OMI - Lesotho

03/06/2026

On Friday, 29 May, bishops, priests, religious, and the faithful gathered at Roma for a pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed Joseph Gerard. The main intention of the Catholic Church in Lesotho was to pray for his cause of canonization, that he may one day be elevated from Blessed to Saint.

Catholics came in large numbers from different parts of the country and even beyond. During the pilgrimage, some of the faithful shared testimonies of the help and intercession they had received through Blessed Joseph Gerard.

The pilgrimage was held in two parts: the gathering on 29 May was mainly attended by adults, while 30 May was dedicated to the youth.

As the Church continues to pray and collect testimonies, we remain hopeful that one day Blessed Joseph Gerard will be declared a Saint for the universal Church.

02/06/2026

Rev. Fr. Jacob Salooe, OMI, serves as the Vice-Postulator (or Vicar Postulator) for the Cause of Blessed Joseph Gerard in Lesotho, his role is to gather and coordinate information related to the cause at the local level and to maintain communication with the General Postulator in Rome.
Therefore:
Testimonies concerning favors received through the intercession of Blessed Joseph Gerard can be submitted to Fr. Jacob Salooe.

He examines and organizes the documentation.

He forwards the relevant testimonies and evidence to the General Postulator.

The General Postulator then follows up with the appropriate ecclesiastical authorities, especially if a reported favor appears to be a potential miracle or is otherwise significant for the cause.

For a testimony to be useful, it should normally include:

A clear description of the favor or healing received.

Dates and places.

Medical documentation where applicable.

Names and contact details of witnesses.

So, if people wish to report favors obtained through the intercession of Blessed Joseph Gerard, sending the testimony to Fr. Jacob Salooe as Vice-Postulator is the proper local channel before it reaches the General Postulator.

The General Postulation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate follows the canonization causes connected to the congregation. It gathers documents, testimonies and historical research about Oblate missionaries whose lives left deep marks on the Church and on the communities where they served.

But the work of the Postulation goes beyond canonical processes.

It also preserves the Oblate missionary memory and keeps alive the stories of men who spent their lives proclaiming the Gospel, often in difficult, forgotten places marked by suffering.

The Constitutions and Rules of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate state:
“The Postulator General, in accordance with the mind of the Superior General, diffuses a wider knowledge of Oblates who have enriched the Congregation’s history with an outstanding witness of their holiness; and he especially promotes, according to the Church’s common law, the causes of those who are a special source of inspiration not only for the Congregation but for the whole Church.” (CCRR, R. 149c)

The Postulation exists precisely for this: to ensure that these testimonies continue speaking to the Church today. ✨

29/05/2026

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)

21/05/2026

The feast of St. Eugene de Mazenod

20/05/2026

On the Feast of St. Eugene de Mazenod, 21 May, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the Lesotho Province will gather in thanksgiving to celebrate this special day together with our Jubilarians.
We thank God for the faithful witness and dedicated service of: Frs. Ignatius Selialia and Alexis Lekau celebrating 60 years of Religious Life; His Grace Archbishop Gerard Lerotholi and Fr. Paul Matlosa celebrating 50 years of Religious Life; Fr. Pascalis Pitso celebrating 25 years of Religious Life; and Frs. Lawrence Moshoeshoe, Lawrence Moeketsi, and Samuel Maliehe celebrating 25 years of Priestly Ordination.
We place them all in the hands of our Lord, asking Him to continue blessing them with good health, strength, and perseverance in their missionary vocation.

19/05/2026

From OMI WORLD The General House serves as the venue for a gathering of 20 Oblate Bishops from around the world, reflecting the Congregation's truly international character. Participants come from diverse countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Peru, Lesotho, Namibia, Paraguay, South Africa, Ukraine, Zambia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Canada, as well as the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo and the Diocese of Churchill in Manitoba, Canada. This broad representation highlights the global reach of the Oblate mission and the richness of its cultural and pastoral contexts.

Yesterday’s program included two significant presentations. The first, titled “Eugene de Mazenod: Bishop and Founder,” was delivered by Fr. Frank Santucci, Superior of the General House. The second, presented by Bishop Neil Frank of the Diocese of Marianhill, South Africa, focused on Oblate Bishops and the Oblate charism. After each presentation, the bishops gathered in small round-table groups to foster dialogue, fraternity, and shared reflection.

This ongoing meeting provides an opportunity for participants to deepen their communion, exchange pastoral experiences, and renew their commitment to the mission of the Church, inspired by the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod.

18/05/2026

MAMI – LESOTHO PROVINCE

The Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI) held a profound retreat from the 15th to the 17th May 2026, preached by Rev. Fr. Clement Ramotinyane Tampane, OMI. The theme of the retreat was: “Drawing Strength from the Holy Cross.”
During the retreat, the retreat master reflected deeply on the experience of the Founder, , particularly his encounter with the Holy Cross on Good Friday in 1807. Through these reflections, participants were invited to renew and rediscover their identity as members of the Mazenodian Family.
As part of the programme, members of MAMI also visited the graves of the deceased Oblates at the cemetery.
On Sunday, which marked the conclusion of the retreat, MAMI welcomed 10 new members from different places into the association. The gathering also expressed gratitude to the outgoing committee by presenting them with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their dedicated service and hard work during their term of office.
The opening Mass of the retreat was presided over by Fr. Stephen Molefi, OMI, the Provincial.

13/05/2026

M.A.M.I. stands for the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate. It is an organisation within the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and forms part of the Mazenodian Family inspired by the spirituality of St. Eugene de Mazenod.
Members of M.A.M.I. are lay faithful who freely choose to share in the spirituality, mission, and charism of the Oblates. The association is open to both men and women.
Among some Basotho, there is sometimes a misunderstanding that “MAMI” refers only to women, as though there should also be “PAPIS.” However, the name is simply an acronym for the association and does not refer to gender.
Therefore, all Catholic faithful — ladies and gentlemen alike — are warmly invited to be members.
Rea mengoa bohle, bo ntate le bo 'm'e, ha se mokhatlo oa bo 'm'e fela.

09/05/2026

We give thanks to God for the safe return of our Pre-Novices from Kenya, where they spent three years in formation and academic study. Their journey has been one of growth, dedication, and preparation for the mission ahead.

They were warmly received at Moshoeshoe I International Airport by the Provincial, Fr. Stephen Molefi, who welcomed them home.

Having obtained qualifications in Philosophy, they are now well prepared to continue with their theological studies as they advance in their formation.

Welcome home, brothers. May God continue to guide and strengthen you in your vocation.

01/05/2026

Today, the MAMI took the initiative to paint the kitchen of the Oblate House. This generous act has brought comfort and renewed warmth to the Oblates living in the residence.
This is not their first initiative; they continually make meaningful contributions toward the growth and betterment of the mission of the Oblates. Through the dedicated assistance of these ladies and gentlemen, the Oblates are able to carry out their ministry more effectively and efficiently.
We sincerely thank them for their unwavering support and generous spirit.
Laudetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata.