Final Message from the International Lay Associations Congress
From August 3 to 10, 2025, in Aix-en-Provence, lay people from across the globe came together to listen to the Holy Spirit and discern new paths for living and sharing the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod among the laity.
At the conclusion of the International Lay Associations Congress, Mr. Stefano Dominici, Coordinator of Lay Associates and Associations, addressed a letter to the Charismatic Family, sharing the final message and key insights from the Congress.
FINAL MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LAY ASSOCIATIONS CONGRESS
2025: Charting New Paths for Oblate Laity
Rome, 31 August 2025
Dear all, consecrated and lay members of the charismatic Oblate family,
attached I send the document representing the final message that the participants of the International Lay Associations Congress “Aix 2025: Charting New Paths for Oblate Laity “, gathered, inspired by the Holy Spirit in an atmosphere of listening and mutual respect, during the week-long meeting in the foundation house from 3 to 10 August 2025.
The main purpose of the final message is to bring together the concrete proposals that we intend to implement, as oblate laity, in the near future. However, it is important to emphasise an important aspect, which was the basis that permeated all the work. This is the grace experienced by the participants, who experienced the strength of communion, the strength of meeting with foreigners in the same spirit as one meets in one’s own group, the strength of looking at commitments that can be frightening when thought of on a global scale, but which one wants to face together, with courage and confidence. I say it better: with Hope. Something great was built during these 7 days in Aix. If we are united in Jesus, living and embracing the charism in which God has placed us, we can do great things.
Concrete steps have been outlined. A programme of actions has been drawn up.
Most important of all, however, is having made community, having looked together at the present and the future of the oblate laity. We have built ourselves, each other, as people; and people are the most precious value. It will be through people that the organisation, programmes and objectives will come to life.
We are Pilgrims of Hope in communion, on the same path with the congregation. Only a few days after the Lay Congress in Aix, at the inter-chapter taking place in India, these words were spoken:
“The second part of the day turned to the Lay Associates, who share in the Oblate charism. Inspired by 1 Cor 12,4-12, the conversation revealed that their collaboration is not a strategy but a spirituality, a way of living together in the Church by listening to the Spirit in diversity. Recalling the mandate of the last Chapter, participants prayed with the words: “The Lay Associates recognize their mutual vocational call to the charism, their profound sense of belonging together, and their commitment to mission lived out through the charism of St. Eugene” (PHC 18.2).
On this same inspiration, I quote a few lines from Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate who in a recent post on the blog “Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us” by Fr. Frank Santucci, writes:
“Our mutual vocation which is so much more than the role that we live out in our daily lives; rather it is the spirit of how we live out our various roles in life. Mutuality becomes our way of living and loving. Our responses may look a little different, depending on our cultures and milieu but it is the Spirit who invites and accompanies us through members of this Oblate Charismatic Family.
We are pilgrims of hope in communion – so much more than just a “catchy” name. Nor is it a matter of how we are called. It is the Spirit herself who touches us in such a specific way that we are unable to help ourselves. Our hearts continue to find a home…”
Praised be Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
By Stefano Dominici – Coordinator of Lay Associates and Associations
Published on the OMI World website
