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Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate / General Administration
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6-12 July 2026 (Week 28) | 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
6-12 July 2026
Bicentennial Celebrations In Marseille Be Both Witnesses And Channels Of A New Outpouring Of Grace. Plus 5 more stories: Vatican News; Oblate news from Latin America, Europe.
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Lead Story
Bicentennial Celebrations In Marseille Be Both Witnesses And Channels Of A New Outpouring Of Grace
On July 11, 2026, the Oblate family gathered at “Les Accoules” in Marseille to mark the 200th anniversary of the pontifical approval of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Returning to the site of the 1826 General Chapter, participants celebrated with thanksgiving and renewal. In his homily, the Superior General urged them to rediscover their identity and embrace their mission with renewed vigor, declaring, “May we understand well what we are! As children of Mary Immaculate, may we launch ourselves with audacity, leaving nothing undared in carrying the Gospel and announcing the Kingdom to the most abandoned.” The gathering recalled the 1826 Chapter, when Pope Leo XII’s approval transformed the Oblates into a pontifical congregation, a moment of deep joy and commitment for the small band of missionaries led by St. Eugene de Mazenod.
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Vatican News
 Pope to have lunch with 200 poor people from Rome in Castel Gandolfo (Photo: Vatican News)On Saturday, 11 July, Pope Leo will share a meal with around 200 poor people from Rome at Borgo Laudato si' in the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo. The event, called Lunch with the Pope, will begin with a Eucharistic celebration using the Liturgy for the Care of Creation, followed by a guided tour, refreshments, and a shared lunch. Organized jointly by the Laudato si' Centre for Higher Education, the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, and the Diocese of Rome, the gathering builds on a 2025 initiative first launched in the Diocese of Albano. Cardinal Fabio Baggio emphasized that the encounter reaffirms the Church’s call to listen, draw near, and offer hope to those on the social peripheries. Read more →
 West Bank parish priest calls for action to preserve Christian presence (Photo: Vatican News)West Bank parish priest calls for action to preserve Christian presence By Beatrice Guarrera Taybeh, the last entirely Christian Palestinian village in the West Bank, is facing what its parish priest describes as an unprecedented threat to its land, its people and its historic Christian presence. After months of appeals over repeated violence targeting the village, Father Bashar Fawadleh says a... Read more →
 Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery in Ukraine: A heritage of faith and culture (Photo: Vatican News)In an interview with Vatican News, medieval historian Dmytro Hordienko discussed the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine’s oldest monastery and a key symbol of its Christian heritage. Founded by Saints Anthony and Theodosius in the 11th century, the monastery grew under Theodosius’ leadership, who established its structure and rule after reconciling with Prince Sviatoslav Yaroslavych, who contributed funds for the Cathedral of the Dormition. Tradition holds that the Virgin Mary designated the site, linking the monastery’s spiritual significance to her protection. Hordienko highlighted its enduring role in shaping Kyivan Rus’ monasticism and its ongoing challenges today. Read more →
Regional Activities
Latin America
 Cial Formators School Called To Accompany (Photo: OMI World)Twenty-nine Oblates from the Latin American and Caribbean Region attended the 2026 Formators’ School in Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico, from June 14 to 27. Under the theme “Called to Accompany,” the gathering used the CLAR framework to reflect on formation challenges and strengthen accompaniment in ministry. Sessions led by Fr. Henricus Asodo and Fr. Jorge Albergati explored religious life, interculturality, and missionary identity, while the CIAL Formation Committee shared updated formation tools. The Superior General, Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, addressed the group by videoconference, urging renewed zeal in formation, and the participants concluded with a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Read more →
Europe
 Ccrr200 France Celebrates The Bicentenary (Photo: OMI World)The Oblate Family will gather in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille on July 10 and 11 to mark the bicentenary of the approval of the Constitutions and Rules. The two-day pilgrimage will begin in Aix-en-Provence with prayer at the Foundation House and reflections by Fr. Bernard Dullier, OMI, on 1826 and the reception of the newly approved Constitutions and Rules by St. Eugene de Mazenod and the first Oblates. On July 11, participants will travel to Marseille, praying at Notre-Dame de la Garde and visiting sites linked to St. Eugene’s life, including his tomb, before concluding with a Eucharistic celebration at Les Accoules where he presented the Constitutions and Rules. The Superior General will preside at the Mass, during which Oblates will renew their religious vows. Read more →
Points for Reflection- Bicentennial Celebrations In Marseille Be Both Witnesses And Channels Of A New Outpouring Of Grace, the Superior General urged Oblates to rediscover their identity and mission with boldness, echoing Jesus’ call: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).“For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:35)
- , Cardinal Baggio reminded the Church that caring for creation and the poor are inseparable, echoing Jesus’ words: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40)
- , Father Fawadleh’s plea for land and security reflects the psalmist’s cry: “How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever?” (Psalms 13:1).“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1)
Oblate Value of the Week
Brothers, from the Dictionary of Oblate Values.
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