I had the opportunity of taking part in the 1st Oblate Latin American Congress on the pastoral care of vocations which took place in Aparecida, San Paulo, from 27 October to 2 November.
I was quite impressed by their openness. Only three women took part: two Oblate Associate laywomen – one single and one married, and I who was looked on as a “cousin” because of our historical links. The others were Oblate Priests and Brothers and included two General Councillors. In all, we were 27 participants representing 10 countries and 14 nationalities.
We had three days of formation including reflection on our own vocation, strategies for working with young people (to be adapted to each country later) and conclusions. We had a nationwide televised Mass in the National Basilica of Aparecida, in thanksgiving for 70 years of Oblate presence in Brazil. The atmosphere was very friendly.
What made me write this letter was the conviction of the value of our vocation and of the need for all the members of the Family to remind one another about it
Fr. Louis Lougen, Superior General of the Oblates was present by means of a video link. For me, he was a witness of humility, of enthusiasm for vocations and of missionary spirituality. He spoke very simply and committed himself to give spiritual, financial and physical help to the group’s initiatives.
In a letter which was read to us beforehand, he identified three groups in the Oblates: those who have decided to die, those who are stagnating or paralysed and those who want to be re-born.
The first group, he said, pray for light and are ready to die. Then he spoke about those who use the Congregation as a trampoline to achieve their own personal ambition and oppose the common projects of the Congregation. They have a very poor sense of belonging to the Congregation. This is a sad state of affairs.
However, there is another group who are enthusiastic about the Charism and have opted for re-birth with enthusiasm and passion. These are also concerned about community re-birth and vocations. They are totally supportive. They have also thought about “model community experiences” with some Oblates who want to bring about a kind of utopia. They depend on the General Administration while moving forward with their plans.
I think that our Founder, Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, spoke about the advantage of being joined to the Oblates in the context of our spiritual health. I felt this and, with the permission of the Provincial, Fr. P. Francisco Rubeaux, I adapted the material we worked with for our Family. That is what I want to share with you simply and joyfully. It could be useful.
United in the Holy Family.
Silvia Elena Coronel Mundaca. (Paulo de Moraes – Brazil)