Oblate News

Pilgrimage vs. Olympics: A Way of Service

Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso OMI Superior General

The pilgrim spirit has recently stirred within our charismatic family. Many have embarked, or soon will, on the ancient Camino de Santiago de Compostela (The Way of St. James). I had the privilege of participating in the send-off mass and blessing of 60 young people from Spain who began their pilgrimage in Pozuelo, accompanied by 6 Oblates, 2 Oblate sisters, and a laywoman from our family. In a few days, I will join another similar group from various European countries. Buen Camino, pilgrims!

Interestingly, this first group began their pilgrimage on the same day as the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris. Now, there’s no denying the inspiration to be found in athletes who have trained for years to participate in this competition, often the same age as our young pilgrims. St. Paul himself found value in such events. The Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger), encourages us to strive for excellence, though few will win a medal.

Yet, the Gospel offers a different path, one not of competition but of service. In the Gospel reading at the pilgrims’ send-off Mass, celebrated on the Solemnity of St. James the Apostle at the Oblate Martyrs’ house in Pozuelo, we heard Christ’s words: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.” (Matt 20:26-27)   This message may not lead to an Olympic medal, but it is a compass for those who follow Christ, the eternal pilgrim, who came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:28)

In the General Chapter held two years ago and in the Universal Jubilee about to begin, we feel the urgent call to “be pilgrims.” What does this concretely mean for us? Perhaps we should ask our young pilgrims what this has meant for them these days and learn from them. For I believe we all must set out on a journey to make flesh the Gospel of Jesus, who became a pilgrim himself, “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). To be a pilgrim is to serve others, especially the poor, with no other motive than to extend Christ’s offering of himself, who gave his life as a ransom for many.  This is our charism, our heritage from Eugene de Mazenod, and from all who have embodied it throughout our history. It is our roadmap to authentically live out our vocation as a charismatic family in these times.

Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso OMI
Superior General

The above article was taken from OMI World.