The Oblate
Missionaries of Mary Immaculate

At last, the arrival of a long-awaited spring that will relegate to the past the disruptive events and strong emotional experiences of the last months. For some, this time will remain a painful memory which slowed down their momentum in life.

Will the announcement of a beautiful spring be strong enough to erase the bad times, one wonders?

Could we not take this season as a good time for therapy, a calling out of ourselves? Isn't spring in itself a time of renewal? Doesn't Mother Nature clothe herself in greenery, with buds bursting with life, awakening our beautiful gardens to growth, surrounding us with beautiful colors bringing feelings of beauty, of joy and love? Why not let ourselves be healed by creation?

The renewal of nature invites us to a transformation. Let us allow the Holy Spirit do his work in us throughout the coming months of this year.

Louise F, Volunteer of God
March 20

At the end of a beautiful day last September, while sitting in front of my window, I see two young women with backpacks pass by. They are probably heading for the campsite 5 minutes from my home. Feeling a sudden urge, I bounce to the door to greet them. A third person immediately joins them. While respecting distancing, we introduce each other – a chance meeting that will have an interesting outcome. Catherine, the eldest of the trio is an agricultural engineer, Marie-Sophie, a nurse of Haitian origin and the youngest, Virginie, a medical student. They got to know each other along the way; they were hiking with the same objective: to experience in the Appalachian Trails in Gaspésie! Their project for the next day was to climb the mountain behind my house where they would spend the night at a shelter.

I spontaneously invite them to have breakfast with me next morning; pancakes on the menu! Surprised, they tell me that they will leave early, around 7:00 a.m. and don't want to wake me. Laughing, I tell them I'm up at 5:55 a.m. Why 5:55 a.m., they wonder? My answer is simple: "I'll explain this to you at breakfast tomorrow morning." This ten minute encounter, called, “living in the present moment,” will have an impact on each of us. Our founder, Father Parent, often told us to be attentive and faithful to the Holy Spirit in the present moment. "The present moment," he says, "is a door to eternity which opens us to a dimension of God, like welcoming our bread for the day"!

Next morning, having prayed and had my breakfast, everything is ready to welcome my guests at 7:30. Seated in the “summer kitchen”, they start their breakfast while I make the pancakes in the “main kitchen” where they come to help themselves. They invite me to join them; they question me about my personal life. It is now the time to answer their question about why I get up early. This is an opportunity to talk about the spirituality of the 555s and my Oblate commitment. They learn that lay people can live consecrated in the midst of the world. What a revelation for them! As they are about to leave, they expressed their appreciation: “Thank you for welcoming us for breakfast and for sharing beautiful thoughts with us; I have lived a moment of grace; your sincere love of humanity inspires me to become a better person.” Then came the moment to take off our masks for a souvenir photo and to express final thanks before they head for the rue de la montagne (Mountain Street).

Throughout their journey in Gaspésie, the three hikers give me news. One, on her return to her part of the country, wrote me a long touching letter of gratitude for my spontaneous welcome. At Christmas her greeting card expressed emotion and sincerity: “Your kindness, your generosity and your human warmth continue to touch me and I have very happy memories of my time at the Anse-Pleureuse (Weeping Cove). May you to continue to witness according to your faith and beliefs. ” Another said: “I am filled with gratitude that our paths have crossed. You sparked profound reflection within me. Your prayers have carried me far and made my steps and my heart light. May you to continue to make great encounters and to illuminate the path of those you meet. ”

These are the fruits of fidelity to the present moment when I answered an interior call to “go forth to the peripheries” near my very home. Isn't it our vocation to be attentive to small gestures of love: to reach out to people hungry to hear resonate within them words of hope in their life!

Elise B.
February 2021

Abstaining from criticizing is certainly not an easy path to follow. Everything in life can become an opportunity for a downfall in this area and, especially in this time of pandemic, criticism often rises to the surface, even spontaneously, when faced with such and such a situation or with particular people. “They aren’t wearing a mask; they aren’t keeping social distancing; the vaccines aren't being delivered because of Mr. So-and-So” and what all else? On a strictly human level, abstaining from criticism then seems hard to practice, if not impossible.

At the same time, it is not said that spiritually this is not feasible. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of the Most High, he answered her question by saying: "But to God, nothing is impossible" (Lk 1, 37).

I understand then that it is to the extent that I elevate myself spiritually, when my relationship to God is both worked on and received as a constant gift, that I will succeed in refraining from criticism instead of feeding off of it. If my relationship with God has not been central throughout my day, criticism takes over. And that I see clearly when doing my Review of the Day where I examine my day in the light of the Spirit.

How can I focus more on God during my day? By spontaneous praise and blessing. Praise is the fuel that drives the engine of my relationship with God; blessing is the fuel that drives the engine of my relationship with others. Am I tired from an on-going situation? By praising God and thanking Him despite this negative situation, I find inner peace. The Magnificat is, among others, my favorite and most effective prayer of praise for restoring peace. Am I tired of someone getting on my nerves? As I bless this person in the name of Jesus, I find peace in thinking of them. For them, I repeat the blessing of the cohanim (priests of the tribe of Levi) Numbers 6, 24-26: “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you! May the Lord turn his face to you, and bring you peace! "

Thank you, Lord, for praise and blessing which restore peace in negative situations.

Violaine C.
2021

How does my prayer life nourish my audacity to talk about Him
and especially live with Him on a daily basis?

As an Oblate for the past 65 years, prayer has been an important time in my life. Striving to live the second five continues to be a challenge for me.

I live in an environment where the practice of religion has become almost nonexistent. At times various religious people such as priest and religious are ridiculed. Reacting to the issues of this nature will only bring more negativism and the rejection my beliefs.

I react by keeping my comments to myself and prefer to make a statement by my silence which says, in a way, that I do not agree and, thus, I avoid feeding into it which would prolong the criticism. When I see a possible negative reaction to a subject, I start praying many Hail Mary to myself, asking the Blessed Mother to come and bring peace and a more positive understanding of life.


Often, I silently recite the prayer of St. Francis:
“Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me bring your love,
Where there is injury your pardon Lord,
And where there’s doubt true faith in you.

I have started wearing the miraculous medal (given to me when I entered the Oblates) hoping it will help me react according to that prayer and the Blessed Mother to intercede for me in whatever way the Lord wishes to bring about some conversion around me.

Over the years I feel that prayers have made a difference and I see more respect of what I stand for. I continue to struggle with the negativism in my surrounding but I am certain that the second five, living the present moment, and really leaving up to the Lord do bring about a change of hearts. I may never see it but it is up to the Lord to take my humble prayer and change hearts in His own way.

It comes down to starting with prayer to curb negativism. Daily prayer will assist me in being faithful in this apostolic effort and to remember to persevere in my trust in the Lord and in his Will. I need to abandon myself to what is asked of me by the Lord, as difficult as it may be at times.

Claudette C.
2021

It is with regret that we learned of the death of Jacqueline Carignan, Volunteer of God of Drummondville.

   

Jacqueline had been part of our associate group for over 10 years. In addition to being a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother, she was very involved in her community.

She practiced the attitudes of the Volunteers, especially “being of service.” She made it her mission.

Five years ago, at the request of several people who were experiencing solitude, Jacqueline, always helpful and attentive, set up a group called "Le petit Bonheur" (Simple Happiness) which was aptly named because it brought people together - women from the region who supported each other through various activities.

She received the Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec medal for her involvement in her community.

We are very grateful for Jacqueline as she campaigned with faith and ardor as president and active member of AFÉAS (Women's Association for Education and Social Action), the group of the Immaculate Conception.

Our prayer is with you, Jacqueline. We thank you for having come into our lives as a witness to the great concern for those most in need.

Jacqueline B., leader of the Volunteers Group

Reflection on the message of Pope Francis for the year dedicated to Saint Joseph.

Pope Francis has decreed a special year (from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021) to marking the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

Five facets from which Pope Francis presents Saint Joseph:
1. A father beloved, tender and obedient
2. A father who welcomes the will of God and the call of neighbor
3. A father, courageous and creative, an example of love for the Church and the poor
4. A father who teaches the value, dignity and joy of work
5. A father discreetly present in the shadows for love of Mary and Jesus

I reflected on the second facet: Joseph, a father who welcomes the will of God and the call of neighbor. This facet speaks to me more precisely because it is part of the spirituality of the Institute to which I belong (The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate), a spirituality that I have lived daily for 60 years: Total availability to the will of God and an unconditional and universal welcoming of others.

This facet of Saint Joseph challenges me. He accepts God's plan, he trusts without really knowing where it will lead him. I too, following the example of Saint Joseph, I try to discern what God wants to tell me on a daily basis.

Currently, we are living with Covid-19 on a global scale. I think the Lord asks me to be more attentive to people who need help and encouragement in the face of this scourge. I reach out them by phone and sometimes the conversation goes on longer than expected. Taking the time to listen and to read between the lines can bring comfort and make a difference. They feel loved for who they really are. I strive to bring them further down their own path.

This is what humble Joseph teaches me in his way of collaborating with all his being with the Will of God.

Réjeanne A.
Drummondville

Pictures: FleuryLou

Only for today, I will try to live through this day and not tackle all my problems at once.

Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance, I will be courteous in my behaviour; I will not criticize anyone. I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

I’ll be glad, only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to good reading remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

Only for today, I will do one good deed and won’t tell anyone about it.

Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

Only for today, I will make a plan for myself I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it, and I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances that the Good Providence of God cares for me as if no one else existed in this world.

Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness.

Indeed for twelve hours, I can certainly do good. It won’t cause me consternation. As if I were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

H.H. Jean XXIII

Picture: FleuryLou

Even after many years of life in the Institute, we must still make an effort to adopt the mentality of Christ. One point that I try to improve on, on a daily basis, is the absence of destructive criticism.

First of all, I nourish myself spiritually every day from the Word of God, I look at Jesus and I try to imitate him by respecting others in their differences, by seeking to discover the qualities and the good deeds of others, especially of those I would be tempted to criticize. In a conversation that tends to turn towards criticism, I try to change the subject, or if that's not easily done, I remain silent as a show of disagreement.

As we learned from Father Parent, criticism is venom that destroys peace, makes smiles disappear and diminishes joy. With the help of the Holy Spirit and of Mary, I seek to become a being of mercy and to open my heart to all people, even if it is not easy.

A text by Socrates invites us to pass what we want to say through three filters before speaking: Is what I am about to say concerning someone the truth? Is it appropriate to say? Is it helpful to say? I believe that this advice is wise and I try to put it into practice as much as possible.


Bibiane St-H.

At 38, the choice of celibacy was obvious. But, during an especially busy time, the question of meaning pursued me. Then, off work for a time, a request to lend a hand put me in touch with the “Oblates.”

The spirit of service was not new to me. But in responding to this request to serve, I discovered the gratuitous, unselfish, attainable love that I was looking for. I got to know the OMMI and learned to know their Institute. I discovered the meaning of my life in the call to consecration where I found peace and joy. (Choosing apostolic or contemplative religious life was never an option for me.)
Françoise L.

Recently, an article from Aleteia spoke about the beginnings of the Miraculous Medal expressed as follows: “On Saturday November 27, 1830, the Immaculate Virgin appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré, Daughter of Charity. She entrusted her with the mission of striking a medal the model of which she would reveal to her. All those who wear it with confidence and recite this prayer with piety: "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you" will enjoy special protection from the Mother of God and will receive great graces. "

In 1832, during the cholera epidemic which spread in Europe “…many miraculous medals were distributed… the graces were immediately received and there were several cases of unexplained cures, but also miraculous protection for people in direct contact with the sick, as well as spectacular conversions. "

As we are also living in a time of epidemic, why not call on Mary Immaculate help our communities? Isn't Mary the patroness of all Oblates? The inspiration came to me; I spoke about it to the person in charge of the liturgy and to the priest, who celebrates mass at the Residence where I live now… This idea delighted them and, on September 20, during mass, nearly 200 medals were blessed and distributed with an explanatory bookmark. It has now become Mary's project…

A few companions have asked me for the bookmark model to follow suit in their respective communities. I responded with joy! We live in a time where many people have let their faith drift off to sleep and for many of us, who are limited in our ability to reach out, spreading this devotion is something we can do.

If Mary so wishes a small medal can do a lot. “More than ever, today, it is good to remember the effectiveness of the miraculous medal, when it is worn or given with deep faith, in a spirit of surrender and trust in love and absolute benevolence from our Heavenly Mother.”

As well, perhaps vocations could arise from such random journeying of Mother Mary. May she inspire each of us.

Marie-Thérèse G.