GENEAL ADMINISTRATION
The 37th General Chapter of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate was successfully concluded at Centro Ad Gentes in Nemi, Italy, on October 14, 2022. In the two weeks following the Chapter, the new and the former OMI Central Government communities spent quality time together as the Congregation’s leadership changed hands.
First they followed a three-day retreat in order to prepare themselves for what they called “the period of transition”. Then they held a series of discussions on the key topics pertaining to their responsibilities, mainly based on the General Administration Handbook.
The session conducted by Fr. David Kinnear Glenday, MCCJ, on the theme “Transition” was a highlight of the programme. The Directors of the six General Services of the Congregation (Oblate Studies, JPIC, Archives, Postulation, Communications, and Procurator to the Holy See) were also invited by the Superior General and his Council in order to get an overview of their portfolios.
The joint-session was concluded on October 26. The first Plenary Session of the new Central Government will take place in January next year. However, during the next two months, different members of the General Council will visit six Provinces; namely Cruz del Sur, Lesotho, Namibia, Jaffna (Sri Lanka), Poland, and Assumption (Canada).
Fr. Chicho, the Superior General, will also visit the Oblates in Aix-en-Province and Ukraine, before heading to Sahara, his former mission territory.
In the meantime, they will also be working on the official edition of the Acts of the 37th General Chapter. They are hopeful that it can be published soon, once they receive the Vatican’s approval of the changes made to the Constitutions and Rules.
Father General invites the Oblates to join hands with our new leadership team in order to make the call of the Chapter a reality; that we all be “Pilgrims of Hope” in communion with the Lord and his created world, very specially with the poor and the most abandoned.
