Our mission puts us on constant call to respond to the most urgent needs of the Church
Constitution 7)
At this moment, delegates representing every area of the Oblate world are gathered in India in a meeting that takes place in between our General Chapters. Constitution 7 focuses exactly on what this meeting is about: to examine our “constant call to respond to the most urgent needs of the Church” as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
We invite every member of the Oblate Charismatic Family to join in prayer to accompany our delegates as they open themselves to the directions of the Holy Spirit in discerning responses to the most urgent needs of the Church today.
You can follow the progress of the inter-chapter on the OMIWORLD website: https://www.omiworld.org
My response to the beautiful image chosen to accompany the Inter-Chapter is of being drawn into the Cross. The Cross stands in the forefront with the entire congregation and members of the Oblate Charismatic Family standing in it’s shadow. Once again the Spirit is inviting us to take part in her embrace so as to hear to her whispers of where we are at and where we still need to go.
I am reminded of Luke’s Gospel yesterday. “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!” Our crucified Saviour speaking the words which I don’t think I have ever heard before! I usually focus on the word “division” which is found in the next verse. In the Interchapter we are all being led to open our hearts to review our personal and communal response to the most urgent needs of the Church.
It is in our hearts and prayers that we will accompany all who are in India, delegates opening their hearts so as to allow the Spirit to speak through them.
It is impossible to miss how the Constitutions do more than to just stand on their own, separated from each other. Like the grains of sand that come to the surface with each wave coming in and then going out.