February 2024 Issue

From the Provincial, Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI

Dear Friend,

When I was a little boy, I was afraid of the dark. Bedtime could be a little traumatic. So when I was about four years old my mom installed a new light switch in my room that included an image of a guardian angel protecting two children. She told me that every night when I touched that angel, I would be protected and to not be afraid.

It worked. Soon I was no longer scared of the dark, and I began to sleep peacefully. As I grew older, I became braver and forgot about my guardian angel. Decades went by. Prior to my ordination at age 44, I returned home for a visit. When I walked into my old bedroom, I reached over to turn on the light and my guardian angel was still there.

I thought about that light switch in October when I was installed as the new Provincial of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the United States. Fortunately, I am blessed with many guardian angels in my life. There are the spiritual guardian angels that we have because of our faith. I consider my brother Oblates as my guardian angels as the they guide and protect me on my new Oblate journey. And over the past few months, I have realized that you too are my guardian angel.

Through your prayers and support, you help guide me and my brother Oblates along our Oblate path. You help us bring light into the darkness of people’s lives in our missions. You truly are a guardian angel to us and the people we serve.

May we continue to journey together to turn darkness into light.