OMI Australia

04/09/2026

🌱 The new edition of DMF Chat is here!

As spring begins and we enter the Season of Creation, we’re reflecting on prayer, renewal and noticing where God is already at work.

Inside: 200 years of the Constitutions & Rules, the Nativity of Mary, Season of Creation, DMF Gathering, WYD 2027, MAMI and news from across the De Mazenod Family.

“One must never want to do more than God permits.”
~ St Eugene de Mazenod

📖 Read it below 👇

De Mazenod Family Chat Vol. 11 🙏 - https://mailchi.mp/a09eb47f38e4/de-mazenod-family-chat-vol-17460741

02/09/2026

A wonderful occasion to see three of our brothers at St Mary's Scholasticate renew their vows for another year! Congratulations to Martin, Ernest and Christian.

01/09/2026

Last month, staff from across the De Mazenod Family gathered for the 2026 DMFEN Staff Conference, hosted by Mazenod College Vic at the Metropole Conference Centre in Brunswick St - right in the heart of Melbourne's rich Catholic and Aboriginal heritage, near St Patrick's Cathedral, the Mary MacKillop Chapel, and the Fitzroy Aboriginal Heritage Walking Trail.

Keynotes from Fr Michael Twigg, Fr Harry Dyer and Fr Joe Antony explored St Eugene's charism, the history of the Oblates in Australia, and the issues St Eugene might be addressing today.

Staff also shared their own programmes - retreat models, wellbeing strategies, community-building initiatives - discovering just how much shared culture exists across our colleges, even where campuses look very different day to day.

At the heart of it all: a shared commitment to service and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
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Thank you to Dr Paul Shannon and the Mazenod College team for hosting, and to all the College Rectors and Principals who make this gathering possible each year.

📖 Read the full story on our website (link in bio)

01/09/2026

Tickets are now available for the 2026 Mazenod Alumni Awards Dinner.

Held on Friday 23 October at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, the evening will celebrate the achievements and impact of Mazenod Old Collegians, bringing together alumni, families, friends and members of the wider College community.

This year’s dinner will have a musical theme, with Mazenod students performing songs from a range of musicals, including the 2026 College production of Beauty and the Beast.

We are also pleased to share that Fr John Sherman OMI, former College Rector and Provincial, will be in attendance, with Nick Parry (MOC1996) joining us as MC. A proud Old Collegian, Nick has built a career across communications, public policy and government, and remains closely connected to the Mazenod community including the Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club.

Join us for dinner, drinks, entertainment, award presentations and a night of connection across generations of the Mazenod community.

Book your tickets now:
https://events.humanitix.com/mazenod-alumni-awards-dinner-2026/tickets

31/08/2026

A very big Happy Birthday to Fr John P Sherman OMI today! What an amazing milestone, to reach 90 years. We wish you many blessings as you continue to be a blessing to our province.

Hip hip hooray!!!

22/08/2026

21/08/2026

The latest edition of DMF Chat is here! 💫

This month we reflect on the Feast of the Assumption and St Eugene’s special moment of grace before Mary, continue our journey towards the 200th anniversary of the approval of the Oblate Constitutions and Rules, and share plenty of news from across the De Mazenod Family.

Happy Reading!

De Mazenod Family Chat Vol. 10 🙏 - https://mailchi.mp/a310711b9151/de-mazenod-family-chat-vol-17460454

15/08/2026

The Smile of the Oblate Madonna 🤍

On August 15, 1822, as the statue now known as the Oblate Madonna was placed in Aix-en-Provence, St Eugene de Mazenod experienced a moment of grace so vivid he later said the statue smiled upon him.

In that moment, Mary became more than Mother to him , she was hope itself, affirming his calling and renewing his vision for the young Oblate congregation.

🕊️ "I found in her heart sure means of salvation… everything pleased me about her." - St Eugene
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14/08/2026

Feast of the Assumption 🤍

Today the Church celebrates Mary being taken body and soul into Heaven.

For us Oblates, this day means even more. On this feast in 1822, St Eugene de Mazenod knelt before a statue of Mary in Aix-en-Provence during a moment of real doubt for the young congregation - and found his confidence in the mission renewed. That same statue, now the Oblate Madonna, is still venerated in Rome today.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. ✨
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10/08/2026

Staff from across the Oblate education community came together last week for the annual De Mazenod Family Education Conference.

The conference brings together staff from Oblate schools to build connections, share practice and reflect on the common charism of St Eugene de Mazenod, which continues to shape our communities through faith, service, presence and care.

It was a pleasure to welcome colleagues from St Eugene’s College Qld, Mazenod College WA and Iona College Qld, and to share time together as part of a wider Oblate education community.

Thank you to all staff involved in preparing and supporting the conference, and to everyone who contributed to a meaningful gathering of shared mission, friendship and formation.