Missionnaires Oblats d'Aix

We, students in Aix-en-Provence, chose to live our university year alongside with the Oblate community. During the integration weekend, we met and had time for sharing. it was the time to build fraternal links by getting to know each other.

Each one of us with each difference and each own personality has become integrated and we now form a true fraternity based on listening, respect for others, openness, sharing and spiritual life. It was also thanks to a natural friendship and a relaxing atmosphere that we felt welcome in the community. As a project of Christian life inspired by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, helping the poor and the weak is essential, it is a question of making the choice to “succeed one’s life” rather than that of “to succeed in life “. After a common reflection, a word emerges as a guideline of the year, the one in which God expresses himself: “I am the light of the world, the one who follows me will not walk in darkness, but on the contrary he will have the light of life “(John 8:12). We are called to bring that light ever present in our hearts so that it can illuminate the world. It is through the fruit of this weekend of integration that the light of God will spring.

Gabrielle BOURCIER

The summer festival is the culmination of the “Parcours-Mission” (Mission-Journeys). It is part of the Year of Oblate Vocations. It is organized by young people linked with the Oblate community of Lyon and that of Aix-en-Provence. It is conducted together with the Oblate scholastics. It is a missionary activity lived in joy.

For several years, the Oblates of France have been offering young people in search of their place in the Church a formation in Christian life and Oblate Charism. Thiscourse is called the “Parcours-Mission”. It is given during three weekends lived at the House of Chavril located in Sainte Foy-Lès-Lyon. The summer festival is a missionary activity organized by the participants of this course.

This time, the summer festival is part of the year of Oblate vocations which has for the theme « The joy and generosity in the Oblate life ». It is in the availability for the mission that we find true joy and fulfillment. The young organizers of the festival make their first experience.

The meetings and the sharing during this festival are enriched by the presence of Scholastics who study theology in the Oblate formation houses in Poland, Italy and the United States. A true fraternity that crosses beyond the geographical boundaries is happening here.

Krzysztof ZIELENDA, OMI

The “Parcours-Mission” is a proposal of the Oblate community of Chavril in Lyon. It consists of 3 weekends meant to bring together young people seeking meaning in their lives and their place in the Church and the world. The third weekend of this year took place in Aix.

To deepen our relationship with Christ we spent four days together from Ascension Thursday to the following Sunday. The reflection on mission in Oblate spirituality had for its source the words from the Gospel of St. Mark: “To be with… and to be sent…” (Mark 3,14).

The reflection was enriched by various talks given by Oblates: Mission in the New Testament, the Eucharist in the life of Saint Eugene de Mazenod, Mission and internationality and finally Evangelization.

Since the main theme of these days was Mission, we had to challenge our talents by organizing the Ascension Thursday Mass and a prayer vigil on Saturday evening, which was highly appreciated by all participants.

We certainly did not miss moments of deepening our friendship and exchange between us, while visiting the city of Aix in the footsteps of Saint Eugene.

On Friday afternoon we attended Mass at Montperrin, the psychiatric hospital of Aix. During the visit we followed a well-prepared presentation on the mission of the chaplaincy. Before and after the celebration we were able to exchange with some patients of the hospital.

With this 3rd weekend we concluded the Parcours-Mission 2017-2018. The next edition is already in preparation. It is a beautiful experience for all young people who wish to know and experience Oblate spirituality in their daily lives.

Patrick VEY, OMI

On Sunday May 5th, 2018, The Frat’s (University Students who lodge in the Oblate Community of Aix) garhered for a day of prayer. The day was for prayer as well as for the evaluation of our fraternity along this year. This moment was deeply appreciated.

Mario shares here his experience og that day: “The Frat’s has lived a day of recollection and a day of evaluating our objectives of living in the fraternity, set at the beginning of the year. It was accompanied by the Word of God in the biblical text of the Burning Bush. We had truly an encounter with God who remains faithful to us in any situation of each of us. We, then, should remain faithful to him too, despite the reality that our life is like a combat. Thanks to all for this wonderful day and I wish you a good continuation on walking in the path of faith »

Mario REQUENA