I am glad to share the life experience of our Regional Meeting, Asia – Indian Ocean held from April 12 to 18, 2023 at Padanthalumoodu. We were all arrived on 12th April 2023 at our own Oblates' Community Centre which is newly constructed at Padanthalumoodu. It was a dream to have a centre of our own for Regional gathering. That dream became true. God has provided using Ms. Mercy Savariyaradimai as an instrument to have such a wonderful centre. We were all excited and proud to have meeting at our own family atmosphere centre. Everyone felt this atmosphere.
On 13th we had an Opening Mass in our Chapel. Our main celebrant was IVD priest Rev. Fr. Churchill. (Tamil Nadu Regional Director) Two other priests from our neighboring parish concelebrated. 
Everyone expressed their happiness to have a family priest to bless our meeting. Fr. Churchill has helped us to have Holy Mass everyday by IVD priests. During the inaugural meeting, we honored our Vice-President Ellena Brelu Brelu.
All the countries were given opportunity to lead the prayer and liturgy every day.
The following topics were covered by the following members.
- Decisions of the General Assembly – Priorities – Lafleur Causette
- Forward Planning – Sayarak Manichanseng
- Amendments – Constitutions (Book 2) Brelu Brelu Ellena
- Amendments – Constitutions (Book 2) Continuation- Brelu Brelu Ellena
- Clarifications and doubts were enlightened by Savariyaradimai Mercy
All the countries shared the apostolic projects of all the Oblates through power point presentation. The Oblates activities in the society and in the Church were very inspiring. It was good to know each Oblate and her apostolic project.
The team animators shared how the Team Meetings are conducted, how it helps the Oblates in the challenges and achievements.
The Assigned Directresses and Formators shared their experiences as Assigned Directresses and Formators, and the challenges and achievements.
Every evening we had evaluation of the day, in the foreground of the community centre. This was a very interesting session. All the Oblates took part in this session very actively. All tried to express their experiences of the day in English. This session helped us to see the improvement of each Oblate and their bond of belonging and love of the Institute.
As per our schedule we conducted our sessions. Though we didn't have translator this time, every one tried to express their thoughts, ideas and queries in English. Everyone said that the Regional leader and Council had well prepared and delivered each topic. Queries raised by the Oblates were well explained to everyone. We all participated very actively. It was the first Regional Meeting experience for some Oblates. They all expressed their happiness, thankfulness and gratefulness to the institute for providing this opportunity to attend the Regional Meeting. When we come together as Region, we also get an ample opportunity; to know each other, to increase our bond of belonging and to learn English etc. As a whole we had enriching, vibrant and sweet memorable Regional Meeting.
On the closing day we had a thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Churchill, I.V.D. On this day we thanked the God Almighty for his Omnipresence amidst us during our journey of meeting and expressed our appreciation and thankfulness to all those who helped us to render this meeting successful. May God bless all of us!
Love and peace!
Sebastiammal Lucas M.
OMMI
