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THE OBLATE NOVITIATE

The Novitiate for the United States Province

Godfrey, Illinois

Who are we?

We are young Catholic men who seek to follow Jesus Christ by following the charism of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). We feel that we are called to live in community as priests and brothers, in accordance to the teachings of the Oblates and St. Eugene de Mazenod, the founder. Our novitiate lasts for one year, beginning on August 17,  and concluding on August 1, the birthday of our Founder,  with our profession of first vows. These vows are taken for 1 year until each of us feels ready to take perpetual (final) vows. We come from many places, not only the United States and Canada, but from other countries as well.

What is it that Novices do?

For the most part. we are here to discern our call from God. This requires a lot of prayer, quiet, interior work, and study. The Novitiate staff assists us by helping us to understand the Oblate way of life. This is done by learning about the life of St. Eugene de Mazenod, attending retreats,  seminars that deal with contemporary Church issues, Social Justice advocacy (part of the Oblate charism: " To Preach the Good news to the Poor and the most abandoned."), community building and perhaps most important of all, by sharing a common liturgical prayer life (Eucharist, morning and evening prayer). All of these and more help us to discern our call as religious.

What do we look like?  Go to our picture page.