A Journey of Mission and Solidarity: From San Antonio to Makeni

At meaningful intervals, a container departs from the offices of the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate USA (MAMI) in San Antonio, Texas. It does not carry only supplies. It carries mission, memory, and the enduring bond between the Missionary Oblates of the United States Province and the Oblate Delegation of Zambia.

This year’s container held hundreds of pounds of materials—garments, devotional items, tools, furnishings, and more. Coordinating such a shipment is no small task. It requires months of planning, careful inventory, international documentation, and collaboration across continents. From securing the right items to navigating customs and transport logistics, every step demands precision, patience, and prayer.

After its long journey across oceans and borders, the container arrived at DeMazenod House of Formation in Makeni, Zambia, just outside the capital city of Lusaka. There, the contents were carefully unloaded into one of the rooms at the prenovitiate house. From this central point, the items would be distributed through the Delegation of Zambia to support missions and communities in need.

For the young men in formation, the arrival of the container was a moment of grace. It was a tangible sign that they were not alone. That others, far away, were walking with them in faith and in mission. For the Missionary Oblates of the United States Province, it was a reaffirmation of their commitment to global accompaniment, to the nurturing of vocations, and to the strengthening of the Church in places where resources are limited but faith is abundant.

This container, sent only once in a great while, is more than a shipment. It is a legacy. It is a testament to the enduring partnership between provinces and to the shared hope that animates the Missionary Oblate family across the world.

Written by Roger Brooks, MAMI USA