NEVER INTIMIDATED BY THE CHALLENGE OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL (Constitution 8)

Posted on October 17, 2025 by franksantucci

We will always be close to the people with whom we work, taking into account their values and aspirations. To seek out new ways for the Word of God to reach their hearts often calls for daring; to present Gospel demands in all clarity should never intimidate us. (Constitution 8)

Essentially founded with the focus of rebuilding the ravaged French Church through the preaching of parochial missions 200 years ago, we find ourselves responding to very different missionary challenges today. The common thread has always been a daring to seek out new ways for the Word to reach people. The scope of mission was to dare to respond to the needs of the youth, the prisoners, domestic workers, farm laborers of Provence, then they dared to move to shrines as permanent mission centers, and then to dare to cross oceans to reach out to abandoned people in the forests of Canada, the slums of England, the plantations  of Ceylon, the desert of Algeria, the valleys of Natal and mountains of Lesotho – always reaching out to people of different languages and cultures and areas of abandonment. Always responding with daring to every missionary challenge.

In the OMI Lacombe newsletter we read about Pope Pius XI’s recognition of Oblate daring in presenting the Gospel:

In 1938 Fr. Prime Girard, OMI was visiting Europe for his vacation. During his stay in Rome he attended the private audience with Holy Father Pius XI. “Curé of the North Pole” reported to the Pope about the Arctic missions, about Inuit and about the harsh reality of the North. Pius XI, who was attentive from the very beginning to the Arctic missions, listened to the stories of Fr. Girard with a great interest. It is then that he called the Oblates the specialists of the most difficult missions. This calling is attributed to the Oblates all over the world till today, but very few remember that it was Fr. Prime Girard, OMI and the pioneers of the Arctic missions who, in heroic way, have deserved this call. (http://www.omilacombe.ca/2016/03/14/specialists-of-the-most-difficult-missions)

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One Response to NEVER INTIMIDATED BY THE CHALLENGE OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL (Constitution 8)

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    October 17, 2025 at 14:05

    When I check out the meaning of intimidate I find the meaning and sense of the word comes from medieval Latin to be “made timid”. This is not to be taken lightly for it carries the sense of to terrorize, oppress, persecute, tyrannize, torment, etc. There is a lot of that going on around the world in big and small ways. Rather that bringing us close to each other that kind of behavior lessens dignity, respect and love. With today’s technology it is easy to see how intimidation can lessen and kill, rather than build-up or restore.

    When our call comes from God, when we are sent or send out others it is only in conjunction with the Church, with God and in a loving and respectful manner that we invite and share. We become people of God who love, respect and share a common sense of dignity. It is only then we become aware of the beauty and richness of other people(s).

    I am reminded of Blessed Joseph Gérard OMI who said “We must love them, love them in spite of everything, love them always.” This was the secret that Fr. Prime Girard, OMI shared with the Pope. It was the love and respect that was accorded to me when I met the Oblates, and I wanted to become like them, to walk and be with them. It was and continues to be where my heart and being find a home. It is in this way that I dare to proclaim that I am close to the people.

    Praise be Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate.

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