The Oblate
Missionaries of Mary Immaculate

Reading one of the texts by Pope Leo XIV, I couldn't help but see a resemblance to Father Parent, who invited us daily to put Christ's words into practice in our lives.

I would like to share with you an extract from the paragraph that brings them together through their deep convictions about listening to the Word of God and its power.

Pope Leo XIV advocates a ministry of listening: listening to the Word of God, a grace :
“How important it is to listen! Jesus says, ‘My sheep listen to my voice’. And I think it is important for all of us to learn how to listen more, to enter into dialogue”, he pleaded, highlighting the importance of listening to the Word of God and listening to others. And thus “to know how to build bridges, to know how to listen without judging, not closing the doors thinking that we have all the truth and no one else can tell us anything”, he enumerated. (Excerpt from the homily at the Mass given by Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, May 11, 2025).

Let us take the time to reflect on this text, which, as Father Parent so aptly suggests through spirituality, invites us to live our attitudes of life intensely by opening wide our hearts as missionary disciples.

And give thanks for the appointment of Pope Leo XIV, known for his profound faith and compassion for all.

Louise Fleury, Volunteer of God
Drummondville

Lord, my happiness began
when I discovered your wisdom, your power and your goodness.
Your wisdom is my light, your power is my shelter.
Your goodness rhythms my affection and affectivities.

I have grasped some samples of your wisdom,
striving to please you.
I have been schooled in your commandments and counsels,
achieving the performance of a Christian, seized by your Spirit.

[…]

I feel your goodness living in me,
through the richness of the thoughts you inspire in me,
through the love you place in me,
for you and for my neighbour.
Amen.

Prayer, Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I.
From the book: Je t'accueille, page 160 (in French only)

1. The art of living

The art of living can be defined as a set of means that are directed towards a defined objective and as a set of knowledge and rules of action that help people to realize their potential, discover their personality and reach adult maturity.

Art is a discipline that enables a person to maintain control over his or her various physical, psychological and spiritual mechanisms. It is a special technique for living to the best of one's ability; it is a constant adaptation of each faculty to the varied demands of life; it is the search for adequate responses to the essential needs of the human being.

The art of living is a technique to help me build lasting friendships, where I can, without diminishing myself, welcome and accept others as they are, unconditionally.

The art of living focuses people on the present moment, on the days that remain to be lived, taking them one by one without rushing into the future. We need to re-evaluate the present in order to live it beautifully and effectively.

The art of living is a dynamic that must constantly bring me back to the present, that must make me aware of the essential needs of others, that must help me to look within to discover the true values that inhabit me, that build my confidence, that bring me closer to others without my being afraid of being broken.

Excerpt from the Collection Volontaires de Dieu, Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I.

This video talks about a spirituality that allows us to discover the best in ourselves by having positive attitudes that improve our relationships. These attitudes invite us to live the Gospel in our daily lives: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

I can testify that practicing these attitudes helps me to become a better person by allowing me to recognize my strengths so that I can put them to good use for others, and to look at my weaknesses as a springboard to go further.

And as Jacqueline Blais also explains, the spirituality of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate awakens in people's hearts the desire to respond to a special call from the Lord and to become an associate member of the Volunteers of God in order to love every day, following the example of Christ.

Thank you to our animator, Louise Fleury, a Volunteer of God from Drummondville, and our guests, Paulette Chénard, Oblate, and Jacqueline Blais, Volunteer of God.

Paulette Chénard, Oblate

Click on the image, video in french.

Belonging to the Spanish-speaking Volunteers of God brings with it great challenges that we must face not only with resilience, but also with faith, hope and the five attitudes of life that are part of our spirituality. Based on my experience with the Volunteers of God I have met in recent years, I must emphasize the effort they make every day to lead a life worthy of being called Christian:

• Moments of prayer are a safe refuge in God and during which we can, like the beloved disciple, rest our head on Jesus' breast. We can also take advantage of this time to share with Him our deepest feelings, our concerns and the requests that only He can answer so that we can be truly happy.

• The sacraments, in particular the Eucharist and Confession, become for us Volunteers of God the means we use to strengthen our Christian life. They also allow us to have a sincere encounter with Jesus and Mary, his mother, so that we can experience God's presence with commitment.

• The concern of the Holy Spirit urges us to reach out to those in greatest need. In the midst of the difficulties experienced by our Spanish-speaking countries, such as violence, poverty, injustice, corruption and persecution, we strive to collaborate with our brothers and sisters in solidarity, avoiding useless complaints and destructive criticism, and serving others in a world that is in desperate need of peace.

In conclusion, let us remind ourselves that although living as true Volunteers of God is not easy, it is not impossible. The most important thing is to remain united with God and take advantage of all the means He provides, such as this Jubilee Year. Its theme is 'Pilgrims of Hope,' and it invites us to reflect on the importance of keeping hope alive, hope in Christ.

Esther Acuña Rios
Coordinator of Volunteers of God
Spanish America

In this month of May, Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I., offers us a gift in the form of this beautiful and still relevant text, written in December 2000:

“The Blessed Virgin is in my prayers, isn't she the model for Christians, teaching me perfect availability, total self-giving, in the joy of the Magnificat. She shares her strength and courage with each of us, urging us to stand firm at the foot of the cross.

Life is beautiful, its decline a splendor, its culmination the beginning of eternal happiness.

Let all the elders of the earth come together, let them form a special choir to harmonize the world, let us all look to Jesus, our Master, who beats the beat, directs the rhythm, balances the voices, doses joy in the hearts and makes us the chosen ones.”

Through his great love for the heart of Mary, let us pray and contemplate together with the Founder this beautiful canticle of Mary, the Magnificat. (Lk. 1:47-55)

Click on the image to watch the video

The Christian must endeavor to become a sower of peace. Peace must be one of the things we seek most assiduously. Conscious of thinking, speaking and acting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the person of service moves towards a peace that is durable, because it is authenticated each day.

Peace is a gift of God, a mature fruit produced by love. The evangelist Matthew places peace at the summit of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” (Mt 5:9) By nature and through grace, Christians are children of God, but as we build peace we become more aware of our belonging to God, or our depending on him as our Father, as well as on his ability to transform each of us. The sower of peace realizes that he is in a state of evolution and transformation. Peace is truly the summit of the spiritual journey; it is the pinnacle of a pyramid whose foundation is the presence of God.

Sowers of peace lean on the rock of their being which God has chosen as a temple of his Spirit. Peace is the life of God flowing into us which is experienced as a benediction; this benediction engenders in us the faculty of being aware of God in all circumstances, and in the presence of any person or event. It is the quality of the presence of God and of an extant peace which gives a being of service the consciousness of a daily mission to be carried out. Peace is the most tangible manifestation of the active presence of God, or submission to a Supreme Being, of the heart’s being possessed by the One whom we consider a marvelous, attentive and gracious Father.

Excerpt on the book “In the Footsteps of Jesus”, pages 113-114, Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I.

The Vettithuruthu Church once a sub-church under the Changanacherry Metropolitan Church, witnessed a transformative era during 1974–1977 when Assistant Vicar Father George Alenchery was appointed as its parish priest. Recognizing the dire need for socio-economic upliftment, especially among unemployed women, he initiated a tailoring unit to provide occupational training. To lead this mission, he entrusted Ms. Mariamma Mathew, a member of the OMMI congregation, with its administration.

Ms. Mariamma Mathew embraced this responsibility with exceptional dedication and sincerity, serving as a beacon of hope and progress for the parish. Her selfless commitment and inspirational leadership profoundly influenced the community, particularly the youth, shaping their outlook and guiding their actions for generations to come.

In a region that was once educationally, economically, and socially underprivileged, Ms. Mariamma Mathew's spiritual and purpose-driven initiatives became a guiding light, offering new direction and hope. Her opinions and perspectives were held in high esteem, and her counsel was sought on regional, social, and family matters. She skilfully mediated conflicts and promoted peace and harmony, saving numerous families from discord and division. Even today, members of the older generation maintain connections with her, a living testament to her lasting impact.

One of her most notable contributions was leading efforts to establish a church in Vettithuruthu, an achievement that stands as a milestone in local history. When the Changanacherry Metropolitan Church's parish council decided to demolish the dilapidated Kavalikkara Church, the faithful, led by Rev.Fr.George Allencherry, sought permission for the demolition. Ms. Mariamma Mathew seized this opportunity to convert the ruins into a functional space. Her vision materialized when the Changanacherry Social Service Society began operating a fibre centre (weaving centre) in the repurposed building, providing livelihood opportunities for women, both young and old. Her role in this transformation underscores her pivotal place in the community’s history. Through her unwavering support and astute guidance, Ms.Mariamma Mathew nurtured the growth and well-being of the society. Her life and work serve as a shining example of leadership, compassion, and resilience.

As we honor her legacy, we pray that God grants her the strength to gracefully navigate the challenges of aging and blesses her with comfort, peace, and the joy she so richly deserves.


Ms. Mariamma Mathew OMMI
KS Antony Karimattom & Thomaskutty P.K. Puthenpurayil
Article published in metropolitan church magazine- Shepherd, in September 2024