Celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day of immense significance for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. This feast commemorates Mary’s conception without original sin, chosen by God to be the Mother of Jesus and a model of purity, humility, and grace.

For the Oblates, Mary is both Patroness and companion, inspiring the mission to bring Christ to the world, especially to the poor and most abandoned.

As we honour Mary, we draw inspiration from the recent letter from our Superior General, Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, OMI. His reflection on the words “Rejoice, full of grace!” calls us to renew our missionary commitment, mirroring Mary’s complete self-offering and unwavering trust in God.

This year, as the feast is celebrated on December 9th due to its traditional date coinciding with a Sunday, we are invited to reflect on the significance of Mary’s role in salvation history. Mary was not only the first and foremost disciple, but also the first missionary, who set out without haste to bring Christ to the world.

Her acceptance of God’s will shines as a beacon of hope in a world burdened by injustice, conflict, and environmental challenges. Fr. Chicho reminds us that Mary’s example challenges us to live the Gospel more authentically, deepen our dedication to serving the poor, and embrace the transformative joy of conversion.

Through Mary’s intercession we pray that our congregation and our De Mazenod Family are renewed in our missionary oblation at the service of the poor and most abandoned. 

To read the full letter from the Superior General, please click here:

Safeguarding Audit Highlights Oblates’ Commitment to Best Practices

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (Oblates) have demonstrated a strong commitment to safeguarding children and adults at risk, as highlighted in a recent audit by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL). The audit found that 99% of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS) indicators relevant to the Oblates’ ministries are either fully embedded or in place, with one indicator still under development.

ACSL CEO Dr. Ursula Stephens praised the Oblates’ leadership and investment in safeguarding resources, emphasizing their focus on both child safety and the protection of at-risk adults. The audit also showcased effective practices within Oblate ministries, including holistic education approaches in school settings that foster safe and supportive environments.

While prior recommendations have largely been addressed, the audit identified areas for further improvement, such as clarifying safeguarding governance responsibilities and enhancing training and reporting tools.

Fr. Christian Fini OMI, Australian Provincial of the Oblates, reaffirmed the congregation’s dedication to safeguarding, apologizing to survivors of abuse and pledging to implement the audit’s recommendations to minimize harm and ensure a just response to disclosures.

The full ACSL media release and audit report are available for further details.