Perpetual Vow Preparation

 for Young Oblates

From July 17-29, English-speaking Oblate seminarians from the Canada-United States Region gathered at the Oblates’ Holy Angels Residence in Buffalo, NY, for an extended workshop on the vows and the spirituality of the Oblates.

This “Perpetual Vow Preparation Program” takes place periodically to help young Oblates preparing to make their final vows during the coming 2 years.  This year, it was organized by Fr. Jim Brobst, OMI, the outgoing superior of the Oblate House of Theology in Chicago. 

Sharing their own knowledge and love of Oblate life were the program presenters: Oblate Fathers Frank Demers, Ron Young and Harry Winter. 

The participating young Oblates illustrated the international character of the new Oblate presence in North America.  The two scholastics from St. Charles Scholasticate in Ottawa were born in Vietnam (Quang Van) and Poland (Peter Nowak).  The four scholastics from Oblate House of Theology in Chicago were born in the USA (Jim Chambers, Joe Dowling, and Juan Ayala) and in Mexico (Fernando Velázquez).  The three from Sexton House of Studies in San Antonio, TX, were born in Haiti (Quilin Bouzi) and Mexico (Porfirio García and Francisco Gómez). 

Following the vow preparation program, the Oblates traveled to Willimantic, CT, to begin a seven-day “directed retreat” at the Immaculata Oblate Retreat Center.  The retreat is being directed by members of the retreat house staff. 

At the end of the retreat, all the remaining scholastics in the United States will join the retreatants for discussions on the changing cultural identity of the U.S. Province.  This periodic meeting of scholastics this will be facilitated by Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI.  Also present will be Provincial, Fr. Louie Lougen and Councilors Frs. Dick Sudlik and Bill Morrell.  Oblate formators Frs. Mark Dean and Tom Horan will likewise be in attendance.  The scholastic will renew their vows on Thursday, August 11^th.

On August 13^th, all of these Oblates will attend the ordination to the priesthood of their fellow seminarian, Karl Davis, OMI, in Brooklyn, New York.

Click on thumbnail photo to enlarge.

Information and photos courtesy of Fr. Eugene Tremblay, OMI