Oblate News

Vocations Novena May 21st

Vocations Novena begins on Feast of St Eugene de Mazenod

Novena for Vocations

Vocations Novena 21^st-29^{th of} May – a time for the Oblate family to pray together

In thanksgiving for vocations; past, present and future 

The annual Novena for Oblate Vocations is fast approaching! Each year, Oblate communities throughout the world are praying that ‘the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to the harvest.’ (Mt 9:38)

Christ is Alive and looking to the future with hope

For ourselves in Ireland and the UK, the past years have been challenging due to the decline of interest in our way of religious life. Yet, as Pope Francis reminds us in his recent Apostolic Exhortation, Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment – Christus Vivit – Christ  Christ is Alive, “God is there where we thought he had abandoned us and there was no further hope.” God truly has been there for the Congregation in these last years, as internationally we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of scholastics with 601 now presently in formation. We include the young students in our prayers. 

In the same document, Pope Francis asks, “When discerning your vocation, do not dismiss the possibility of devoting yourselves to God in the priesthood, the religious life or in other forms of consecration. Why not? You can be sure that, if you do recognise and follow a call from God, there you will find complete fulfilment.” (CV276) This advice from Pope Francis is simply the invitation which we are asked to extend to others. 

A time of blessing

May our Novena for Oblate Vocations 2019 be a time of blessing while we faithfully reflect upon our own vocation story and have the courage to invite others to ‘find complete fulfilment’ (CV 276)as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

John McFadden, OMI
Vocations Director

More info 

Download the Novena booklet here.

Sign up here for a very short daily reflection on vocations (21-29 May)

Visit our Vocations website here