Maggie Setsetse, MAMI
The Botswana Mission of Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) joined the whole world to celebrate the Oblates Day – marking the 198th Anniversary of the Papal Approval of the Constitution and Rules of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
The celebration was held on the 19th of February due to the Geographical spread of the Oblate Priests. The Oblates in Botswana are spread across the country in the remote areas of Kgalagadi in the Diocese of Gaborone and others in the remote Northern Parishes in the Diocese of Francistown. They had to fulfill their Pastoral obligations first in their Parishes before they converged at Holy Spirit Church, Mmankgodi for the celebration on Monday following the official date of the 17th February. In attendance were some Lay Associates of the Oblates commonly referred to as Missionary Associates of Mary Immaculate (MAMI) and some Stigmatine Priests.
The celebration started with Holy Mass celebrated by Father Provincial of Lesotho and Botswana, Rev. Fr Sidney Mothusi Boatile. In his homily, he stressed the Law of Love and Peace. He explained how people should love from home, community, and country to ultimately radiate Jesus’ LOVE. He encouraged us to be people of Love, Peace, and Celebration.
As the Mazenodian family, we should be open to one another, live our Charism through Love and Peace, and strive to change the face of the earth. Father Provincial urged all Oblates to be exemplary with their lives. He said, “If you lose your peace and love, you are not following the Law”.
Two letters were read to the community, one from Father Provincial of Lesotho and Botswana, Fr Boatile. In his letter, Fr Boatile encouraged all Oblates to familiarize themselves with their Book of Life. “May we allocate some time to look into the Constitutions and Rules, as individuals and as local communities during our spiritual reading times and our monthly recollections”. He explained that the Oblate Charism is not only lived by the “Vowed Oblates”, but it also attracts even the Laity who see in it a perfect way to attain sanctification. “I therefore urge all the Oblates to be brotherly to all the laity who are members of this family and those who are eager to join us as members of MAMI, or even as Friends of the Oblates. Let us be available to journey with them. They, too, are the Sons and Daughters of St Eugene de Mazenod”.
In his letter, the Superior General, Fr Chicho, also highlighted the importance of the Lay Associates of the Oblates. He mentioned that the laity’s passion for their Charism and mission helped them to try to live it more purely, generated a new enthusiasm, and provoked a new charismatic expansion in new associations and forms of Christian life. “We now better understand the responsibility of each one of us to enrich and safeguard the inheritance that the Spirit has bequeathed to us in St. Eugene”.
The introduction of the MAMI International Coordinator in the Superior General’s Structure during the 37th Chapter is testimony to the value and support given to MAMI communities throughout the world. Their voices and activities would be heard and shared systematically for their growth and the growth of the Mazenodian family worldwide. Borrowing from the Superior General’s message, he assures the laity (MAMIs) that the ball is in their court, they have all the support from the General Administration. They have to go out there and shine their light for the world to see, especially the poor and the marginalized.
