OMI WORLD

Casa
Italia
Rome
OMI WORLD

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. A Roman Catholic religious community of priests and brothers.
(1)

29/05/2026

Feast of Blessed Joseph Gérard, OMI – Cedara Scholasticate Pilgrimage
On the occasion of the Feast of Blessed Joseph Gérard, OMI, the St. Joseph Scholasticate Community in Cedara marked the celebration with a pilgrimage to the chapel of Allard House. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Barnabas Simatende, OMI, with the presence of the Superior, Fr. Shoba, OMI.
All the scholastics participated actively, bringing vitality and devotion to the celebration. The choice of Allard House held particular significance, as it is the place where Blessed Joseph Gérard was ordained to the priesthood, having arrived in Natal, South Africa, as a deacon.
The commemorative gathering offered a moment of prayerful reflection and renewed inspiration, rooted in the missionary legacy of Blessed Gérard.

Reflecting on the missionary witness of Blessed Joseph Gérard, Fr. Barnabas invited the community to rediscover the true purpose of formation and missionary discipleship:
“Our years in formation are not meant to make us comfortable with books and arguments. They are meant to form hearts that are ready to walk; ready to go into villages, into parishes, into hospital wards, into homes where no one wants to go. Joseph Gérard learned Sesotho before he preached a single sermon. He allowed himself to be formed by the people before seeking to form them. That is the heart of an Oblate.” St. Joseph's Theological Institute

29/05/2026

Congratulations to our newest community members - Jose, Minh, Luis, Carlos, Comfort, and Alfred - who professed their first vows as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate this morning in Belleville, IL!

Welcome to the community, brothers!

29/05/2026

“29 May 2026. Feast of Bl. Joseph Gerard OMI – first reading: Is 52:7-10

First and foremost, a happy feast day to all Oblates, Oblate Associates, and to the people of Lesotho.

A direct translation of Isa 52:7 reads as follows: “How lovely on the mountains, have been the feet of one who proclaims good news (and causes others to hear), sounding peace (or completeness), proclaiming good news, sounding salvation, saying to Zion, ‘your God reigns’”!

The words “proclaims good news”, used twice in this verse occur as a strong verb in the original text. This means that the proclamation has force, is deliberate, and is spoken with conviction. These traits are normally attributed to the utterances of God. Furthermore in the original it is clear that the proclaimer caused others to hear what is being said.

Joseph Gerard OMI was ordained priest in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1854 at the age of 23. As a 31 year old he evangelised in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho – giving flesh to the ancient words of Isaiah: “How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of the messenger announcing peace, of the messenger of good news…” (Isa 52:7). Because of his zeal and ardent love of God he became known to the Basotho people as the Apostle on horseback.

134 years later on 15 September 1988, Lesotho once again resounded with the prophetic declaration of Isaiah as the feet of another Apostle touched Basotho soil, literally greeting the people with the good news of “Khotso, p**a, nala” (peace, rain and prosperity). These were the feet of John-Paul II who beatified Joseph Gerard. When this happened, God through his Church, approved yet again of the Oblate spirit in the world.

The Oblate motto “he sent me to bring the good news to the poor” (Lk 4:18) was fulfilled in the life and mission of Blessed Joseph Gerard OMI. In spite of frail health he lovingly ministered to his flock. What a good example! We give thanks to our Lord for the life and mission of this great Oblate.”
LJC et MI.
Bishop Sylvester David OMI
VG/Auxiliary Bishop: Cape Town

28/05/2026

May 29: Blessed Ntate Joseph Gérard, OMI

Khotso, P**a, Nala!

“…Wherever Blessed Joseph Gérard went, he lived his missionary vocation with extraordinary apostolic fervour. His love for God, which burned ever more ardently in his heart, showed itself in practical love of neighbour. Above all he is remembered for his special care for the sick and suffering. Through frequent visits and his gentle manner, he always seemed to bring them fresh courage and hope. For those near the hour of death he found the right words to prepare them to meet God peacefully, face to face.

The secret of his holiness, the key to his joy and zeal, was the simple fact that he lived continually in the presence of God. Blessed Joseph’s whole life was caught up in the love of the Holy Trinity. People wanted to be near to Father Gérard because he always seemed near to God. He was filled with a spirit of prayer, nourished daily by the Liturgy of the Hours and by frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament. He had a fervent devotion to the Mother of God and the Saints. During his long and difficult journeys to outlying missions and the homes of the sick, he conversed continually with his beloved Lord. It is undoubtedly this vivid sense of being always in the presence of God that explains his lifelong fidelity to his religious vows of chastity, poverty and obedience and to his obligations as a priest.

Here in Lesotho you have a traditional greeting: Khotso, P**a, Nala, – peace, rain and abundance. Blessed Joseph Gérard must have often prayed for these same blessings, he must have often uttered this same greeting in this land.

Blessed Joseph Gérard, pray for us; lead us to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother in faith. Amen.”

(HOMILY OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
AT THE BEATIFICATION OF FATHER JOSEPH GÉRARD. Maseru Race Course (Lesotho)
Thursday, 15 September 1988)

28/05/2026

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Kenneth Thorson, member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.) as bishop of the diocese of Prince Albert, Canada.

28/05/2026

RIP Bro. Thomas FONSEKA, OMI
Oblate Province of Colombo

27/05/2026

Fr. Antoni Bochm, OMI, Vicar General, has been in China, where he has been preaching the retreat for the Delegation. Following his visits to Oblates in Mainland China and Hong Kong, he gained a deeper appreciation of their dedicated ministry, serving in parishes and schools and reaching out to the poor, the homeless, and prisoners, including distributing food to hundreds in need.
The Delegation, composed of 14 Oblates and 2 scholastics, continues to offer a humble yet powerful witness of missionary zeal and compassion.

26/05/2026

On 22nd of May the OMI delegation of Bangladesh celebrated the feast of the founder at Noyanagar community Dhaka. At the same time Fr Pius OMI was given the farewell as he goes to Ecuador a missionary. The Ceremony was graced by Bishop Subroto Boniface Gomes, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka and Rev Fr. Henricus Asodo, O.M.I. the assistant General for formation…

26/05/2026

Over the course of the weekend, May 21-24, Mazenod community celebrated many Moments of Grace. Over 1500 people were able to attend Mazenod’s first ever Cathedral Mass, Gala Ball and Lesmurdie Parish celebration. The key message was of gratitude to God for the very many people who have helped shape and continue to shape our diverse and St Eugene inspired community. Mazenod College is a local Catholic school for the entire State and we look forward to many more moments of Grace in the present and years ahead.

25/05/2026

ORDENACIÓN DIACONAL

Con inmensa alegría y agradecimiento a Dios, los Misioneros Oblatos de María Inmaculada anuncian la Ordenación Diaconal de nuestros hermanos, Gabriel Mendez Aquino OMI, Doroteo Gutiérrez Herrera OMI y Floriberto González Castañeda OMI, por imposición de manos de Mons. Jorge Cuapio Bautista, Obispo de la Diócesis de Iztapalapa, en la Parroquia Cristo Salvador y Señor, Iztapalapa el día sábado, 30 de mayo, 2026 a las 19:00 hrs. Acompañemos a nuestros hermanos con nuestras oraciones.

Indirizzo

Via Aurelia 290
Rome
00165

Telefono

+3906398771

Sito Web

http://www.omiworld.org/

Notifiche

Lasciando la tua email puoi essere il primo a sapere quando OMI WORLD pubblica notizie e promozioni. Il tuo indirizzo email non verrà utilizzato per nessun altro scopo e potrai annullare l'iscrizione in qualsiasi momento.