杏MAP导航 to Oblates of Mary Immaculate: 鈥楶roclaim the Gospel of hope'
By Sophie Peeters
杏MAP导航 Francis met on Monday with members of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) on the occasion of their 37th General Chapter. The missionary order was founded in 1816 by St. Eugene de Mazenod in the south of France.
In his address to members of the Congregation, the 杏MAP导航 offered his well-wishes to Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, who was elected last Thursday as the new OMI Superior General for a 6-year term. He also thanked the previous Superior General, Fr. Louis Lougen, for his service over the past 12 years.
鈥淧ilgrims of Hope鈥�
For the occasion of their 37th General Chapter, the Oblates have chosen the theme: 鈥淧ilgrims of Hope in Communion.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis noted that this theme embodies their very identities as disciples of Jesus, who are 鈥渃alled to bring the Gospel of hope, joy, and peace鈥� in a time where wars and conflicts, the struggles of migrants and refugees, and an economy focused on the rich engulf the world in darkness.
鈥淥nly the Gospel can keep the light of hope burning,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航.
He also said the core mission of the Oblates is to be pilgrims who travel the world serving the Church in 70 countries, 鈥渁lways ready to go like Jesus with His disciples.鈥�
Furthermore, being a 鈥渕issionary of hope鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 continued, means learning how to recognize virtue amongst the poor, daring to let themselves be evangelized by those less fortunate, so that they may 鈥渢each you the way of hope, for the Church, and for the world.鈥�
Importance of living in communion
Living in communion today, 杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say, is the foundation upon which the 鈥渇uture of the world, the Church and consecrated life may depend.鈥�
This future must first be rooted in communion amongst ourselves, cultivating it with 鈥渆veryone without exception.鈥�
Returning to the source
Taking care of our 鈥渕other earth鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted, remains crucial, as our planet is the source that continues to feed us 鈥渨ithout asking for anything in return.鈥�
Similarly, the 杏MAP导航 continued, it remains necessary to return to God the Father as the source of life and mission, the 鈥渇irst love that prompted you to leave everything to follow Jesus.鈥�
The charism of the founder, St. Eugene, should remain as a point of reference for Oblate life, 鈥渞ooted in missionary vocation鈥� in mutual love for the other and 鈥渮eal for the salvation of souls.鈥�
St. Eugene鈥檚 great love for the poor and mission, to spread God鈥檚 love through faith, remains an inspiration for the Oblates, 杏MAP导航 Francis said.
Looking to Our Lady as a model for Oblate life
Focusing on the special grace St. Eugene received before the statue of Mary Immaculate in Aix-en-Provence at a difficult moment for the Congregation, 杏MAP导航 Francis said Mary can play a special role 鈥渁s your traveling companion鈥� along the pilgrimage path.
Mary, the 杏MAP导航 said, gave her 鈥測es鈥� to God, leaving in haste to 鈥渟hare God鈥檚 gift and place herself in service鈥�.
Therefore, Our Lady can serve as a model of how best to live in service to the mission and God鈥檚 people.
Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address with a prayer for the Oblates as they continue their General Chapter, and blessed the OMIs and those associated with them, asking them to 鈥減lease pray for me.鈥�
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