Participants in the 37th General Assembly of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate also met the Pope at the Vatican on October 3. On the occasion, the Pope encouraged them to spread the Gospel light of hope, joy and peace throughout the world.
C. Rubies CTC, Vatican News
The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (OMI) were founded in 1816 in southern France by Saint Eugene de Massenod.
Addressing the congregation, the Pope offered his greetings. OMI for six years P., elected the new Superior General of the Church last Thursday. The Pope congratulated Luis Ignacio Roiz Alonso for the last 12 years of service and the former Superior General Fr. Lewis also expressed his gratitude to Logan.
“Pilgrims of Hope”
Resolution chosen by the Oblates at their 37th General Assembly: “Pilgrims of hope in communion” means Pope Francis noted that the theme embodies their identity as disciples of Jesus, “called to bring the Gospel of hope, joy and peace” in an age darkened by wars and conflicts, by the struggles of migrants and refugees and from an economy centered on the rich.
The Pope said that only the Gospel can turn on the light of hope. The main mission of the Oblates is to become pilgrims who travel the world to serve the Church in 70 countries, the Pope said. “It means always being ready to go with his disciples like Jesus,” the Pope explained.
“Pilgrims of hope, walk with the holy people of God, faithfully living your vocation together with the laity and young people who share the faith of your Founder in the Church and who want to be an active part of your mission”. Dad reminded him.
Furthermore, as “missionaries of hope”, learn to recognize virtue among the poor, dare to evangelize the less fortunate, so that “they will teach you the way of hope for the Church and for the world”, the Pope continued.
The importance of living in community
“Living in communion today is a reliable basis for the future of the world, of the Church and of consecrated life”. “This future must first of all be rooted in the communion between us, which must be nurtured” with all without exception “.
“I urge you to be promoters of communion through expressions of solidarity, closeness, synodality and fraternity with all”. dad said.
Back to the source
Pope Francis noted that taking care of “Mother Earth” is essential because our land is the source that sustains us without asking for anything in return. In the same way, the Pope continued, it is necessary to return to God the Father, source of life and mission, to “that first love that made them leave everything to follow Jesus”.
The Pope asked that the tradition of Saint Eugene, founder of the Church, “rooted in mutual love for others and” zeal for the salvation of souls “, remain an index point in the life of the Oblates. The Pope wanted Saint Eugene’s great love and mission for the poor to inspire the Oblates to spread the love of God through faith.
«Jesus is always your example in your great apostolic field, which covers the whole world, as in Saint Eugene. He decided one day to offer his life to him before the crucified Savior, so that everyone, especially the poor, may live the same love of God that brought him back on the path of faith “, recalled the Pope their founder of the Church. .
Look to Our Lady as a model for the life of the Oblates
Dwelling on the special grace received by Saint Eugene in front of the statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Aix-en-Provence at a difficult time for the monastic order, Pope Francis affirmed that the Mother can play a special role “as his companion in journey “in the pilgrimage route.
Answering “yes” to God, Mary hastened to “share God’s gift and give herself to service”. Therefore, the Pope explained, the Holy Virgin can become a model to better live a life of service to the apostolic work and to the people of God. She pray for the congregation of Oblates which continues the General Assembly and Oh. M. The Pope blessed the congregation and the people associated with it and asked them to pray for him.
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