OMI Southern Africa

29/05/2026

NTATE JOSEPH GERARD: APOSTLE OF LESOTHO (1831 - 1914)

Today, the Church in Southern Africa celebrates the Memorial of Blessed Joseph Gerard, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, à French Missionary in the Southern Africa.

Bl. Joseph Gerard arrived in Natal (South Africa) from France in 1853. On the following year, as he was still a deacon, he was ordained by Bishop Jean-Francois Allard OMI on the 18th of February 1854 in the Pietermaritzburg Oblate House (now known as Allard House).

His first ministry was among the Zulu’s, of whom the founder St. Eugene de Mazenod, had sent them to. They opened their first mission on September 2, 1855 and it was called St. Michael’s (Endonyane). The mission due to some land disputes was subsequently closed and later on re-opened at a different location.

Bl. Joseph Gerard then settled in Lesotho in October 11 1862, in the valley which will be famously known as ‘Motse-oa M’a Jesu’ village of the mother of God - Roma. The mission among the Basotho flourished more as compared to their first mission. There were hundreds of conversions, with churches and schools built.

The Apostle of Lesotho, Ntate Gerard; truly his missionary zeal and spirit inspires us the present day missionaries that we should always dare, and in daring we must not be discouraged if the results we hoped for in evangelisation are not yielded. Furthermore, the life of this saintly missionary challenges us to be faithful to the Oblate charism until that time when we return to the Heavenly Father.

We pray through the intercession of Blessed Joseph Gerard, Apostle of Lesotho, that missionaries may persevere in their work of evangelisation - making Christ known to all, and that the whole Mazenodian family may draw inspiration from his life which mirrors that total oblation to the father and faithfulness to the rule of our society.

Blessed Joseph Gerard, Apostle of Lesotho… Pray for us.

Photo Credit: Various Oblate Sources

OMI Southern Africa OMI WORLD Omi Zimbabwe Mission National OMISA Mission with Youth Cebula house of Formation; Cleland. OMI - Lesotho

29/05/2026

Today we celebrate the memory of Blessed Joseph Gérard. 🙏
In the video, discover more about the missionary who became known as the “Apostle of Lesotho” and gave his life to the people of Africa.
Blessed Joseph Gérard, pray for us.

fans

21/05/2026

NOVENA FOR OBLATE VOCATIONS:
Starting today the Oblate Mission with youth in Southern Africa will be praying the Novena for Oblate Vocations.

Follow this link to participate:
click this link:

https://meet.google.com/idx-knwh-sax
Or open Meet and enter this code: idx-knwh-sax

PRAYER FOR OBLATE VOCATIONS

Holy Father,
we come to you because Jesus asked us to pray
that you send workers into your harvest.
You so loved the world
that you sent your Son
so that we might have the fullness of life.
He in turn sent the Twelve and the apostle Paul
to announce the good news of salvation.
After them, from generation to generation,
you have continued to send workers into the whole world
so that everyone might know you.
Then you chose Saint Eugene
and through him you brought into being a family of missionaries
who have passionately taught “who Christ is”
in every corner of the world
and have established new Christian communities.
More than ever the world needs to know of your merciful love
and needs those who will help the men and women of our time
to “become first of all human beings, and then Christians and finally, saints”.
Therefore, send us generous young men,
passionate for Jesus,
willing to make of their whole life a total oblation to you,
to become close to the poorest and most abandoned,
and to proclaim the Gospel.
May they burn with the same fire that you enkindled in Saint Eugene;
may they come to be part of his family
and, with all the Oblates, may they continue the work of Redemption.
Jesus told us that whatever we ask of you in his name,
you will grant it.
So we make this prayer to you with faith,
sure that you will hear us.
Mary Immaculate,
who first gave Jesus to the world,
be with us as we pray.

fans @

NOVENA FOR OBLATE VOCATIONS:
Starting tomorrow the Oblate Mission with youth in Southern Africa will be praying the Novena for Oblate Vocations.

Follow this link to participate:
click this link:
https://meet.google.com/idx-knwh-sax
Or open Meet and enter this code: idx-knwh-sax

PRAYER FOR OBLATE VOCATIONS

Holy Father,
we come to you because Jesus asked us to pray
that you send workers into your harvest.
You so loved the world
that you sent your Son
so that we might have the fullness of life.
He in turn sent the Twelve and the apostle Paul
to announce the good news of salvation.
After them, from generation to generation,
you have continued to send workers into the whole world
so that everyone might know you.
Then you chose Saint Eugene
and through him you brought into being a family of missionaries
who have passionately taught “who Christ is”
in every corner of the world
and have established new Christian communities.
More than ever the world needs to know of your merciful love
and needs those who will help the men and women of our time
to “become first of all human beings, and then Christians and finally, saints”.
Therefore, send us generous young men,
passionate for Jesus,
willing to make of their whole life a total oblation to you,
to become close to the poorest and most abandoned,
and to proclaim the Gospel.
May they burn with the same fire that you enkindled in Saint Eugene;
may they come to be part of his family
and, with all the Oblates, may they continue the work of Redemption.
Jesus told us that whatever we ask of you in his name,
you will grant it.
So we make this prayer to you with faith,
sure that you will hear us.
Mary Immaculate,
who first gave Jesus to the world,
be with us as we pray.

21/05/2026

St EUGENE FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS

The OMISA districts of Soweto, Germiston, Pretoria and Potchefstroom gathered at St Micheal's Catholic Church in Potchefstroom to celebrate the feast day. The main celebrant was Fr. Jeremiah Gama O.M.I.

Our theme centered around the founders last words, "charity charity amongst yourself and zeal for souls"

fans OMI Southern Africa Omi Zimbabwe Mission Cebula house of Formation; Cleland. National OMISA Mission with Youth

21/05/2026

FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATIONS

The Oblate Communities in the KZN region of the Province were hosted by St Mary's Catholic Church in Pietermaritzburg. The mass was celebrated by the His Grace Archbishop of Durban, Mandla Jwara CMM and the preacher of the day was Fr Malusi Zaca of the Archdiocese of Durban.

In his Homily Father Zaca encouraged the Oblates to remain true to their calling to religious life.

We thank the parish of St Mary's for their hospitality, the MAMI for always making these gatherings cheerful and all the people who joined us for this celebration.

fans Omi Zimbabwe Mission Cebula house of Formation; Cleland. National OMISA Mission with Youth St Joseph's Oblate Scholasticate - Cedara R.S.A OMI WORLD

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

St Eugene De Mazenod pray for us
fans OMI Southern Africa Cebula house of Formation; Cleland. National OMISA Mission with Youth

21/05/2026

HAPPY FEAST DAY

We would like to wish a happy feast day to all the Oblates and friends of the Oblates on this most special day. Today we commemorate the Solemnity of our St Eugene De Mazenod. Through his intercession we ask to renew us in his zeal for holiness and Mission.

fans Omi Zimbabwe Mission St Joseph's Oblate Scholasticate - Cedara R.S.A Cebula house of Formation; Cleland.

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

Bishop Neil Frank of the Diocese of Marianhill, South Africa, delivered today a presentation which focused on Oblate Bishops and the Oblate charism.

OMI Southern Africa Omi Zimbabwe Mission Diocese of Mariannhill - South Africa