Brothers

 in Mission

 by Patrick M. McGee, OMI

12/1/02

             The 1998 General Chapter called for “a probing theological reflection” on the vocation of our Oblate Brothers, to be carried out by the whole Congregation prior to the next Chapter (cf. Evangelizing the Poor at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, nos. 24-26).

             The General Administration appointed an Ad hoc committee, which developed a questionnaire and surveyed all Brothers in the Congregation in November 2001.  About a 40% response to the questionnaire was received, and subsequently synthesized in preparation for a meeting of a Task Force, appointed by the General Administration.  This Task Force met in Rome from October 24 – 30, 2002, and was composed of one Brother from each region and the General House community, a priest “listener”, and three members of the General Administration.

             Beginning with the results of the questionnaire, we began our own process of reflection.  Fr. General encouraged us, in his opening homily, to reflect seriously on the special vocation of the Brother and his charism.  Fr. Yves Beaudoin presented a historical overview of the Brothers in the Congregation, and Fr. Alexandre Taché synthesized the canonical state of the question.

             As a result of our days together and our reflection and discussion, we produced a small reflection paper “Brothers in Mission”.  To further the reflection process, Fr. General is going to present this paper to the whole Congregation, through the local communities, and invite all Oblates to share in the conversation.  We hope that all local communities will join us, and enrich this important reflection.

 Participants:  

Jose ADUANA, OMI

Raymond CARRIERE, OMI

Sean COLEMAN, OMI

Bertrand EVELIN, OMI

Edgar FRANCKEN, OMI

Lucien LADIAMENE, OMI

Patrick McGEE, OMI

Loudeger MAZILE, OMI

Baudouin MUBESALA, OMI

Rabindra RAJAPAKSE,OMI

Clyde RAUSCH, OMI