• Bishops’ Synod
• Blessed Paolo Manna and the OMI:Pontifical Missionary Union founder beatified
• Recent Beatifications and the OMIcauses

• Philippines: The Christianresponse to violence and war
• Pakistan: Living on the brink
• Japan: Lifeissues.net –1 year later
• Thailand: 2001 – a yearof blessings

• France : Crec-Avex 1^stOMI Media Seminar
• Poland: Israel honors PolishOblate
• Spain: Las Oblatas di M.I.
• Aix-en-Provence: 3 weeks withSt. Eugene: "Enraptured with God"

The terrorist attackson the United States during the morning of September 11^thhave wounded the heart of every peace-loving person. Many have saidover the past weeksthat on September 112001the world has changed.We will need some time to come to grips more deeply with what this changeis about. Even now we can ask how has our Oblate vision of the worldthrough the eyes of Jesus Christ changed? God’s gracious plansremain ever mysterious.

As an Oblate I feel thatthe new situation which the terrorist attack has brought about demandsthat all of us be more closely in touch with one anotherfollowingthe example of St. Eugene during his time of oraison - his timeof being with his religious family scattered near and far. I write theselines after a four day visit to South FloridaUnited States of America.ThereI heard several people say that they had known a person who becamea victim in the tragedy. There are also some Oblates who had relativesand friends among the dead and missing. In the name of the CongregationI offer my condolences to those who suffered the loss of their lovedones.

At several liturgies inMiami we prayed for peace. Before going to the U.S.while still inEuropeI was able to appreciate the reactions to the attack by peoplein ItalyGermany and Poland. Everywhere the reaction was one of solidaritya fear of what may happena fervent prayer for peace.

When speaking with Oblatesour thoughts went to confreres in other countrieswho may also be indanger because they could be seen as friends of an enemy. The superiorof our mission in Turkmenistan was warned by the government that foreignersmay not be safe. What is the situation of Oblates and Christians inmissions such as PakistanNigeriaIndonesiathe Southern Philippines?This is a time to get closer to each other through our communion inChristand to reach out to all whom the Spirit causes to believe ina God of love. Humanity is faced with a challenge: how can it escapethe logic of hatredterror and fearalways resulting in the denialof basic human rightshow can it bring about a world order based ona civilization of love.

The Holy Father givesus an example of courage and active work for peace during his pastoralvisit to Central Asia. The mission of peacemaker is one that every Oblateis equipped to undertake. May our Lady once more guide our steps onthe ways of her Son.

W. StecklingO.M.I.
September 282001

Launching the Immense Hope project

RomeSeptember 82001

Dear Missionary Oblatesof Mary Immaculate

The last General Chaptercalled the Oblates men of hope. It spoke of that immense hopein us which is grounded in our God who “continues to believe inwomen and men.” (cf. EPM 8) This coming December 8^this the symbolical date for all our 75 ProvincesDelegations and Missionsto set out on a journey of daring and renewal that will lead us to thenext Chapter in 2004.

The Immense Hope projectis not primarily for ourselves. Its main insistence will be to ask ourselvesagain and again how our missionary practices can be “in step withthe reality of today's world and with God's specific call to us throughour charism.” (EPM 19) We find our world much changed at the beginningof the third millennium. God’s Word became flesh at the start ofthe first thousand years but he must become tangible in flesh and bloodalso today. It can happen through us if our “Yes” is as generousas Mary’s oblative answer: I am the servant of the Lord.

“The Congregation’svitality and effectiveness depend largely on the local community.”(C 76) It is to youmembers of the local communities that the firstand decisive steps of our Project are entrusted. Everybody is importantin a community: the old and the youngthe wise and the inexperiencedthose in good health and the infirm. Everybody can be appointed God’smessengerlike young Daniel (cf. Dan 1350.) If we listen to each otherand discern togetherour missionary dreams will come true.

Dear Brother OblatesI invite you to trust this road which will be mapped out in each Oblateunit in a way best suited to its mission. We need not be perfect tostart itwe need only be prepared for renewal. The 8^th ofDecember is the feast of Mary’s holiness. In herfull of gracewe see the great things that God is willing to do for us. She is themorning star of the Immense Hope that animates us and the patronessof the missionary spring that will result from it.

Fraternally in Christand Mary Immaculate
Wilhelm StecklingO.M.I.
Superior General

Bishops’ Synod

The tenth Ordinary General Assembly ofthe Synod of Bishops opened in Rome on September 30^th. Thereare five Oblate bishops present. Cardinal Francis GEORGEArchbishopof ChicagoOrlando QUEVEDOArchbishop of Cotabato (Philippines)GillesCAZABONBishop of Saint-Jérôme (Canada)Buti THLAGALEArchbishop of Bloemfontein (South Africa) and Joseph SHIKONGOVicarApostolic of Rundu (Namibia). The last two are staying at the GeneralHouseas is also Bishop Paul Khoarai of Leribe (Lesotho).

On October 7th Pope JohnPaul II enrolled Fr Paolo MannaP.I.M.E. among the blessed. Convincedof the need to promote a missionary awareness among both the clergyand the faithfulin 1908 this former China missionary founded the MissionaryUnion of the Clergy – today known as the Pontifical MissionaryUnion.

When the Union was includedin the Pontifical Mission-Aid Societies in 1937 with the establishmentof the International Secretariat in Propaganda Fide (Rome)Fr LéoDeschâtelets became the under-secretary of the Union’s InternationalSecretariat. In that post he worked as Fr Manna’s assistant fora year and a half until the impending threat of war in Europe forcedhis return to Canada in September 1938. According to a close collaboratorFr Deschâtelets remembered and venerated Fr Manna all his life.Their friendship and cooperation during the years the former was OblateSuperior General are well known.

Fr Deschâteletswas the first of several Oblates to work for the Union over the years.Bishop Alessandro STACCIOLI was Secretary of the Pontifical MissionaryUnion from 1995 to 1998. Other Oblates who assisted the General Secretarywere Frs Edward CAROLAN (1968-1975)Peter RAYAPPU and Michael CLARKE(in the 1970s and 80s).

The Union continues topromote interest and cooperation in the mission of the Church throughits publicationOMNIS TERRA. The title is taken from the mottoadopted by Blessed MannaOmnis terra adoret te.

In the same ceremony on October 7thePope also declared Mère Emilie Gamelin blessed. She is the founderof the Sisters of Providence. Founded in Montrealthe Sisters havelong been associated with the Oblatesespecially in western Canada.This is the second Canadian beatification this year handled by PostulatorGeneralFr James FITZPATRICKwho has charge of 20 non-Oblate Causes.On April 29^th Mère Marie-Anne Blondinfounder ofthe Sisters of St. Anne was also declared Blessed. Fr. FitzPatrick iscurrently preparing the final steps in dossiers on extraordinary curesto be presented for the canonizations of Blessed Br André BessetteC.S.C. of “The Oratory”Montrealand of Blessed Marie-LéonieParadisfounder of the Sisters of the Holy FamilySherbrooke. TheseSisters are known to many Oblates for their long years of dedicatedservice at the General House and in many of our houses in North America.

Progress of OMICauses

“It is to be hoped that the nextOblate beatification will be that of the 22 Oblate martyrs of Spain– 4 priests and 18 scholastics shot by communist forces in 1936.With them is also a laymanwho was arrestedimprisoned and executedat the same time” said Fr FitzPatrick. The “Study on theMartyrdom”prepared by Fr Eutimio Gonzalezhas been submittedto the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.

Following the completionof the Cause of St. Eugene de Mazenod with his canonization in 1995we now have 11 current Oblate Causes. Blessed Joseph Gérard (beatifiedin 1988)Blessed Joseph Cebula (beatified in 1999) require a provenmiracle for canonization. Venerable Fr. Dominic Albini and VenerableBishop Vital Grandinare awaiting a proven miracle for beatification.Two older Causes are those of the Servants of God Bro. Anthony Kowalczykand Bishop Ovide Charlebois for whom the “Study on the Life andVirtues” have already been submitted.

New Causes

Over the past four years 5 other OblateCauses have been started: Fr Victor Lelièvre (Canada)Fr LudwikWrodarczyk (Poland)the 22 Oblate martyrs of Spainthe 6 Oblate martyrsof Laosand the Cause of Bishop Pierre Fallaizein conjunction withthe Diocese of Bayeux-LisieuxFrance. Work is continuing on these atvarious levels.

In the aftermath of therecent terrorist attacks in the United StatesArchbishop Orlando QUEVEDOPresident of the Philippine Episcopal Conferencewas interviewed bythe press in Manila on September 21 about the possible repercussionsof the global war on terrorism on the Philippine situation and the Christianresponse to violence and war. Here are some excerpts from the archbishop’sremarks.

Understanding the position of theChurch

First of allthe underlying basic positionof the Church on the matter of violence and war is to urge everyoneto strive toward the Gospel ideal of forgiveness and non-violencedespiteattacks. This is the lesson of the Passion and Death of Christ. He taughtthis Gospel ideal also by words. “If someone hits you on one cheekturn the other cheek.” “Pray for your persecutors.” “Loveyour enemies.” For this reasonwe say that war is not the answerto problems. Violence begets violence. We urgeinsteadforgivenesscompassionunderstandingand especially dialogue to resolve differences.A just punishment for crimes committed is not excluded by this fundamentalstance of forgiveness. The ideal for the world wouldindeedbe anenvironment where people of different racesfaithsand ideologiescan live together peacefully in pluralism and diversityand yet insolidarity as one family of humankind.

Secondlythe Church istotally aware of the sinful realities of this world. While the Churchupholds the above Gospel idealit also speaks about what is morallyallowable. Below the level of the Gospel ideal of forgiveness and non-violencethere is a whole range of human action that is morally allowable. Someexamples of morally allowable actions are: self-defense by those whoselives or rights are unjustly threatenedor self-defense by nationswhose rights are unjustly attackedor the armed pursuit of dangerouscriminals to bring them to justice. In all of these examplesit isexpected that one’s own death in self defense or the deaths ofpolice or soldiers in pursuit of dangerous criminalsor the loss ofthousands of lives in a war of self-defenseor the possibility of counter-retaliationsare risks that have to be facedunless one accepts the trampling ofrights and dignity without resistance and with impunity. This wouldsurely invite continual perpetration of such violent behavior.

The threat of a Jihad

For the Talibanthe global war againstterrorism has a religious nature. Other Islamic countries do not necessarilyshare this view. Even our own mainstream Muslim religious leaders inthe Philippines do not believe that a jihad is justified.

In factthe target ofthe global war against terrorism is not Islam or any Islamic state inso far as they are Islamic. The target is a group of terrorists whoin the mind of mainstream Muslim believersare wrongfully using thename of Islam to promote a very narrow interpretation of Islam. A localexampleof courseis when Muslim religious leaders condemned the terrorismof the Abu Sayyaf group as un-Islamic and barbariceven though theAbu Sayyaf claimed that Islam justifies their actions.

Yet while Islamic countriesmay reject the call for jihadwe do know that even in the Philippinesindividuals sympathetic to the cause of Osama Bin Laden will echo thecall of jihad.

Effect of the globalwar on terrorism on Christian-Muslim relationships in the Philippines

Sadlythe all-out warby the Estrada administration in 2000 on the MILF and the Abu Sayyafgroup had the effect of intensifying Christian-Muslim biases and prejudices.The global war on terrorismespecially if the Taliban were to be attackedwould definitely not improve the situation.

Mainstream Muslim believerswould probably understand the attacks on Osama Bin Laden and his variousterrorists groupsand on the Afghanistan regime for supporting andharboring Bin Laden. But such understanding may not be necessarily expectedof grassroots sympathizers of narrow fundamentalist beliefs. Thereforeone would expect some negative impact on Christian-Muslim relationshipsespecially if the global war is long and protracted.

Religious leaders of bothIslam and Christianity must cooperate in defusing tensions by helpingprovide their faithful with a deeper understanding of global terrorismits causesas well as the specific targets of the war. The main principleto be taught has to be that the global war is not against Islambutagainst a terrorist group spreading its own interpretation of Islamby violent meansregardless of innocent victims all over the world.

The response of the Philippine government

In the light of the Church’s basicposition described abovethe Philippines cannot shirk its moral responsibilityto end terrorism in our own country. This is its first duty. Neithercan it shirk its moral responsibility as a member of the family of nationsto end global terrorism. Global terrorismafter allis not withoutlinks to terrorism in the Philippines.

Thereforethe advicethat one can give the Philippine government is: cautiously and wiselydiscern what kind of active cooperation the Philippines can give tothe global war; be prudent and be moderate in the response; and preparefor any retaliatory attacks by terrorist groups. I believe that we shouldbe doing more to prepare for any retaliationsince we have alreadyexperienced terrorist attacks not only in the South but also in otherparts of the countryincluding Metro Manila. Presumably there willalso be some groups who wish to promote their own political agenda andtake advantage of the situation. The government should also preparefor this possibility.

Whatever the responseas religious believers the bottom line that we must all resort to isprayer to the God of Peace and Lovea deep faith in God who alone cangive genuine and lasting peace not only to the human heart but to thewhole human family.”

[Philippine Oblates arenot strangers to terrorist acts like kidnappings and assassinationsat the hands of extremists. By remaining in their missions and workingtogether in a spirit of dialogue and friendship with Muslim communitiesthey seek to dissipate the fear and distrust which terrorist actionsleave in their wake.]

Pakistana predominantlyMuslim country with a more than 2000 km border with Afghanistanisthe only country to maintain diplomatic relations with the Taliban regimein Afghanistan. While Pakistan is ready to play a role of mediationit is also at the risk of an extremist backlash if the U.S. takes anyretaliatory military action against Afghanistan for harbouring the suspectedmastermind of the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

The Oblate parish in Quettawhere Fr Maximus P. FERNANDO and three other Oblates are workingrunsalong 60% of the Afghan border. Anticipating military action by theU.S.thousands of Afghans are swarming across the border into the area.Even many Pakistanis who are living near the border have shifted theirfamilies to the interior. While the Oblates are fearful of any backlashfrom the extremists they are also bracing up to do what they can tomeet the humanitarian needs resulting from this mass exodus.

In a brief message datedOctober 1^stDelegation SuperiorFr Victor GNANAPRAGASAMdescribed the situation. “Wellhere the whole of Pakistan is ina tense situation. Quetta and Peshawar are worse. There are a lot ofrumours about an imminent attack on Afghanistan. Most of the foreignershave left the countryincluding priests and nuns. The Christians areliving in fear and tension. Any timewe and our institutions couldcome under attack from fundamentalist groups. We have left the futurein the hands of God and are going on with our normal day to day life.”

Japan: Lifeissues.net– 1 year later

Many Oblates are among the 1000 peoplewho each week receive the Lifeissues newsletter in their e-mailfrom Fr Jerry NOVOTNY. It was a year ago September that OMI Informationnoted the launching of the lifeissues.net web site and this e-mailservice (OMI Info #393).

This web sitewhich isdedicated to providing “clear thinking on crucial issues”concerning bioethicsis now receiving an average of between 1500 and3000 “hits” or visits daily. Fr Jerry reports that Augustwas the best month yet. Monday and Tuesday are the biggest days. Interestseems to be stirred by the reception of the e-mail newsletter over theweekend. People from over 60 countries are using this website. The top10 listed are: AustraliaUnited KingdomCanadaUnited StatesSingaporeDenmarkNew ZealandItalyMalaysiaBelgium. Other countries closeto the top of the list are GermanyFranceSouth AfricaSpainNetherlandsPolandPhilippinesIndonesiaMexicoand Saudi Arabia.

One month ago Jerry openeda similar website in Japanese. It is receiving about 800 visitors perday. In October a Japanese e-mail newsletter will also be available.

Thailand: 2001 –a year of blessings

Delegation SuperiorFrPierre Thamniyom PRICHA reports that 2001 was a year of blessings forthe General Delegation of Thailand with the ordination of two priests(Frs Pierre Waiprot PUTTHASA and Matthieu Bunlue RACHAKIT) and the perpetualoblation of two other native sons (Joseph Phonsri THONGKAM and ThomasNarinrak THOTSAPORN).

It is exactly 25 yearsago this month that the General Delegation of Thailand was established.Prior to the expulsion of missionaries from Laos by the communist governmentin 1975Thailand had been a district of the Vientiane (Laos) Province.When the General Administration established the Delegation in 1976 therewere 13 Oblates attached to it. Today they number 26.

The group is very international: 1 Laotian (Bishop Jean KhamseVicar Apostolic of Vientiane)1 Belgian3 Italians3 Filipinos8 French and 10 Thais. The ten Thai Oblatesinclude 3 priests1 Brother1 deacon1 scholastic in perpetual vowsand 4 in temporary vows. The Delegation also boasts 4 novices this year.Considering the size of the Catholic Church in Thailandthere is reasonto give thanks to the Lord for sending “workers into the vineyard.”

Fourteen Oblates from11 different Oblate Provinces attended the first “New CultureNew Evangelisation Seminar” sponsored by the General Administrationand the Oblate Communications Network (OBCOM). It was held at the Crec-Avexmedia center in Lyons from August 26 to September 15.

The pioneer group includedparticipants from HaitiZambiathe PhilippinesGuatemalaCanadaGermanySri LankaBangladeshSouth AfricaLesothoand Brazil andanimators from FranceMexicoKorea and Thailand.

In a communication atthe end of the session on September 15the participants said: “Weare all grateful to have lived a unique international community experienceand worked alongside our very capable teacher and brother OblatePierreBabin. We were all amazed at the wealth of experience that he and hisprofessional team had to offer and were blessed by his fraternal mannerand humility.

“For usit was anawakening to the reality of media and communication and to the responsibilitiesthat these bear on the mission. We now desire to follow the footstepsof our Founder who was himself an innovative communicator in his dayand age. Inasmuch as this was a “pilot” group that lived thisexperiencewe recommend that future sessions be offered to Oblatesinterested in media.

“We also recommendthat Major Superiors be aware of and encourage Oblates to work in thissector. Faced with a new cultural reality which requires a change ofmentality and not just the acquisition of new toolswe are aware thatit is not a question of placing one more book (communications)on ourshelf of Oblate intellectual baggagebut of changing our mentalityand missionary identity.”

Poland: Israel honorsPolish Oblate

Last DecemberOMIInfo (#396Dec. 2000) reported the decision of the Government ofIsrael to honor Fr Ludwik WRODARCZYK with the title “Righteousamong the Nations.” While this decision was taken by a specialgovernment commission in August 2000the official certificate and medalwere presented to Polish Provincial Pawel LATUSEK this past June.

Mr. Shevach WeisstheAmbassador of Israel to Poland made the presentation in Warsaw on June5. The text of the certificatein Hebrew and Polishsays that theCouncil of the Righteous among the Nations at the Yad Vashem Instituteawards this medal to Fr Wrodarczyk for risking his life to save Jewsduring the Nazi persecutions of the Second World War. The reverse sideof the medal shows the mausoleum of Yad Vasehm and bears the priest’sname and the inscriptionWith the gratitude of the Jewish People.There is also a quotation from the Talmud: Whoever saves one lifesaves the entire universe.

Fr Ludwik Wrodarczyk wasborn August 251907. At the age of 20 he made first vows and was ordaineda priest June 101933. His first two years of ministry were spent atthe Marian shrine in Koden. From 1936 to 1939 he was treasurer at theMarcowice novitiate where Blessed Jozef Cebula was Superior. In August1939 he and Bro Karol DZIEMBA were sent to Okopy to open a parish inthat village situated on what was then the Soviet border with Poland.PolesJews and Ukrainians lived in the zonebut not without difficulties.During the war years the area was occupied by the Sovietsthen theGermansand again by the Soviets. It was during the occupation by theNazi forces that Fr Ludwik risked his life to hide and feed the Jews.As the German troops withdrewa time of settling accounts between Ukrainiansand Poles brought new suffering to these eastern territories. December61943Ukrainian partisans occupied the village of Okopy. Fr Wrodarczykwas taken from the churchviolently tortured and killed. The firststeps for his beatification have been initiated.

Spain: Las Oblatas diM.I.

A “female branch”of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate? Eyebrows went up when members ofthe General House community noticed that all the names on a invitationto a vow ceremony posted on the bulletin board were all feminine. Werethey the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (O.M.M.I.) founded byFr Louis-Marie Parent? No! They are a new religious institute of womenwho wish to live the charism of Eugene de Mazenod

On September 8^ththe Cardinal Archbishop of MadridAntonio Maria Rouco Varela approvedthe Statutes of the Association of the Missionary Oblates (Oblatas)of Mary Immaculate as a religious institute of diocesan right. The followingday eight women between the ages of 23 and 33 pronounced vows in thenewly established institute. Four made perpetual profession and thefour others temporary. The archbishop himself presided at the ceremonyof profession. The superior of the communitywhich already has threepostulantsis 25 year old Cristina Jiménez Domíngueza medical doctor.

The beginning

It all began in 1996 when six of the newlyprofessedwho were members of youth communities in Oblate parishesmet during the national youth gathering the Oblates have each year atPozuelo (Madrid). The eight young women felt an attraction to the consecratedlife and to the charism of St. Eugenebut there was unfortunately nofemale branch of the Congregation. Fr Marcello ZAGOat the time visitingin Spain as Superior Generalencouraged them to continue discerningthe will of the Lord. In April of 1997 they met and decided that theywould like to try living together as a community. The opportunity wasprovided when the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux terminatedtheir service at Emmaus Housean Oblate retreat house in Pozuelo. Theeight young women agreed to take their place thus securing a place tolive as a community and a means to support themselves financially. Theybegan common life September 14 of that year.

Discerning the future

The Vicar for Religious of the Dioceseof MadridJosé Luis Huescarplayed an active role in guidingthe new community. He asked that they study the Constitutions and Rulesof the Oblates to discern if that was the charism the Lord was callingthem to live. He also asked them to continue their civil studies andto begin some theological formation. The new community drew up a simplerule of life that includes oraison in commoncelebration ofthe liturgyrevision of lifedays of retreatwork in the retreathouse and pastoral activities in surrounding parishes.

More detailed Statuteswere drawn up and submitted to the Archbishop of Madrid who approvedthem Sept. 241998thus recognizing the new community as a PublicAssociation of the Faithful. This was the first step towards recognitionas an institute of diocesan right this year.

The birth of this newcongregation of women who wish to live the Oblate charism is the fruitof the many years of nurturing youth communities in Oblate parishesin Spain. The parish in Malagafor examplehas three such communitiesof young adults (about 60 young men and women). They try to attend dailyMassdo daily meditation and prayershave regular spiritual directionweekly meetings and a weekly missionary task. They are all very involvedin the life of this active parish. All the vocations at the Oblate scholasticatein Pozuelolike these Oblatashave come from these youth communities.Several Spanish Oblates have accompanied these young women on theirjourneyproviding the sacraments and spiritual directionbut leavingthem freedom to discern God’s will. Spanish ProvincialLuis IgnacioRUISis the Ecclesiastical Representativeor liaison between the newinstitute and the diocese.

Aix-en-Provence: 3 weekswith St. Eugene: "Enraptured with God"

From 8 to 29 of August29 scholastics from Europe – and from other parts of the world– came together in Aix-en-Provence for a session in preparationfor perpetual vowsa “second novitiate”as proposed by recentGeneral Chapters and by the General Norms for Oblate Formation.More simply putit could be called “three weeks with St. Eugene.”The initiativewas born at a meeting of the superiors of the Europeanscholasticates held in Romein 1999. The program was drawn up by theEuropean Committee for Formation (BEF) after extensive consultationand given full hearted backing by all the Provincials of Europe.

Babel or Pentecost?

Hospitality and respectwere the keywords of the session. It was a great challengeconsideringthat the participants came from very different religious and culturalworldsand that more than one language was needed to communicate: “Wewill have to speak only one languagein these dayssaid Fr GennaroCicchese (Italy)director of the session“the language of love.”

There was no simultaneoustranslation. This slowed down the pace and was tiresome for those whoknew more than one language. The spiritual guides also served as goodtranslators: Piotr Piasecki (Poland) and Athanasius Jones (Germany)Angelo Capuano and Paolo Archiati (Italy) with some scholastics fromthe international scholasticate and the excellent WiesBaw Ayko (Poland)who is able to translate several European languages and speaks Italianbetter than an Italian. Fr Vincent Grubersecretary of the BEFlookedafter the logistics. Linguistic groups and work teams contributed tothe overall harmony of the session. It was like the life of a suigeneris scholasticate where for three weeksthere was time forprayerworkstudysportsleisure and rest. The most beautiful testimonyat the end of the meetingwas from our orderly Teutonic confreres:“We feared that it would be a Tower of Babelbut instead it turnedout to be a true Pentecost.”

With St. Eugene“enraptured with God”

Fr Frank Santucci (GeneralHouse)animator of the sessionhelped us taste the history of theyoung Eugene: his touching meeting with God and his conversion. He experiencedthe “WOW” of Godthe wonder of God’s presence and thedesire to communicate this to everybody. It was a living Eugene thatappeared before our eyesone that we could seefeeltouch. “Wehave read and studied so much about himbut only here did we realizewho Eugene de Mazenod really was” candidly confessed the Spaniards.It was the grace of the momentwithout a doubtand of the place. Itwas the purpose of the sessioncentered fullyas the final evaluationshowedon a living and actual charismmade still the more fascinatingby the historical places visited on pilgrimage. We also discovered thelittle known dimension of Eugene as bishopa colossus of the Churchthanks to the “fiery” presentation by Fr. Bernard Dullier.

A Provencal manger figurine“le ravi” – “the enraptured one” – becamethe symbol of the session. The “enraptured one” is a youthwith lifted arms and empty hands. He brings no gifts to the child Jesusbut offers himself and contemplates the wonder of God. It is an imagethat perfectly fits Eugene“enraptured with God”and a stimulusfor all the candidates to be like himand with him“enrapturedwith God.”

Teamworkfraternityinternationality

The success of the sessionis undoubtedly due to a particular grace from Godthat surpassed allour effortsplanninghopes and expectations. It was also due in partto “teamwork”: the good preparation by the central teamplusthe contribution of the spiritual guides and the Oblate community ofAix.

Fr Francis Jochumsuperiorof the Aix communitydid everything possible to make us comfortableand reminded us that “still today there is a living community inthe historical places of St. Eugene.”

The depth of what we experiencedin these days is no doubt due to the grace of the historical placesof the charismto the warm reception of the Aix community and the experienceof internationality: to be together in the joy of Oblate fraternitythat overcomes every border of language and nation.

One of the scholasticsfrom the International Scholasticate in Rome said“I learnt morein these three weeks that in one year at the scholasticate.” (Froma report by Gennaro Cicchese.)

United States: Whereare they working?

Fr David ULLRICHthe Mission Directorof the United States recently released a report on the deployment ofU.S. Oblates. While 56 members are fully retiredthere are 309 menactive full-time in mission of some sort. Fifteen are in the foreignmissions the Province is responsible for in Baja California (Mexico)TahitiRecife (Brazil) and Zambia. Including the scholastics in theU.S. and its missions the Province has 504 members.

In the continental U.S.A.there are 294 Oblates involved in full-time ministry. Forty-seven percentor 137are full-time in parish ministry. They are assisted by about30 other Oblates on a part-time basis. They minister in 90 parishes.Half of these are “transcultural” i.e. involving a racecultureor language other than the predominant one. Three of the parishes servedare Native American and five are African American. In 37 parishesor40% of the parishes served by U.S. OblatesSpanish is needed for ministry.Twenty of those are almost totally Spanish speaking.

Fifty-three percent (157Oblates) are involved full-time in non-parish ministry. They work inretreat houseseducationshrinesformation housesadministrationand as chaplains. Several also work in non-parochial situations withHaitian and Asian immigrants. The report also noted that 66 U.S. bornOblates are working in 14 foreign countries as missionaries. (From OMIUSA.)

David Kumar ANTHONY (India) : The PastoralCare of Refugees in the 1983 Code of Canon Law with Special Referenceto Chaplains for Refugees. A dissertation for the licientiate inCanon Law. The author describes the situation of refugees in many partsof the world and makes us aware that the concern for them is one oftoday’s needs as well as a new field of pastoral care that challengesthe Church. Pontifical Gregorian UniversityRome2001126 pp.

Pierre BABIN : (France)[www.internet-God]Korean translation of the French original.PcLine2001255 pp.

Hilario BALMÈS(+1948) : Un apóstol incomparable (An Incomparable Apostle.)Spanish translation of a brief biography of Fr. Charles Dominique Albinito help the young members of the Vice Province of Chile to know thisholy priest from the Congregation’s foundation times. AntofagastaEMELNOR NORprint200151 pp.

Yvon BEAUDOIN (GeneralHouse) : Francisco de Paula Enrique TEMPIER segundo padre de losO.M.I. (François de Paule Henry Tempiersecond father ofthe O.M.I.). A collection of writings and the testimony of contemporariesabout a man who played an important role in the Congregation at theFounder’s side for close to 50 years. Spanish translation by FélixErvitiFortunato Alonso et Olegario Dominguez. AsunciónParaguay2001288 pp.

Fabio CIARDI : (Italy)Eugenio de Mazenodun carisma di missione e di comunione. Koreantranslation by Seo Ke-sun. (cf. Info OMI 337/95). St. PaulsSeoulKorea2001282 pp.

Fabio CIARDI (Italy) :Menschen des Geistes. Zu einer Theologie des Gründercharismas.(Men of the Spirit. Towards a Theology of the Charism of Founders.)German translation of the ItalianI fondatori uomini dellospirito. (FoundersMen of the Spirit.) Patris VerlagVallendar-Schönstatt1987378 pp.

StanisBaw CZY| (Poland):Z Maryjna spotkanie z ojcem (Meeting the Father with Mary.)Marian meditations. BonamiPoznaD2001123 pp.

Willi HENKEL et MarekROSTKOWSKI : (General House). Bibliographia Missionaria Vol.LXIV (2000). Pontificia Universitas UrbanianaCité du Vatican2001382 pp.

Philip JESUTHASAN (SriLanka) : Our Tribute. Volume IIPart I. Second in theseries of three volumes of short biographies of the Oblates who workedin the Lord’s vineyard in Sri Lanka during the period 1848-1998.The Oblate Study ClubOblate ScholasticateAmpitiyaSri Lanka2001252 pp.

William A. LEISING (U.S.A.): Arctic Wings. New edition of the stirring autobiography ofan unusual priest in one of the most forsaken areas of the world. Invivid and exciting detailFr Leising tells how he came to work amongthe men and women scattered in the Arctic wastelands and describes hiswidely varied missionary activities. I.J.A. PublicationsBangalore2001335 pp.

Eugène de MAZENOD(France) : Roman diary 1825-182618451854. English translationof the collection of the pages from Eugene de Mazenod’s diary whichconcern his trips to Rome in 1825-18261854 and 1854. This volume roundsout our knowledge of some aspects of the Founder : his love for thechurch and devotion to the Popehis interest in liturgical ceremoniesand religious monumentshis administrative measures and his businessor friendly relations with several cardinalsand other members of theclergy. Collection Oblate Writings Vol. 17. Translated by RonaldZIMMER. Oblate General ArchivesRome2001266 pp.

Mick NGUNDU (Congo) :Vie consacrée et sociétés de vie apostolique.(Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.) A commentary onCanons 573-746 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law relating to the Institutesof Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life. These thoughtsborn in the Christian communities of Africa will provide persons engagedin the consecrated life with a practical handbook to face the difficultiesand responsibilities of their life. Les Editions Baobab2000212 pp.

W. L. A. Don Peter :Oblates Serve in Lanka. This work recalls the work of some of theoutstanding Oblate personalities who worked in Lanka and were the chiefarchitects of the modern Church there. ColomboSri Lanka200086pp.

Laurent ROY (General House): Directory. Oblate Lay Associations. This booklet presents ahistory of the differnetn ways of association with the Congregationthe honorary Oblatesthe Missionary Association of Mary Immaculateand the new phenomenon of lay associates. It is part of the GeneralCouncil’s commitment to foster closer relationships with the groupsof laity that have special ties with the Oblates and with the charism.(See Communiqué Jan. ’99) It also has useful addressesof lay associate groupsM.A.M.I. directors…. (Available in EnglishFrench and Spanish). General HouseRome200148 pp.

Marcello SGARBOSSA (Italy):Affinché ne seguiamo le orme. (To Follow in His Footsteps.)

Useful handbook for parishmissions. It describes the biblical journey of a people on missionthe experiences of religious missionaries and lay persons who are involvedin forming ecclesial communities in Italy. Centro Agape – OMI -MessinaVolume 3September 1994116 pp.

Walenty ZAPAATA (Poland): Nie[ Boga Ukrainie (Carrying God to the Ukraine). History ofthe Oblate foundation in the Ukraine. PoznaD-Bonami2001259 pp.

Giovanni ZEVOLA (Korea):What is so Funny ? Sense of Humor in Pastoral Care; a TheologicalPerspective. Beginning with a personal overview of theconcept of humorthe author describes the depth and splendor of theterm. He seeks to awaken the joy that it causesto appreciate its necessityand to affirm its indispensable character for Christian life. Dissertationfor the licentiate in spiritual and pastoral care. Loyola College inMaryland199970 pp.

The Oblate familyof lay associates is growing day by day! The proof is in this news thatwe send you today that permits us to “link” up with the membersof our Family who though separated by distances feel closely unitedin friendshipprayer and mission. Here are some excerpts from threeof our correspondents.

Ryszard Szmydkio.m.i.Ass. Gen.

A light in ROMANIA...

Dear Ryszardyou willbe happy to know that a small light has started to shine in Romaniaconcerning the laity. You visited the Oblate community at Maracineniand you know some of the lay people in Pitesti who are a real help tous. Since thenthe community has come to know other lay personstobe close to them and to involve them in some aspects of our life. Wedecided to invite them for two days for a simple and brotherly meeting.The response was nearly unanimous: nearly all participated on one orthe other day in our communal activities. Some even came from the neighboringvillages. The novices also joined us for these days.

During the first daywe presented in a synthetic way the life of St. Eugenehis charismand our work in Italy. The second daywe spoke to them about St. Eugene’slast momentsabout his spiritual testament. We then dwelt more in depthon some elements of personal formation and spoke about the way of lifein the community. All during the meeting we referred continually tothe icon that the Fr Tonino had painted for the occasion. It is a verybeautiful icon of the triumphant Christ on the crosswith St. Eugenecontemplating him and behind them a crowd that spreads to the horizon.The two half_days lived together were marked by a beautiful fraternitywhere we shared meals and heard a variety of different songs.

Out of this meeting camethe proposal to have some kind of program of formation next year anda commitment to identify the needs of people so that we could developsomething concrete. The monthly meetings that we will begin from June9 will be the opportunity to look at various aspects of our charism.The objective is to nurture the communion between laity and the Oblatecommunity. So begins our experience in Romania with some lay peoplewho have discovered a new aspect to their lives and who turn with heartsfull of hope toward the charism of Saint Eugene.

Warm greetings to everyone.- Fr. Tonino Camelothe members of the community and Rolando Polzelli.

Dear Ryszardwe arehappy to remind you that it is ten years since the Oblate Associatesof Bolivia began their activities in Cochabamba. All during these yearsthere were various important meetingsat both the local and the nationallevel. By means of these brotherly and spiritual meetingssome laypeople have become knowledgeable about community prayerparish ministryand the Oblate charism. Several Oblates have accompanied them on theirjourneytaking part in their regular meetingstheir annual gatheringsgiving them conferences and even retreats especially adapted for them.I might add that for several years our Associates have taken part inthe annual meeting of the Oblates of the Bolivia Province that is heldeach year in July in Cochabamba. It is now an established custom. Thesemeetings create a link between the Oblates and their Associates in Bolivia.

The association does nothave statutes yetonly a draft. We plan to draw up a directory forBolivia in the near future. The number of Associates has increased alittle bit: from the two first members (a couple)we are now abouttwenty. The age is between 20 and 70... All the Associates are engagedin a pastoral work or in evangelizationeither in Cochabambaor inthe Minesor in Santa Cruz. In that city for examplethe Associateshelp families who are going through a time of conflictthey visit thesick or direct community teams. I am the national directorofficiallyappointed by the Provincial and Council at the beginning of 2000. Eachsector has an Oblate who is responsible for the Associates.

During the last Oblatevocation week (May 21 to 29) the Associates organized various activitiesin their respective sectors. At Santa Cruzfor the third consecutiveyear we had a novena to the Founder. Each eveningan Associate presenteda reflection based on the themes suggested by Fr. Mubesala. On the lastnightthree Associates renewed their commitment while six others madetheir first commitment. These are commitments for one year. Each wasgiven a nice portrait of the Founder.

In closing let me assure you that we alwaysenjoy reading The Link.

– Roberto Lacasseo.m.i.

Sandra wrote of her sorrowat the death of Archbishop Marcello Zago and the fond memory that shehas of him when she had the joy of meeting him personally at the congressin Aix_en_Provence in 1996. She also recalled the welcome that he gaveher at the General Chapter in 1998. Sandra likewise mentioned how hardshe was tested by the illness and the death of her daughter Cathy lastFebruary 24; Cathy was 34 years old. Sandra continues to be in chargeof coordinating religious education at Iona College.

With the appointment ofFr. Ryan as Provincial Sandra hopes to relaunch with greater vigor aprogram to develop the Association of lay Oblates in Australia.The formerProvincialFr. Moroneywas always open to suggestions and encouragingso she is sure of the same support from Fr. Ryan... (So are weSandra!)

She adds : “I amencouraged by all the information you send us on what is happening inother regions. I read all that I can find on the Internet and Oblatesitesand I am inspired by the news that I read in The Linkeven though I have not yet had the time to make direct contact withLay Associates in other parts of the world. I intend to do so duringthe second half of the year. A few months after my return from Romea national planning committee started working; but the departure ofone of the two Oblates on the committee as well as the time I had togive to my sick daughter were kind of a brake on my enthusiasm. Thishoweverin no way stopped the Lay Associates from working activelywith the Oblates in Australia.”

Sandra ends her letterasking that we pray for herfor the Associates in Australiaso thattogether the Provincialthe Counciland the laity may work togetherfor their common mission.

_ Dear Sandrait iswith joy and recognition for everything that you do that I join allthe Associates of the Oblate world in praying for the intentions thatyou recommend to us and for the eternal rest of your dear Cathy; werecommend her to the mercy of our Father in Heaven.

- Ryszard Szmydkio.m.i.
RomeOctober 2001