‘Our’ Oblate Mission
In my ministry as vocation director I’m often given the opportunity to speak on the charism, ministry, and community life of the Oblates. Someone pointed out recently that I always use our and we when I describe our many ministries across Canada and around the world. I guess its true. Whether I’m talking about the Supper Table at St Joe’s Parish in Ottawa, or the mission in Kenya, or the Oblate ministries in the Philippines, I instinctively understand these as ours – something I am part of.
Upon reflection, this is one of the things that drew me to religious life; the idea that I was joining a group with a common identity and focus – something much bigger than myself. This means that I am linked to the hundreds of Oblate ministries and communities around the world, even though I will likely never visit them. And yet, if I were to visit almost any of these communities and ministries I would be welcomed as a brother, as a member of the family. And welcomed not just by the Oblates, but also by the people with whom we work and serve. This connection (reminiscent of the biblical images of The Body of Christ and the Vine and the Branches) means, that even though my present ministry means that I live in Ottawa and work in the area of vocations and formation, I am present at the UN through Fr Daniel LaBlanc, our representative there. It means I am present in Indonesia through the ministry of Oblates like Fr Charlie Burrows. It means I am involved in the retreat ministry in Belleville Illinois through Br Pat McGee.
For me this in an extension of the Oblate tradition of l’Oraison – the tradition of communal, silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament that Oblates are called to practice each day. Fr Kelly Nemeck gives us a description of St Eugene’s understanding of this practice; “Eugene de Mazenod deeply believed that the Eucharist was not only the Sacrament of the physical body and blood of the Lord, but also the Sacrament of the Mystical Body of Christ. His fellow Oblates were in Christ as he was. Thus, it was in Christ that they commune. Visiting with the Eucharistic presence was a spiritual, but symbolically tangible, way to encounter his brother Oblates anywhere in the world. He could visit with some by direct conversation. He could visit with others by correspondence. He could visit with everyone through the Eucharist.” - The Dictionary of Oblate Values
Finally it is good to remember that as a community, members of the Body of Christ, we are present and help to carry the joy and pain of each other, and of those we serve. No where is this more apparent than in Winnipeg this week, where the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is holding its first National Event. Former students, and staff of the Residential School System, will have the opportunity to tell their stories. Many Oblates will be present, including our national leadership team. Recognizing our complicity in what we now understand to have been an unjust and hurtful system, their presence in Winnipeg this week witnesses to the desire that has guided Oblates since the time of St Eugene himself; “to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free”. (Luke 4:18)
Fr Ken Thorson OMI
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