Becoming a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate

The Call
Jesus never ceases to call people to follow him and proclaim the Gospel. Some are drawn to answer this call as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The initial signs of this call is ordinarily found among practicing single Catholic young men, 18- 33 years of age, who have attained an appropriate level of social and psychological maturity, of good physical health, and who are able to complete a college-level education.

The Application Process
Those interested in joining the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate undergo a thorough process of application and evaluation. The evaluation process includes academic, medical, social and psychological aspects of the applicant. The final decision is made by the Admissions Committee. If accepted, the qualified applicant is invited to start his formation program.

Formation
The goal of the Oblate formation is to help a young man to become an apostolic man, capable of living the Oblate charism. Formation is a process which aims at the integral growth of a person and lasts a lifetime. It enables him to accept himself as he is and to develop into the person he is called to be. Formation involves him in an ever renewed conversion to the Gospel and a readiness to learn and to change in response to new demands.

Pre-Novitiate
The purpose of initial formation is to develop gradually those whom Jesus calls to total discipleship in the Congregation, until they are mature religious, capable of carrying on the Oblate mission. This requires an assimilation in faith of all the dimensions of our vocation, especially of Gospel poverty, celibate love and availability for missionary service. The pre-novitiate program includes college-level studies.

Novitiate
The novitiate is the candidate's time of initiation into Oblate religious life and leads to his public commitment in the Congregation. The Provincial admits candidates to the novitiate. Under the guidance of the Novice Master, the novice comes to grasp the meaning of religious consecration. He can thus discern the Lord's call and, in prayer, make himself ready to respond.

The novice, led by the Spirit living within him, develops his personal relationship with Jesus and gradually enters into the mystery of Salvation through liturgy and prayer. He becomes accustomed to listen to the Lord in Scripture, to meet him in the Eucharist and to recognize him in other persons and in events. He comes also to contemplate God at work in the life and mission of the Founder, as well as in the Congregation's history and traditions. Opportunities for pastoral experience in an Oblate setting help him realize the demands of a missionary vocation and the unity of apostolic religious life.

Novitiate formation ends with a free and faith-filled commitment in the Oblate Congregation. The novice, having experienced the Father's love in Jesus, dedicates his life to making that love visible. He entrusts his fidelity to the one whose cross he shares, whose promises are his hope.

Scholasticate
The years in the scholasticate give the required training and education to those who prepare for the priesthood. Their studies are based on a solid formation in philosophy and theology. They will cultivate those skills needed for an effective ministry of the Word.

Oblate Brother
During the years after novitiate, the Brother grows in appreciation of his special vocation. With this in mind, professional training prepares him for his specific role. His doctrinal and pastoral education is adapted to his work and ministry. Thus, in his own community as well as outside it, the Brother can give witness of solid faith and of service that is competent and selfless.

For more information, email: omi290@comcast.net