The Oblate
Missionaries of Mary Immaculate

Hello everyone,

I’m pleased to send you the YOUTUBE link to our latest promotional video announcing and the Volunteers of God. Please distribute it widely in your respective communities.

We were delighted to welcome our Volunteer friends from La Tuque, Lise, Nicole and Jacques, who gave us touching testimonials on the graces they have received since joining the movement.

We also featured Father Parent and his must-read book on the 5 attitudes of life, In the Footsteps of Jesus.

I invite you to listen to this 30 minutes of pure joy and to share it with others as a gift.

May the Lord bless you all!

Enjoy! Click:

I humbly share my understanding and some experiences of the five points.

When I came to the Institute in 1959, it was not what attracted me but rather the possibility of consecration in secularity. The knowledge and deepening of the five points came to me through living with the companions and in the studies and research we did together. Father Parent said to me: you came to the Institute to acquire holiness. So here is how I plan to achieve it.

1. I am always in the thought of God and his love guides me in the living of the present moment. From my part, to seek Him, to love Him, to be happy with what He makes me live and to find Him in others...

2. When I am faced with people who “neglect” others by their words, I often feel tempted to oppose them in words BUT come also to me some thoughts - no doubt from the Spirit - such as “what can it bring? what good can it do if you speak, it can hurt the other person, so shut up or say something positive”. That’s the second point!

3. As I get old (like everyone else!) I often have physical discomfort and I would have the movement to complain so I offer these pains for the Pope who, despite his sickly state, continues his ministry...

4. Serving is in my nature, since I was a child. In the Institute I have always accepted the “obediences” that were offered to me and, spontaneously, even today, I offer myself whenever a need arises.

5. Why should I not be a source of peace with all these attitudes? But above all I convey the peace of Jesus through my smile that I sow to all those whom I meet on my way. In the morning, and often during the day, I say to Jesus and Mary: through my smile, join this person in his/her current need.

The Lord works wonders for us, Holy is his name.

Cécile L.

The present moment is given to us
  to create marvels.

A perfect today
  influences an unknown tomorrow
  and repairs yesterday’s deficiencies.

If a person wants to repair the past,
  they must put perfection
  into the present moment.

Each day they must seek cheerfulness
  with the same energy as a bee,
  who flies enormous distances
  to collect the pollen
  that it transforms into delicious honey.

How many persons rush around all their lives,
  struggling, losing sleep,
  irritating their nervous system,
  wanting to reach the heights
  be it of riches, sexual pleasure,
  or the intoxication of power,
  without ever getting there,
  dying without ever having been happy.

To forget the present moment
  in order to deplore the past
  is a waste of time;
  it is risking to destroy oneself
  by piling up regrets and
  useless or harmful sentiments of guilt.

To forget the present moment
  in order to be concerned
  only with the future
  is and illusion;
  it is a dream;
  it is utopia.

To by happy
  we must be attentive to all
  whom our lives touch in a day.
  We must make an effort
  to detect the positive in them
  whether it be an attitude, a judgement
  or an agreeable quality.

Each time that we speak
  of someone we know,
  we must have enough
  lucidity, intelligence,
  and imagination to be able
  to say something agreeable
  about them.

Other are put on my route
  like flowers on the route of the bee:
  we approach them only to discover
  the best that is in them.

Excerpt on the book “The Present Moment”, pages 19-20, Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I.

Inspired by the writings of Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I., we’re pleased to offer a special space where you can take time to reflect and meditate on spiritually enriching texts.

To access this new section:

• Menu: Founder
• Submenu: Texts from the Works of Father Louis-Marie Parent

OR

Enjoy your reading of the first text, clic : "Utopia or Marvel?"

Excerpt from the book "The Present Moment",pages 19-20, Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I.

God is Love.

He calls us to be “love.” Our way of loving is deeply rooted in Him. Jesus came to earth to show us the true nature of love, and we can see God as the presence that dwells, lives, and loves within each of us.

God is a vibrant reality, near to us, one we may not always recognize, but whose action we cannot stop.

He holds a special tenderness for those who believe in Him and serve Him with acts of kindness.

In creating humanity in His own image, God endowed us with countless, boundless qualities. He placed within us an inner compass to guide our actions, the power to judge and choose, and the ability to leave our own mark on creation.

Could it be that we overlook the depth and richness within our own being?

These treasures include our unique qualities, gifts, talents, energy, vitality, and the capacity to love, understand, trust, and consider others. They empower us to take on responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the world around us.

God designed us not only to bring joy to Himself but also to others, so that through each person’s presence, we might glimpse His Presence.

Why not be like the little birds who greet each dawn with song outside their nests?

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

Read:
Who is God to me? (2)

For me, who is God ? (3)

For more than 20 years, I worked as a nursing assistant in psychiatry. I saw the distress, the torments, the troubles caused by mental illness.

It took me a lot of listening to understand the suffering of the patients. Only then could I truly turn my attention to these suffering human beings with love and compassion. Judgment quickly disappeared when I saw the extent of the devastation that mental illness can wreak in their lives.

On the other hand, I perceived that good listening habits could do wonders because it brings relief from the negative thoughts that poison their existence.

We all need to be listened to for our mental balance, to strengthen our self-esteem; it is essential in order to function well in society.

I can say, as a caregiver, that selfless listening often replaces medication because it relieves the heart and soul and, thus, brings peace. Hence the importance of developing listening skills with anyone who confides in us freely; this attitude can help with fulfillment and the search for happiness.

Good listening is a God-blessed “heart to heart” that engenders deep joy.

France Robitaille, Volunteer of God from Canada Retired nurse
Excerpt from Sparks of Life magazine, August-November 2023, vol. 18, no. 2

On the occasion of the “Feast of the Dead” on November 2nd, let us take a few minutes to express our gratitude and recognition to those who have passed away and whom we have known, loved and admired in the Institute of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate.

Let's seize this moment, since these people remain so close to us spiritually, and let's remember what they were for us, in their daily lives, through their mission, where they were at the heart of the world. Let's be bold, let's dare to broaden our horizons and let's think of all those who, throughout this world, have left us for a better world.

Let us not forget the beautiful gift of our faith, which reminds us that we can join them in prayer by asking them to intercede for us. What a wonderful spiritual exchange that unites us in the communion of saints!

Taking this day in their memory is a wonderful way of keeping them alive in our hearts by remembering the beautiful spiritual heritage that they have bequeathed to us. It is a true testimony of faith in the resurrection of Christ and his great mercy.

Departure is not an end, but a passage towards true life, eternal life.

Louise Fleury,
Volunteer of God Drummondville

I've come to tell you about my new home for the past six years. It's my main place to live the mysticism to which the Lord called me 63 years ago. I'm involved in various activities in a positive way. My memory is good, and I greet and thank the residents and staff by name. This makes a difference because they feel recognized as a person. If someone needs a service, I'm happy to provide it whenever I can.

In the dining room, I make positive comments about the quality of the food. I find people's talents and qualities and tell them about them. Often, it's the first time they've been recognized for their qualities.

I noticed that two of my neighbours said their rosary every day. I suggested that they do it together, and even a few other people have joined us.

We pray for the intentions of the residents and staff which creates a bond between us. We're lucky to have Mass five days a week. People see me going regularly, and it encourages them to do so as well.

Finally, listening and enjoying life are other ways of sowing peace and God's love around me.

I've also been involved with the Communauté des Béatitudes for over 30 years. This is a group of people who welcome people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

The second five of our mystical life, nourished by times of prayer, is really what the Lord has called and prepared me for, and I'm happy about it. The Lord has done wonders for me: Holy is His name. Thank you, Triune God!

Danielle Maréchal
North America East