At the beginning of summer each year, Eugene would draw up the program of parish missions for the forthcoming “season” – responding to as many of the numerous invitations as possible.
Every year, at the beginning of the summer, the superior will collect the letters received from pastors requesting missions in their parishes, and after having determined how many missions can be given, the parishes to be given preference, and how much time is needed for each mission, they will set up a schedule which they will submit to the Bishop for his approval.
1818 Rule Chapter Two §2
The preaching teams were assigned and began preparing their preaching material and praying for those they were to evangelize. The local village priest would generally also be preparing his people for the arrival of the missionaries.
The superior will then designate which missionaries should prepare themselves for these missions. He will assign to each one the villages to which they are to go, and he will name the director and the bursar of each group which will embark on campaign.
1818 Rule Chapter Two §2
The missions had a definite “season”: the cold winter months. The inhabitants of the villages were basically farmers and would not have been available for a mission during the spring, summer and autumn, with all the farming activities. In the cold winter, they had time to dedicate between 3-6 weeks to participating fully in the mission.
Fr. Louis Lougen OMI our Superior General -Elect announced this year hear in USA as the year of St. Eugene de Mazenod’s Year. As I want to read and reflect more about Our Founder and it is a great source to make a spiritual journey every day with St.Eugene. Fr. Frank Santucci OMI, I appreciate and congratulate your contribution to the Oblate world of Spirituality. May God bless this noble and great work. Thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELECTION TO ALL THE NEW GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
CONGRATULATIONS ALSO ON THE NEW WEBSITE AND REFLECTIONS OF OUR FOUNDER.
WE’LL TRY TO USE SOME ON OUR OBLATE RADIO LISELI – 105.3FM SO THAT THEY FAITHFUL CAN FOLLOW THROUGH OUR CHARISM AND SPIRITUALITY.
THANK YOU!
MERCI BOUCOUP!
GRACIAS!
ZIKOMO!
FR. FREEBORN KIBOMBWE, OMI
DIRECTOR – OBLATE RADIO LISELI
P.O. BOX 910066
MONGU, WP
ZAMBIA
LJC et MI
Dear Lawrence and Freeborn: thanks for joining the every growing Oblate family on line. It is good to know you are well Freeborn. I meet you in the States years ago. And the idea of putting a moment of Oblate thought/history on the Radio daily is a great idea. As the founder in todays reflection reminds us that we are present to the people where they are! (for him it was in the winter when the crops were in) And so you are one with the people of Mongu sharing them the good news in ways that speak to them.
I am outside of Ottawa Canada at a spiritual life centre.
Fratenally, Jack,omi
Fitting the word of God into the lifestyle of people today is a challenge. When I preached Lenten missions in North Dakota and the land was in hibernation many families, giving priority to the activities of their children, were busy traveling to hockey and basketball games/tournaments. Or they were recuperating from their travels and reluctant to come to church for another activity. The internet fits in with today’s lifestyle. But how do we get people to click on to “The Word of God that can change my life.” Thanks, Frank, for developing this website which can be a source of encoragement to us preachers. I begin a week-long parish mission in Sullivan, IN tomorrow, and I welcome all the prayer support I can get.
Dear George: it is good to see you on line. Last week I was in Haleburton ON and for an evening and day of reflection + mass. The mass was full but the sessions were sparse.
Two or Three gathered in my name.
This site is bringing the Oblate family together around the words of the founder. Like a fire side chat.
Fraternally, Jack,omi
Parish Missions: which fit in with the life of the people! This is indeed Good News of a great joy. In today`s world, the Good News needs to be proclaimed in such away that it can bring people`s personal encounter with the Risen Lord, in such away that it can bring healing to the poor souls which are lost in the midst of the evil of poverty, hatred, division, politics, social crisis, and economic crisis. Some of us who are working in parishes, especially in South Africa, will I gree with that today people keep on clamouring for an answer to the questions of life especially young people. Therefore, we Oblates have to ask ourselves in prayer and reflection, “Brothers, what must we do to help find the answer to the life-questions of the people? Young people today keep on telling us that the message of the Good News does not touch their lives the way Peter`s message touched the lives of his first hearers on the day of the Pentecost (Acts.2:37). Frank, I like that! Thank you and congratulations on your search and contribution to the Oblate Spirituality. V. Marole OMI