The Oblates are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate with joy and gratitude to God and people. A week-long celebration is planned in Rome for this occasion.

Sunday, February 15, marked the first day of the week-long celebration. Several dozen Oblates from around the world arrived in Rome. In the morning, Father Paolo Archiati from Aix-en-Provence presided over Holy Mass in the chapel of the General House.

At noon, some of the participants went to St. Peter's Square to take part in the Angelus prayer with Pope Leo. In the afternoon, a beautiful and moving service was held at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Campitelli, centered around a large Oblate cross. It was in this church, exactly 200 years ago, that Eugene de Mazenod, awaiting the outcome of the cardinals' consultation before his audience with Leo XII, spent many hours in prayer, attending nine Masses in succession. His prayers bore fruit: after receiving the cardinals' recommendation, the pope approved the Constitutions and Rules of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. During the service, prayers were offered for fidelity to the Rules, the Oblate cross was adored, and printed texts of selected articles from the Constitutions and Rules were distributed.

(Source: oblaci.pl; translation: TJ/DJ)

The following days will be filled with prayer, reflection on the significant events of the past 200 years, and visits to places where our Oblate history unfolded: the places where Eugene stayed while awaiting the decision of the cardinals and the Holy Father, the Quirinal, where Pope Leo XII signed the decree approving our Constitutions and Rules, and prayer at his tomb. The celebrations will culminate in an audience with Pope Leo XIV and the renewal of the unity of our Congregation with the Successor of St. Peter. Our province is represented at these main celebrations by Fr. Provincial Jacek Nosowicz and Br. Tadeusz Orzechowski. 

(TJ/DJ)