Oblate Superior General lauds OMIs JPIC ministry
• 04:01 AM Mon Sep 29, 2014
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
OMI Superior General Fr. Louis Lougen (omicolombo.org)
MIDSAYAP,
North Cotabato -- The superior general of the Oblates of Mary
Immaculate (OMI) has praised the OMIs in the Philippines for its ministry of justice
and peace in its mission areas and living simple lifestyle, close to the poor.
It strikes me
that your Province has a special gift for integrating the ministry of Peace,
Justice and Integrity of Creation with the commitment to lives of prayer and
holiness lived in healthy Oblate apostolic communities,” OMI Superior General
Father Louis Lougen said in his message to OMIs in the Philippines during
its 75th jubilee celebration this year.
Continue to
emphasize this important integration of life and faith,” he urged missionaries.
The OMIs
celebrated this month its jubilee year with a commitment to continue the
missionary spirit to leave nothing undared.”
He said the OMI
martyrs in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, two of the most difficult missions of the
Oblates, have shed their blood and witnessed to the Reign of God characterized
by peace, dialogue, respect and love among all peoples, no matter of what
religion.”
We are proud
of you because it is the Lord who has done great things in and through you,” he
told the Philippine Oblates.
The superior
general was impressed how the Oblates in the Philippines live simple lives and being
closer to the poor.
It is
particularly noteworthy to see your efforts to have a lifestyle that is simple
and close to the poor and this is a sign of conversion called for by our
General Chapter of 2010,” he said.
Fr. Lougen
said the 75 years of OMI daring presence in the Philippines was also a celebration
of the entire congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the
world. The charism of the Oblates was brought from afar and planted in rich
soil. Indeed it has rooted well and is flourishing,” he said.
The Oblate
missionary spirit to ‘leave nothing undared’ has been expressed in so many prophetic
ministries at the side of and in the midst of the poor and reflect St. Eugene’s
charism,” the Rome-based OMI superior general said.
Fr. Lougen
said he is praying to Mother Mary Immaculate to intercede for all the members
of the Province in the Philippines so that you continue to be holy men on fire
with the missionary spirit to preach the Gospel to the poor and most abandoned.”
On a personal
note, he congratulated His Eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, first OMI
cardinal from Philippine province and from Mindanao, and Jolo Archbishop
Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD.