542 - March 2014
January 28th, 2014 - February 25th, 2014

ASIA-OCEANIA

Since it was not possible for everyone to come together on the 8^th of December, the Oblates in Japan decided to meet in Itami on 26 December 2013.

The liturgy to open the Triennium began with a hymn to the Holy Spirit followed by meditation, prayer and reflection. Sitting together as a community facing the baby Jesus in the crib was an important moment for us. It was as if we too like the Magi from distant lands were present together that evening.

After the one-hour liturgy it was time for a social hour and fellowship. As the spirits refreshed the soul, some delicious dishes nourished the body. When everyone had his full then came the ‘bingo time’ that was enjoyed by all. Some were in a mood to sing and dance too!

The following day we gathered in the chapel of Itami church for the Eucharist, which was presided over by the most senior man in the delegation Fr. Bert SILVER.

The Magi left the land they knew following a star to a place of uncertainty and discovered the Savior of the world. Their encounter with the Lord changed literally the direction of their lives and they returned home as renewed persons.

The Triennium is a time for both personal and community renewal. It also invites us to change direction through concrete gestures of conversion. Our wish and prayer is that during these weeks and months of preparation, God may inspire us, help us be bold and courageous so that we will commit ourselves to some real signs of new life among us. (Bradly ROZAIRO)

The year 2014 will mark the 75^th anniversary of Oblate missionaries in the Philippines. The first pioneer missionaries came from United States provinces: Frs. Gerard MONGEAU (Texas Province), Emile BOLDUC, Egide BEAUDOIN and George DION (Franco-American Province). They landed in Manila on 25 September, 1939. Fr. Mongeau was appointed as the Superior of the Philippine Mission directly under the General Administration and supported by the 4 American Provinces.

In January 2014, a preparatory committee for the jubilee laid out plans that will culminate in a three-day celebration in September 2014: the Festival of Remembering on 23 September; the Festival of Reliving on 24 September; and the Festival of Hoping on 25 September.

On the whole, the jubilee will be a celebration of thanksgiving for the Divine Creator’s loving grace and guidance. It will commemorate the legacy of the early Oblates, vigorously renew the spirit of evangelization among present co-workers and missionaries, and face the challenges of the future of new evangelization with zeal, especially among the poor and the abandoned, with concrete actions as articulated in the province’s 2013 Congress.

Among the many activities, there will be:

• A comprehensive video production depicting the life of the Pioneers, pioneering ministries, present ministries and life of the martyrs of the Philippine Province;
• Videos about Oblate missions on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter;
• Thematic monthly District days of recollection for Oblates, based on the Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii gaudium” and talks by former provincials.