Four Oblate Seminarians in Buffalo, NY

On September 8, 2003, the Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, 4 young men formally began their year of discernment in the Oblate Pre-Novitiate Candidacy Program here in Buffalo, New York.  They are men with diverse backgrounds who nonetheless feel drawn to the Oblates and the missionary priesthood.

Ben Roberts, born in 1976 and a convert to Catholicism from Charlotte, North Carolina, has returned to complete his 2^nd year of studies and discernment after spending the summer working with Oblates in St. Casimir parish in St. Paul, Minnesota

Webert Merilan, 34 years of age, from Port Apiment, Haiti comes to us with an engineering background in hydrology.  He spent some time in our Tijuana house of formation and is here in Buffalo to polish his English language skills while continuing his pre-novitiate discernment.

Leo Murillo, a 29 year old from Los Angeles, California has a background in psychology and worked as a certified Social Worker in his home town.  He participated in one of our “come and see” weekends last year and is enthusiastic about this year of philosophical / theological studies and spiritual reflection as he is introduced to the Oblate way of life.

Jean Clay Emile, also 29 years of age, comes to us from Jeremie, (Anse d’Hainault), Haiti.  He has a background in law and, in fact, has a law degree.  Jean Clay comes to us by way of the Haitian community in Brooklyn, NY.  Philosophy and Religious Studies courses will constitute his academic program during this year of Oblate discernment.

The formal reception ceremony took place in the parish daily Mass Chapel during a Community Vespers Service.  Fr. George Kirwin, OMI, the Director of the Pre-Novitiate Program, spoke of Mary’s central role in God’s plan of salvation and how our Oblation inserts us into the mystery of divine-human cooperation of which Mary is the exemplar.

Oblates from both of our Oblate foundations in Buffalo were in attendance to renew their own commitments on this traditional Vow Day and to welcome these newest aspirants to our religious community.  Following the service, a “gaudeamus” and festive dinner were enjoyed in community.

Article and photos courtesy of Fr. Gene Tremblay, OMI