The Oblate Year of Vocations

Recently I had the privilege to celebrate the anniversaries of the Jubilarians of Taché District. Nine Oblates were honored by the community during the celebration of the Eucharist and a wine and cheese reception. These men served their Oblate community in internal ministries as Superiors, Councillors, Directors of Residences, including the office of Provincial of their former Taché Province. In their ministry at large they taught in classrooms, preached retreats, served First Nations, Pastors of Parishes, worked with adolescents, migrants and in JPIC ministry. Some came from foreign lands to serve the population of the north.  Generous response to the call of God!

Next October, the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will meet to discuss the theme of young people and the relationship between young people, faith and vocation. Pope Francis speaks of the call to joy that God addresses to us and how this is “God’s plan for men and women in every age”.

I sent out a short message earlier this year that caught my attention; a reflection of Henri Nouwen: “We tend to compare ourselves constantly with others and wonder why we are not as rich, as intelligent, as simple, as generous, or as saintly as they are. Such comparisons make us feel guilty, ashamed, or jealous. It is very important to realize that our vocation is hidden in where we are and who we are. We are unique human beings, each with a call to realize in life what nobody else can, and to realize it in the concrete context of the here and now: We will never find our vocations by trying to figure out whether we are better or worse than others. We are good enough to do what we are called to do. Be yourself!”.

We have begun a Year of Oblate Vocations throughout the world which will conclude Jan 25, 2019. The congregation acknowledges the need to address our commitment to invite new members to join us. The first Congress on Oblate Vocations in Aix-en-Provence in July 2016 and then at the General Chapter 2016, invited the Superior General to proclaim a “Year of Oblate Vocations.” The theme of this Year of Oblate Vocations is a beautiful one: “The Joy and Generosity of Oblate Life.” This echoes a constant theme of Pope Francis and will be the theme of the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the fall.

The first step for each one of us is to focus on our own experience of Joy and Generosity in our vocation. During this year we are invited to rediscover the dynamism of growing into our oblation and becoming more fully Oblate throughout our lives.

As our Superior General Louis Lougen questions; “Do I experience joy and generosity in living my Oblate vocation? Has my Oblate life imitated Jesus’ love for us until the end? What can I do to become more fully Oblate? The joy of our vocation is rooted in the mission. “What brings joy to your life?” The first answer is always that of our closeness to the poor. This special relationship we have with the poor comes from our charism and reflects the heart of Saint Eugene. We are touched by their capacity to be joyful even in oppressive situations. The poor teach us about joy and gratitude.”

Having a heart of gratitude was “the” lesson that the poor taught me in Kenya. Right from my first experience I witnessed this. Tartisio Riungu, a retired teacher was chairperson of the new parish of Kionyo which the Oblates had accepted. Tartisio visited me in my house/rectory. I made him a cup of tea. I set it before him and in silence he blessed himself and offered a prayer of thanks. Quite a shock to one who takes so much for granted!

Community life is not always easy but it is in relationship with people who care for us that we grow as persons. Despite difficulties, we know how to laugh at ourselves and to enjoy each other. I believe that our community living and closeness to the poor help us to recognize our own poverty.

The joy of our Oblate life is also present in our way of relating to God. The Founder often wrote of the joy he experienced in prayer and in the liturgy and this is surely part of our charism and a grace open to all of us.

Pray that we might all live more deeply the gift of joy. Does the joy of our Oblate life speak to young men today as a vocational call? How can we make it an invitation to them to consider our way of life?

That celebration in the Taché District, when we honored the Jubilarians made me aware that each Oblate is unique. Perhaps at various times each may have desired to be someone other than who they are. Yet each has realized in life what nobody else could. Thank you for your joyful and generous yes!

By Ken Forster, OMI