Newest Oblates Keep Vocation Fire Ablaze

As Brother Comfort Mwaza, OMI, made his First Vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, a large statue of Our Lady was over his shoulder. It was an appropriate backdrop, because Our Lady had a major impact on Bro. Comfort becoming a Missionary Oblate.

As a child, Bro. Comfort grew up in a very devout Catholic family in Zambia. When he was looking at joining a Catholic religious order, he chose the Oblates in large part because of their devotion to Mary Immaculate.

“The rosary has been the key to my calling,” said Bro. Comfort, who has been known to recite it as many as seven times a day. “The Blessed Virgin Mother is what keeps my vocation fire ablaze.”

Brother Comfort was recently joined by five other novices in making First Vows at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. The novitiate class was one of the largest and most diverse in several years. Brother Comfort was joined by fellow Zambian, Brother Alfred Mutale Maango. Two novices were from the Oblate mission in Baja, Mexico: Brother Carlos Martinez and Brother Luis Enrique Gonzalez. Brother Jose Minz is from India and Brother Mihn Lam is from the United States.

All of the novices are now scholastics at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. If everything goes as planned, they will be ordained in about six years.

In a social media post prior to First Vows, the novices expressed gratitude to the many Oblate benefactors and supporters who have made their journey possible. Since most novices come from disadvantaged communities, their home country cannot cover their expenses as seminarians. They must rely on generous benefactors like you to fund their time of discernment and studies.

“To everyone near and far who have accompanied us on this journey: thank you,” posted the novices. “Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we take this important step in our Oblate missionary life.”

Young Oblates Bring Fresh Perspective

Every few years, Missionary Oblates serving in the United States Province with less than ten years of experience of perpetual vows are invited to gather and share their experiences. The most recent gathering was held during the summer at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

The gathering was a chance for the provincial administration to join with the youngest members of the province to dialogue about the future of the province and the young Oblates’ perspective on that future.

“We were asked to propose ways in which the administration could provide for our needs as Oblates – young and well-experienced alike – to continue to be formed,” said Fr. Steven Montez, OMI, who was ordained in 2021. “The young Oblates were also asked to help discern the structure of the province with our present reality of ministry.”

The young Oblates bring a fresh approach to their ministries. Many use technology to spread their work to a much broader audience. For example, Fr. Victor Manuel Patricio Silva, OMI, shares the Good News through social media outlets such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. As many as 1,400 people tune in to some of his reflections.

These are the Oblates who attended the recent “Under 10” gathering:

  • Abraham Chimese – From Zambia and now Director of the U.S. pre-novitiate program.
  • Victor Manuel Patricio Silva – From Mexico and now serving at Holy Cross Parish in Buffalo, New York.
  • Vincent Adaikalasami – From India and now serves as Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Eagle Pass, Texas.
  • Henry Zayamoe – From Burma and now a member of the Oblate mission in Baja, Mexico.
  • Steven Montez – From the United States and now ministering at the Oblate mission in Baja, Mexico.
  • Elvis Mwamba – From Zambia and now Pastor at St. William Parish in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
  • Mateusz Garstecki – From the United States now ministering at the Sharing and Caring Hands Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • Solomon Gaja – From Nigeria and now at the Tekakwitha Indian Mission in northern Minnesota.
  • Basil Obieje – Originally from Nigeria and now ministering at St. Mary’s Church in San Antonio.

From the desk of Fr. David P. Uribe, OMI
Oblate Chaplain Director

Dear Friend,

What a difference an hour can make.

When six young men recently took First Vows as Missionary Oblates, they arrived well dressed, but undistinguished. An hour later, wearing brand new cassocks, they had been transformed into Missionary Oblates, achieving one of the major steps towards ordination.

I was fortunate to attend this transformation at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. And as I sat there, I kept thinking about friends and benefactors like you. These young men do not take their Oblate journey alone. There are many people who accompany them along the way, and you are definitely traveling with them.

From the very beginning, the Missionary Oblates have always been about transformation. Our founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod, had a profound spiritual awakening that transformed him from a disillusioned, wealthy youth into a passionate priest dedicated to serving the poor.

These young scholastics will continue to transform their lives as they discern and study for priesthood. And as missionaries, they will begin to transform the lives of their brothers and sisters in Christ, a blessing that will follow them for many years to come.

Through our common ministry, may we continue to transform the lives of others as we bring healing and hope to people in need.

Fund the Need—Double the Impact of Your Gift

When you make a donation to the Missionary Oblates, your generosity helps bring hope, faith and practical support to people in need. Through special matching gift opportunities, your donation can go even further – doubling the good it can accomplish.

Right now, your gift can have twice the impact. A generous benefactor in California has established a $500,000 match challenge with the Missionary Oblates in the Baja California mission (Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico). For every $1 you donate to this campaign, the benefactor will also give $1 which will double your donation and help your generosity reach even more people of that mission.

This current match challenge and others throughout the year help directly the needs of Oblate missions. In the past, match challenges have supported missions in Zambia and efforts for formation of seminarians and the elder and informed Oblates in the United States.

If you would like to make a donation or learn more about the current matching gift campaign, please contact us at 800-233-6264 or email charitablegifts@oblatesusa.org. Your decision to give today can help provide even more resources for Oblate ministries serving communities around the world.

Finally, a REAL Benefit Comes With Age…

Take advantage of the financial benefits that come with age. Gift yourself more financial stability through a charitable gift annuity and at the same time help those less fortunate.

Rita, age 80, used $10,000 to set up a charitable gift annuity with the Oblate Annuity Trust. In exchange for her gift, she receives lifetime annual payments of $810.

In addition, she benefits from an income tax charitable deduction of $4,597 this year.

For a free proposal, contact Kim with the Office of Charitable and Planned Giving at 800-233-6264 or email us at charitablegifts@oblatesusa.org.

DAF Day Is October 8

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) are the fastest growing form of philanthropy because they can drastically increase support for critical ministries like those of the Missionary Oblates. If you would like to learn more about this efficient form of gift-giving, please contact your gift advisor.

Rest In Eternal Peace

The Missionary Oblates are grateful to our friends who have remembered us through a bequest or charitable gift annuity. Please join us in prayer for these benefactors who have been called to their eternal rest with the Lord.

Katherine Baumchen
Marie Baumchen
Joseph Beaudette
Joseph Doherty
Joan E. Farrell
Anna M. Hofschulte
Joan M. Kennedy
Marilyn J. Kuntz
Mary H. Lenehan
Frances I. Liccar
Janet E. Mattes
Maureen T. O’Hara
Victoria Persoon
Dorothy J. Rasfeld
Joan Saehloff
Martha J. Schumann
James P. Skagerberg
Bonnie A. Soikowski
Gaynelle R. Van Gampleare