539 - December 2013
November 5th, 2013 - November 25th, 2013

EUROPE

Commission for Youth and Vocation Ministry

The European Commission for Youth and Vocation Ministry (CPJVE) met in Ukraine, at Obuhiv and Trivriv, on 21-25 October.

Frs. Bartosz MADEJSKI (Poland), Jens WATTEROTH (Central European Province), David MUNOZ and Antonio D’AMORE (Mediterranean Province), Piotr WROBLEWSKI (Ukraine Delegation), Vincent GRUBER (France), Pavlo WYSZKOWSKI (CIE representative) and Luis Ignacio ROIS (General Councillor) participated.

We prayed together, enjoyed the time and worked, of course. We evaluated the Oblate World Youth Days in Aparecida, before Rio and GECO 2013 (the second European gathering deepening the Oblate charism for youth from all our units). The GECO 2013 theme was: “Passionate for Christ – Eugene, in his family and his youthful experiences and our own experiences today.” We discussed many important issues like celebrating the Triennium for the 200^th anniversary of the Congregation together with youth from Europe; plans for the coming years; increasing of the communication between Oblates and Oblate youth…

Future projects:

• 2014: a gathering in the local Unit or with another Unit but in line with the 1^st year Triennium theme: A new heart: Life in apostolic community
• 2015: A European pilgrimage to Aix in August with the Brazilian Oblate cross. For young people from 20 to 26 years old, working with Oblates and according to the 2^nd year Triennium theme : A new Spirit: Lifelong formation
• 2016: Oblate pre-WYD in Wroclaw, Poland, and WYD in Cracow, taking into account the subject of the 3^rd year Triennium theme : A new Mission: Zeal to leave nothing undared.
• 2017: 3^rd GECO somewhere in Europe (N.B., GECO from the Italian: Giovani d’Europa per il Carisma Oblato [Youth of Europe for the Oblate Charism])

We listened to interesting speech of Fr. Pavlo WYSZKOWSKI about the Oblate and youth community. At the same time we visited a bit of Ukraine and know better the situation of the Church there. We stayed 2 days in Tivriv where Oblates together with youth and with the help of qualified workers are renovated the huge old monastery and church, preparing those buildings to be the center of the youth movement. The reconstruction of the monastery has already been supported by many Oblate Units and gives hope for the future on our European cooperation. (Bartosz Madejski, CPJVE President, and Vincent Gruber, Secretary)

The “Misioneras Oblatas” celebrate

It has been 16 years since the new congregation of the “Misioneras Oblatas de María Inmaculada” was founded in Spain -- five years earlier, there was a foundation in Paraguay. With the passing of time, they have also become international: candidates from Germany, Poland and Ukraine have come forth with the same attraction: they desired to be “Misioneras Oblatas,” fulfilling the charism of St. Eugene as women religious.

November 1, 2013 was a milestone in the history of this young congregation, which is of diocesan right: the first non-Spanish juniors celebrated their perpetual oblation. They are Katharina RAMRATH of Germany (the first of four Germans) and Iuliia VENGLOVSKA (Ukrainian). Many relatives and friends came from their countries to this celebration. The Mass was presided by the Bishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouca Varela who has always been very supportive of them. The Mass had parts in the 3 languages: Castilian, Ukrainian and German - a language also used by the Cardinal. 

Concelebrating were the Oblate superiors of the Central European Province and of the Delegaton of Ukraine, Stefan OBERGFELL and Pawel WYSZKOWSKI. Miguel FRITZ represented the Central Government.

There are now 22 sisters in vows, besides several candidates. In all, they represent four different cultures; they live and work in three communities. The Mazenodian Family continues to grow! (Miguel Fritz)