth Africa.[23]
The Oblates are active worldwide. They work in parishes, Catholic schools, retreat centres, and amongIndigenous peoples, emphasizing issues ofjustice and peace.
Begun in 1894, OMI's Australian presence is currently administered in one geographic province based inCamberwell, Victoria and includes nine parishes and four schools. As of 2017, there were 42 Oblate priests working in Australia. Australia also administers OMI's delegation toChina andHong Kong.[24]
The Oblates are known for their mission among theIndigenous peoples of Canada, and their historic administration of at least 57 schools within theCanadian Indian residential school system.[5][6] Some of those schools have been associated with cases of child abuse by Oblate clergy and staff.[7]: 399–452
The ancient sanctuary of St.Martin of Tours was re-excavated and revived by Oblate Fathers underCardinalJoseph-Hippolyte Guibert in 1862.[10]
The Oblates maintain a presence at a number ofshrines to the Virgin Mary, includingLourdes and Notre-Dame dePontmain.
The Oblates maintain a presence at a number ofshrines to the Virgin Mary, includingLoreto, Italy.
Arriving in 1847, Oblates landed inGalle,British Ceylon. OMI's Sri Lankan mission is currently administered as Colombo Province and Jaffna Province.[27] As of June 2021, there were 106 Oblates attached to Colombo's seven districts.[28] Colombo also administers OMI's delegations toJapan,Korea,Bangladesh, andPakistan.
In the UK and Ireland, the Oblates work through parishes and Centres of Mission in London, Edinburgh, Anglesey and Dublin.[29]
{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Blanchin, François (1911)."Oblates of Mary Immaculate". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved18 November 2017.38°33′39.5″N90°4′56.36″W / 38.560972°N 90.0823222°W /38.560972; -90.0823222
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Oblates of Mary Immaculate".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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