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Discover the Heart of the Oblate Mission
The cross of Jesus Christ is central to our mission. Like the apostle Paul, we “preach Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2)… Through the eyes of our crucified Savior we see the world which He redeemed with His blood, desiring that those whom He continues to suffer will know also the power of His resurrection. (Phil 3:10)
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are a Roman Catholic congregation of priests and brothers serving poor and abandoned people in the United States and 70 countries around the world.
Missionaries of hope who walk with the poor and forgotten, wherever the need is greatest for over 200 years. Today more than 3,500 Missionary Oblates are ministering in some of the world’s most difficult missions, reaching out to serve those most in need. We bring comfort to the sick, food to the hungry, shelter for victims of natural disasters, and hope for all. We bring peace to war-torn nations and spiritual healing to people in need. Their ministries are a testament to the profound effect God’s love has on the communities they serve.
Saint Eugene De Mazenod, founder of the Missionary Oblates, had a passion for the cross that he instilled in all of his Oblate brothers. He felt the cross was a sign of Jesus’ sacrifice which redeems sinners and re-establishes the covenant with God. Furthermore, it was a sign of love and reconciliation.
The founder wished each of his missionary sons to wear a missionary cross as a distinctive sign of conversion. He wanted the cross to be “a sacred sign of our apostolic mission” as well as “an essential part of our religious habit… given on the day of profession as a distinctive sign of our ministry.” Oblates have since always carried their Oblate Crosses to their missions around the world as a sign of God’s mercy, and as a constant reminder of the virtues of humility, charity and modesty.
By 1830, the passing on of the missionary crosses from deceased Oblates to new Oblates was already part of the Oblate tradition. Each new Oblate received the cross of one of his deceased brothers so that he could be inspired by and further the legacy of his predecessor. This tradition of passing on the Oblate Cross is still an important part of Oblate perpetual vows ceremonies. The passing on of the Oblate Cross is not just a continuance of the legacy of St. Eugene De Mazenod but it is also a symbol of Oblate brotherhood in Christ.
Stay Connected with the Oblates Wherever You Are
Each morning, you’ll receive a devotional prayer that is sure to encourage and challenge your faith. Join us in unleashing God’s blessings through our dedication to Him in prayer.
Oblate Academy
It’s easy to overlook a child’s spiritual life. But whether you’re a parent, grandparent, godparent, teacher, or mentor, you have the opportunity—and the calling—to lead them toward something far greater: a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
Oblate Academy’s Summer Faith Formation is your opportunity to do just that.