March 2023 Issue

From the Provincial, Fr. Louis Studer, OMI

Dear Friend,

For nearly a month, I was fortunate to be in Italy for the General Chapter of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. This was the time when Oblates from around the world gathered to elect new leadership and chart a path for the future.

Several people came away from the General Chapter with promotions or increased responsibilities. I got a T-shirt. But it is a very nice T-shirt.

On the T-shirt is the theme of the chapter, “Pilgrims of Hope in Communion.” Those few words beautifully sum up what it is to be a Missionary Oblate. And just as important, it also expresses your role in our Oblate family.

You truly are a “Pilgrim of Hope in Communion with the Oblates.” You help us bring hope to the poor and needy not only here in the United States but in 70 countries around the world.

During the chapter, we held a lengthy discission about the chapter theme. And something became very clear to me during that session, we need to do an even better job of letting our friends and benefactors know how grateful we are to have them as “co-pilgrims of hope” in our ministries.

One way we can do this is through Oblate World magazine. So, as you turn the pages of this issue, please know that you are truly our partner in these vital Oblate ministries.

Thank you for your generous heart. I look forward to our future efforts together as Pilgrims of Hope to a world in need.