The Oblate
Missionaries of Mary Immaculate

Here’s a truly remarkable testimony highlighting the exceptional courage and solidarity of the Oblate companions.
Whether rain or shine, their unwavering commitment shines through, especially in the challenging and perilous circumstances in Haiti.
Following the celebration of their commitments, there’s no better way to express their joy than by dancing. And why not?

What a vibrant display of energy and joy, with a lively dance and song performed by the companions of La Tremblay!

CLIC VIDEO

From right to left: Évena Délima, Anne-Marie Joseph*, Maxiana Guerrier, Virginie Dejoie, Philomise Pauliné*, Andrélise Estima*, Juliette Sulface

Despite the challenges they face, it’s truly heartwarming to see them embrace this moment of celebration and maintain their joy for life.

Violaine Couture

If we look around us, we see how much the world needs blessings and peace. In these uncertain times, we often think of our families and loved ones.
Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I., felt a deep need ask for grace for those we love, and with faith he wrote this prayer.
Let’s pray together.

Lord, not only do I want to give you thanks,
but I'd like to gather at your feet
all those you have entrusted to me
all over the world.

I'd like everyone to,
with their way of acting and thinking,
through their culture, according to the rhythm of their language,
praise you, bow down before you,
stand in your presence
and sing to you, with the ardour of a purified heart, the joys
to fulfill your wishes,
to recognize your generosity and profligacy
and the brilliance of your splendor.

Lord, I want to acclaim your glory,
spread your goodness, exult in gladness
at the thought of your mercy,
your wisdom, your tenderness.

I prostrate myself at your feet
to receive your blessing
that divinizes all those it reaches.
Amen

Prayer, Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I.
From the book: Je t'accueille, page 151

On September 8, the Catholic Church celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ.

Today, I say to myself: how can we not stop to celebrate this young woman filled with grace, since through her yes, a Savior has been born to us, Jesus Christ Himself, the Lord.

We often talk about Mary, but what can we say about her mother Anne when her daughter Mary was born? I remain convinced that she was filled with the Holy Spirit during childbirth. The beauty, gentleness and delicacy of little Mary were undoubtedly a source of endless wonder to Anne, a source of fascination and thanksgiving to God.

Oh Mary! the richness of your being is an icon of contemplation.

When meditating on the life of Mary, it's not surprising to see the colors that have become imbued in the spirituality of the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate.

Here is an excerpt from the interesting text of the "Nativity of the Virgin Mary" found on the Vatican website.

“The Church looks on her [Mary] as the Mother of God, but even more so as the disciple who can best offer us an example and model of the Christian life. In her faith, in her obedience to her Son, in the way she made herself a neighbor toward her cousin Elizabeth and to the couple in Cana on their wedding day, Mary is the woman to imitate especially in the trust shown during the darkest moments in the life of Jesus, her Son. Here, and in many other moments, she explains why the people of God know they can find their refuge and comfort, help and protection in her.”

If you wish to read the full text, here is the link:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/liturgical-holidays/feast-of-the-nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-.html

We would like to tell you about Thania Muco Harusha, originally from Burundi, a community animator for immigrants in Victoriaville.

On August 5, 2024, the Associate group: Volunteers of God from Victoriaville had to choose a new animator for their team. At their meeting in Ireland, not far from Black Lake, they elected Thania Muco Harusha.

Thania readily agreed to take on the role of group leader, as she reflects so well being a person of service. She will take on the tasks of coordinating and leading the team, with the help of each member.

Your ‘yes’ is like Mary's, in humility, faith and the Magnificat. You can count on each member of your team for their faithful support, so that together you can be a sign in the heart of the world.

Thank you, Thania!

Violaine Couture

Prayer for the beginning of the school year.
While browsing the Web, I discovered this site which offered this beautiful prayer for the start of the school year.
How about adopting it? Young people and teachers alike need support.
Bravo and thank you, St-Rémi school, for this beautiful text.

God, our Father,

We thank you for our beautiful school and for your presence among us.

By your grace, may Saint Rémi Catholic School be a community where Love, Respect, Collaboration and Commitment reign. Teach us to perceive the face of Jesus in each person we meet. Give us a look of tenderness and mercy to accept each being.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we can all be a living reflection of your Light and Love. Allow us to appreciate the uniqueness of each student, parent and school staff member.

Bless our school and all who enter it. May teachers overflow with enthusiasm, patience, love and wisdom to inspire each student to reach their full potential and develop their talents. That students are committed to their learning and to the French-speaking world and Catholicity. May they flourish and experience academic, cultural and spiritual success.

We pray to you with confidence in the name of your beloved son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint-Rémi pray for us.

https://saint-remi.ecolecatholique.ca/fr/Catholicit_15/Priere-De-Lecole-Saintremi_572

Pope Francis spoke to Secular Institutes in 2014 and said:
«Never lose the momentum of walking the streets of the world, aware that walking, even with an uncertain step or limping, is always better than standing still, locked within your questions or insecurities.»

I am incredibly thankful for the past twenty years that I have spent as a member of the Oblates. I joined in 2004. It has been a time of growth, learning, and deepening my relationship with God. Being part of this community has provided me with a supportive environment where I can live out my faith in a unique way, while also being able to fully participate in the world around me. My life would have been significantly different had I not answered Gods call to consecrate myself to Him in the Oblates.

I am grateful for the friendships I have made, the spiritual guidance I have received, and the opportunities for service that have come my way. Being a member of a Secular Institute has allowed me to integrate my spiritual life with my everyday life, and to strive for holiness in the midst of my daily responsibilities and commitments.

In the rhythm of the seasons, I see the cycle of life and death, reminding me of the eternal nature of God's presence. My only sibling, David, died in February at the age of 63. He was handicapped and although he lived in Long Term Care for the past 23 years I was very involved in his care. He was developmentally disabled but we still had a close relationship and I miss him every day. Grief is a heavy burden to bare and it permeates every aspect of my life right now. This loss is one of the most difficult experiences I have had. My grief is expressed in my judgements every day and I need to be carefully aware of this. All I can do for him now is pray for him although I expect he had an express pass to the loving arms of Jesus.

Living a consecrated life often involves a commitment to service, whether through formal ministry, volunteer work, or simply living out one's values in ordinary interactions. The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others can be deeply rewarding. I worked for over 40 years as a Registered Nurse and retirement left me feeling a bit lost. Then David’s needs escalated as his health deteriorated and I was able to be with him. I also volunteered in Hospice Palliative Care in Perth, Kanata and Ottawa for seven years ending shortly after the Covid-19 Pandemic began. Now I am part of a Palliative Care Team at Royal Ottawa Place where my brother had lived. I was welcomed by the Team which is just getting started to establish policies and training for the staff.

As an Oblate I try to live in simplicity, which leads to a more focused and intentional way of living. By prioritizing spiritual values over material pursuits, I find greater clarity and peace in my daily life.

In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope', 2024 is designated a by Pope Francis as a Year of Prayer. Focusing on the Our Father, we are provided with a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer.

The Lord's Prayer is a central prayer in Christianity, and dedicating a year to deepening our understanding and connection to this prayer can help strengthen my faith and relationship with God. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) used Dr. Josephine Lombardi’s expertise to guide our reflection and interpretation of The Our Father presented over four Webinars in the month of April, 2024. As a team we each listened to the Webinars individually and then met twice via Zoom to discuss this. It was an enriching presentation for our team.

I rely on ‘Fresh starts and new beginnings’ as it says in our Constitutions. I depend on God's grace to enable me to remain faithful and steadfast in my effort to live the Spirituality of OMMI.

Judi Mallett
Ottawa, July 2024