Constitutions and Rules

of the Congregation
of the Missionary Oblates
of Mary Immaculate

Rome 2018
 Oblation crucifix of Saint Eugene de Mazenod and the
formula of vows which he pronounced on November 1, 1824
 CONTENTS

V Presentation
VII Decree
IX Foreword
1 Preface
7 Part One: The Oblate Charism
Chapter One: Mission
18 Chapter Two: Apostolic Religious Life
Section One: The Evangelical Counsels
19 Chastity
23 Poverty
27 Obedience
30 Perseverance
33 Section Two: Living in Faith
37 Section Three: The Apostolic Community
45 Part Two: Formation
Chapter One: A community Process
49 Chapter Two: Initial Formation
52 Section One: Discovering and Fostering Voca-
tions
54 Section Two: The Novitiate
57 Section Three: Religious Commitment
63 Section Four: Formation after Novitiate
67 Scholastics
69 Brothers
70 Chapter Three: Ongoing Formation
73 Part Three: Organization
The spirit of Government
75 Chapter One: Structures of the Congregation

III
 Section One: Administrative Structures
78 Section Two: Superiors: General Norms
85 Section Three: Voting Rights and Participation
86 Chapter Two: The Local Community
93 Chapter Three: The Province, Delegation and Mis-
sion
Section One: The Province
104 Section Two: The Delegation
109 Section Three: The Mission
111 Chapter Four: The Region
114 Chapter Five: General Government
Section One: The General Chapter
120 Section Two: The General Administration
121 The Superior General
127 The General Council
131 Plenary Sessions and Ordinary Sessions
134 Acting as a Collegial Body
135 The General Offices
136 General Services and Other Services
138 Chapter Six: Temporal Goods
141 The Local Level
142 The Provincial and Delegation Levels
144 The General Level
147 Chapter Seven: Fidelity to the Constitutions and
Rules
149 Appendix: Suffrages for the Deceased
151 Select Index
179 Excerpts from the Constitutions by the Founder
183 Administrative Summary

IV
 Presentation

Dear Brother Oblates,

It is with great joy that I present to you
this new edition which contains the changes
and additions made by the General Chapters
of 2004, 2010 and 2016, which have been con-
firmed by the Holy See.
We celebrate another congregational mile-
stone this year, recalling that Eugene de Ma-
zenod retreated to Saint Laurent du Verdon
between August and September of 1818 to
write the first edition of the Constitutions and
Rules for the Missionaries of Provence. He
presented them to the missionaries gathered
in their annual retreat from October 23 to No-
vember 1, 1818.
I invite us, personally and in community,
during this jubilee year, to spend a little time
each day to ponder our Constitutions and
Rules. The first ten constitutions are a beautiful
expression of the Oblate charism. Those from
number 11 to number 45, describe our con-
secrated life: the evangelical counsels, living
in faith and life in apostolic community. The
wisdom of constitutions such as those on for-
mation and leadership will also enrich the way

V
we live our charism.
Meditating on our Constitutions and Rules
can assist us on the way to becoming saints, as
desired by our Founder. Pope Francis’ recent
letter, Gaudete et Exsultate, expresses in very
down-to-earth manner, what holiness looks
like and how it is central to our lives. He is call-
ing us to be renewed in our own charism!
During a visit to Saint Joseph’s Scho-
lasticate in Cedara, outside of the refectory, I
saw the following on the bulletin board: “The
Constitutions and Rules: is it a reference book,
or a Book of Life?” It is a timely question for
us to ponder and an invitation to renew our
friendship with our CCRR so that it becomes a
real guide for living the charism handed on to
us by Eugene de Mazenod.
I am grateful to those Oblates who gave
their time and dedication to prepare this edi-
tion of our Constitutions and Rules. May Our
Lady help us to live them!

Louis Lougen, O.M.I.

Superior General

Rome, May 21, 2018

Feast of Saint Eugene de Mazenod

VI
 Sacra Congregatio
pro Religiosis
et Institutis Saecularibus

Prot. n. M. 29 – 1/80

Decree

The Congregation of the Oblates of

Mary Immaculate, whose General House
is in Rome, is devoted principally to the
evangelization of the poor.

In conformity with the principles of the

second Vatican Council and other ecclesi-
al regulations, the Congregation has very
carefully re-written the text of its Consti-
tutions and the Superior General, in the
name of the 30th Chapter, has presented the
text to the Holy See for its approval.

The Sacred Congregation for Religious

and Secular Institutes, having submitted
the text to consultors for study and having
taken account of the vote by the Congress

VII
and after due consideration, by the present
Decree approves and confirms it with the
changes indicated by the same Congress,
in conformity with the copy in French pre-
served in our archives servatis de jure servan-
dis.

This Sacred Congregation expresses the

wish that, inspired by the word and ex-
ample of their Founder Blessed Eugene de
Mazenod, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate
may live ever more generously their total
consecration to God and the specific mis-
sion entrusted to them by the Church.

E. Card. Pironio, Pref.

+ Augustin Mayer
Secr.

Given at Rome, July 3, 1982.

VIII
 Foreword

Our Lord Jesus Christ, when the ap-

pointed time came, was sent by the Fa-
ther and filled with the Spirit “to bring the
good news to the poor, to proclaim liber-
ty to captives and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim
the Lord’s year of favour” (Lk 4:18-19). He
called men to become disciples and share
in his mission; in the Church, he continues
to call others to follow him.
Saint Eugene de Mazenod heard that
call. Burning with love for Jesus and his
Church, he suffered deeply on seeing how
God’s people were abandoned. He chose
to become “the servant and priest of the
poor” and to give his life wholly to them.
Faced with an overwhelming task, he
gathered a few priests around him, men
who shared his impassioned zeal for the
most abandoned. “Live together as broth-
ers,” he urged them; “Strive to imitate the
virtues and example of our Saviour Jesus
Christ principally through preaching the
Word of God to the poor.” At his persuad-

IX
ing, they committed themselves perma-
nently to the preaching of missions, bind-
ing themselves by religious vows. Soon
afterwards, he decided to receive Brothers
as true sons of the family. Thus began the
Congregation of the Missionary Oblates
of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin
Mary.
On February 17, 1826, the new Congre-
gation and its Constitutions were formally
approved by Pope Leo XII. For the Oblates,
the Founder’s Preface to the Constitutions
will always be an unrivalled expression
of his charism and a bond of unity for
the Congregation. Here, then, is that text
which each succeeding generation of Ob-
lates has treasured as its Rule of Life:

X
 Preface

The Church, that glorious inheritance pur-

chased by Christ the Saviour at the cost of his
own blood, has in our days been cruelly rav-
aged. The beloved spouse of God’s only be-
gotten Son is torn with anguish as she mourns
the shameful defection of the children she
herself bore. Christians, but apostates, and
utterly mindless of God’s blessings, they pro-
voke divine justice by their crimes. And did
we not know that the sacred deposit of faith
is to be preserved intact to the end of time, we
would hardly be able to recognize the religion
of Christ from the few remaining traces of its
past glory that lie scattered about. Such is the
state of things brought about by the malice
and corruption of present-day Christians that
it can be truly said that the greater number of
them are worse off now than was the gentile
world before its idols were destroyed by the
Cross.
Faced with such a deplorable situation,
the Church earnestly appeals to the minis-
ters whom she herself enrolled in the cause
of her divine Spouse, to do all in their power,
by word and example, to rekindle the flame
of faith that has all but died in the hearts of
so many of her children. Alas, few heed their

1
Mother’s urgent plea. Indeed, many even
aggravate things by their own disgraceful
conduct and, instead of trying to lead people
back to the ways of justice, they themselves
must often be reminded of their own duties.
The sight of these evils has so touched the
hearts of certain priests, zealous for the glo-
ry of God, men with an ardent love for the
Church, that they are willing to give their
lives, if need be, for the salvation of souls.
They are convinced that if priests could
be formed, afire with zeal for men’s salva-
tion, priests not given to their own interests,
solidly grounded in virtue – in a word, ap-
ostolic men deeply conscious of the need to
reform themselves, who would labour with
all the resources at their command to convert
others – then there would be ample reason to
believe that in a short while people who had
gone astray might be brought back to their
long-unrecognized responsibilities. “Take
great care about what you do and what you
teach,” was Paul’s charge to Timothy, “Al-
ways do this, and thus you will save both
yourself and those who listen to you” (1 Tim
4: 16).
How, indeed, did our Lord Jesus Christ
proceed when he undertook to convert the
world? He chose a number of apostles and

2
disciples whom he himself trained in piety,
and he filled them with his Spirit. These men
he sent forth, once they had been schooled in
his teaching, to conquer the world which, be-
fore long, was to bow to his holy rule.
And how should men who want to fol-
low in the footsteps of their divine Master
Jesus Christ conduct themselves if they, in
their turn, are to win back the many souls
who have thrown off his yoke? They must
strive to be saints. They must walk coura-
geously along the same paths trodden by
so many before them: apostolic labourers
for the Gospel who, while carrying out the
same ministry to which they themselves
now feel called, handed on such splendid
examples of virtue. They must wholly re-
nounce themselves, striving solely for the
glory of God, the good of the Church, and
the growth and salvation of souls. They
must constantly renew themselves in the
spirit of their vocation, living in a state of
habitual self-denial and seeking at all times
to reach the very summit of perfection. They
must work unremittingly to become hum-
ble, meek, obedient, lovers of poverty and
penance, mortified, free from inordinate
attachment to the world or to family, men
filled with zeal, ready to sacrifice goods, tal-
ents, ease, self, even their life, for the love
of Jesus Christ, the service of the Church,
3
and the sanctification of their brethren. And
thus, filled with unbounded confidence in
God, they are ready to enter the combat, to
fight, even unto death, for the greater glory
of his most holy and sublime Name.
How vast the field that lies before them!
How worthy and holy the undertaking! The
people are caught up in crass ignorance of
all that pertains to their salvation. The conse-
quence of their ignorance has been a weak-
ening of the faith and a corruption of morals
with all the licence which that inevitably en-
tails. Thus, it is supremely important, it is ur-
gently imperative, that we lead the multitude
of lost sheep back to the fold, that we teach
these degenerate Christians who Jesus Christ
is, that we rescue them from Satan’s power
and show them the way to eternal life. We
must spare no effort to extend the Saviour’s
empire and to destroy the dominion of hell.
We must check the manifold evils of sin and
establish the honoured observance of every
virtue. We must lead men to act like human
beings, first of all, and then like Christians,
and, finally, we must help them to become
saints.
Such are the great works of salvation that
can crown the efforts of priests whom God
has inspired with the desire to form them-
selves into a Society in order to work more

4
effectively for the salvation of souls and for
their own sanctification. To bring all this into
being, they must carry out their duty worthi-
ly, faithfully fulfilling their splendid vocation.
But it is not enough for them simply to be
convinced of the sublime nature of the min-
istry to which they have been called. The ex-
ample of the saints and reason itself make it
amply clear that the success of such a holy
undertaking as well as the maintenance of
discipline in any society make certain rules of
life absolutely necessary for unity of thought
and action among the members. Such unity is
a body’s strength, keeping up its fervour and
insuring that it lasts.
Wherefore, while pledging themselves
to all the works of zeal which priestly char-
ity can inspire – above all, to the work of the
missions, which is the main reason for their
union – these priests, joined together in a so-
ciety, resolve to obey the following Constitu-
tions and Rules; by living them they hope to
obtain all the benefits they need for their own
sanctification and for the salvation of souls.
(1825 Manuscript)

5
 What more sublime purpose
Co-workers with
the Saviour

than that of their Institute?

Their founder is Jesus Christ,
the very Son of God;
their first fathers are the Apostles.
They are called to be the Saviour’s co-workers, the
co-redeemers of mankind;
and even though, because
of their present small number
and the more urgent needs
of the people around them,
they have to limit the scope of their zeal,
for the time being,
to the poor of our countryside and others;
their ambition should,
in its holy aspirations,
embrace the vast expanse of the whole earth.

- 1818 -

6
 PART ONE
THE OBLATE CHARISM

Chapter One

Mission

1 The call of Jesus Christ, heard within the

Our call
Church through people’s need for salva-
tion, draws us together as Missionary Ob-
lates of Mary Immaculate. Christ thus invites
us to follow him and to share in his mission
through word and work.
We are a clerical Congregation of pontifical
right. We come together in apostolic commu-
nities of priests and Brothers, united to God
by the vows of religion. Cooperating with
the Saviour and imitating his example, we
commit ourselves principally to evangeliz-
ing the poor.

2 We are men “set apart for the Gospel”

To live
Christ Jesus

(Rom 1:1), men ready to leave every-

thing to be disciples of Jesus. The desire to
co-operate with him draws us to know him
more deeply, to identify with him, to let
him live in us.

7
 Like the Apostle, to preach
To preach
Christ crucified

“Jesus Christ, and him crucified...

not in loftiness of speech,
but in the showing of the Spirit,”
that is to say, by making manifest
that we have pondered in our hearts
the words which we proclaim,
and that we began to practice
before setting out to teach.

- 1826 -

Since the ministers of the Gospel

With Jesus on
the cross

will never reap

abundant fruit from their labours,
unless they hold in highest esteem,
and, so to speak, constantly bear about
in their own body the death sufferings of Jesus, the
members of our Society
will earnestly strive to keep their passions
in check and to deny their self-will in everything;
like the Apostle, they will glory
in their weaknesses, in insults,
persecutions and distress
endured for the sake of Christ.

- 1826 -

8
We strive to reproduce in ourselves the pat-
tern of his life. Thus, we give ourselves to
the Father in obedience even unto death and
dedicate ourselves to God’s people in unself-
ish love. Our apostolic zeal is sustained by
the unreserved gift we make of ourselves in
our oblation, an offering constantly renewed
by the challenges of our mission.

3 The community of the Apostles with Je-

In apostolic
community
sus is the model of our life. Our Lord
grouped the Twelve around him to be his
companions and to be sent out as his mes-
sengers (cf. Mk 3:14). The call and the pres-
ence of the Lord among us today bind us to-
gether in charity and obedience to create
anew in our own lives the Apostles’ unity
with him and their common mission in his
Spirit.

4 The cross of Jesus Christ is central to our

Jesus crucified
To live Christ

mission. Like the apostle Paul, we

“preach Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:
2). If we bear in our body the death of Jesus,
it is with the hope that the life of Jesus, too,
may be seen in our body (cf. 2 Cor 4:10).
Through the eyes of our crucified Saviour
we see the world which he redeemed with
his blood, desiring that those in whom he
continues to suffer will know also the power
of his resurrection (cf. Phil 3:10).

9
 5 We are a missionary Congregation. Our
Among the
most abandoned

principal service in the Church is to pro-

claim Christ and his Kingdom to the most
abandoned. We preach the Gospel among
people who have not yet received it and help
them see their own values in its light. Where
the Church is already established, our com-
mitment is to those groups it touches least.
Wherever we work, our mission is especially
to those people whose condition cries out for
salvation and for the hope which only Jesus
Christ can fully bring. These are the poor
with their many faces; we give them our
preference.

6 Our love for the Church inspires us to

In the Church

fulfil our mission in communion with the

pastors whom the Lord has given to his peo-
ple; we accept loyally, with an enlightened
faith, the guidance and teachings of the suc-
cessors of Peter and the Apostles.
We coordinate our missionary activity with
the overall pastoral plan of the local Church-
es where we work, and we collaborate in a
spirit of brotherhood with others who work
for the Gospel.
Our efforts will be characterized by a gen-
uine desire for unity with all who consider
themselves followers of Jesus, so that, ac-
cording to his prayer, all may believe that

10
the Father has sent him (cf. Jn 17:21). Finally,
in our hope for the coming of God’s reign,
we are united with all those who, without
acknowledging Christ as Lord, nevertheless
love what he loves.

7 As priests and Brothers, we have comple-

Proclaiming
the Word
mentary responsibilities in evangelizing.
We will spare no effort to awaken or to re-
awaken the faith in the people to whom we
are sent, and we will help them to discover
“who Christ is”. Our mission puts us on con-
stant call to respond to the most urgent needs
of the Church through various forms of wit-
ness and ministry, but especially through
proclaiming the Word of God which finds its
fulfilment in the celebration of the sacra-
ments and in service to others. We have as
our goal to establish Christian communities
and Churches deeply rooted in the local cul-
ture and fully responsible for their own de-
velopment and growth.
R 7a. Oblates are committed to missionary work
as members of the Congregation and of
their respective Provinces. All members are
to participate in the planning and orienta-
tion of the apostolate for which, however,
Superiors bear final responsibility.

R 7b. Preaching missions at home, mission to

youth, and sending missionaries abroad

11
 have been traditionally central to our
apostolate. There is no ministry, howev-
er, which is foreign to us, provided we
never lose sight of the Congregation’s
primary purpose: to evangelize the most
abandoned.

R 7c. Oblate Brothers share in the common

priesthood of Christ. They are called to
cooperate in their own way in reconciling
all things in him (cf. Col 1:20). Through
their religious consecration, they offer a
particular witness to a life inspired by the
Gospel.
Brothers participate in the missionary
work of building up the Church every-
where, especially in those areas where
the Word is first being proclaimed. Mis-
sioned by the Church, their technical,
professional or pastoral service, as well
as the witness of their life, constitute their
ministry of evangelization.

R 7d. Faithfulness to our Oblate vocation must

guide us in our missionary enterprises
and in accepting pastoral assignments.
Each Province will apply this concern as a
guideline in establishing its priorities and
in determining which ministries to accept
within its own boundaries. The same con-
cern will also serve as a criterion in the
periodic re-evaluation of our apostolic
commitments.

12
R 7e. The acceptance of a new Mission and the
approval of general contracts between a
Province and a local Ordinary pertain to
the Superior General in Council.
The approval of the Superior General
in Council is required for a Province to
take charge of a major seminary or edu-
cational institution, to assume a parish in
perpetuity, to accept some work which is
not customary among us, and also to re-
linquish any of the above. Proposals are
submitted by the Provincial in Council.

R 7f. We shall support lay people in the dis-

cernment and development of their own
talents and charisms, encouraging them
to undertake ministries and apostolic
commitments and thus to shoulder the
responsibilities which are properly theirs
in the Christian community.

R 7g. In proclaiming the Word, it is our tradition

to be simple and direct and to speak a lan-
guage adapted to and easily understood by
our hearers. In all our ministry, but especial-
ly in that of reconciliation, we will reflect the
understanding, patience and compassion of
the Saviour.

13
 To aim at elegance of style rather than to solidity of doctrine
Simplicity in
preaching

would go directly counter to the spirit of our Rule ...

Our one and only aim should be to instruct people ...
not only to break the bread of the Word for them but to
chew it for them as well; in a word, to insure that when our
discourses are over, they are not tempted to heap foolish
praise on what they have not understood, but, instead,
that they go back home edified, touched, instructed,
able to repeat in their own family circle
what they have learned from our mouth.

- 1818 -

Why has Jesus Christ... entrusted us with this word of

The ministry of
reconciliation

reconciliation, if not in order that it be effectively applied to

sinners ... and that they be truly reconciled with God?
“God has given us the ministry of reconciliation;
he, in Christ, reconciled the world to himself,
no longer reckoning mankind’s sins, but planting in us the
message of salvation. “Woe to the fainthearted minister ...
who would hide in the earth the talent which he has received
so that it may bear fruit, and who would shut off ...
this abundant fountain for the rebirth of souls which Jesus
Christ has put in him.

Let the missionaries always welcome sinners with an

inexhaustible charity, give them courage ...
by showing them an understanding heart; in a word,
treat them as they themselves would wish to be treated
if they were in their unfortunate condition.

- 1826 (and 1818) -

14
8 We will always be close to the people

With daring,
humility and trust
with whom we work, taking into account
their values and aspirations. To seek out new
ways for the Word of God to reach their
hearts often calls for daring; to present Gos-
pel demands in all clarity should never in-
timidate us. Awareness of our own short-
comings humbles us, yet God’s power makes
us confident as we strive to bring all people
– especially the poor – to full consciousness
of their dignity as human beings and as sons
and daughters of God.
R 8a. We will let our lives be enriched by the
poor and the marginalized as we work
with them, for they can make us hear in
new ways the Gospel we proclaim. We
must always be sensitive to the mentali-
ty of the people, drawing on the riches of
their culture and religious traditions.

9 We are members of the prophetic Church.

As prophets
of the new world

While recognizing our own need for con-

version, we bear witness to God’s holiness
and justice. We announce the liberating pres-
ence of Jesus Christ and the new world born
in his resurrection. We will hear and make
heard the clamour of the voiceless, which is
a cry to God who brings down the mighty
from their thrones and exalts the lowly (cf.
Lk 1:52). This prophetic mission is carried
out in communion with the Church, in con-

15
 formity with the directives of the hierarchy
and in dependence on our Superiors.
R 9a. Action on behalf of justice, peace and the
integrity of creation is an integral part of
evangelization.
Responding to the call of the Spirit, some
Oblates identify themselves with the
poor, sharing their life and commitment
to justice; others are present where de-
cisions affecting the future of the poor
are being made. In each case, a serious
discernment in the light of ecclesiastical
directives will be made and the Oblates
concerned will receive their mission for
this ministry from their Superiors.
Whatever their work, Oblates will collab-
orate, according to their vocation and by
every means compatible with the Gospel,
in changing all that is a cause of oppres-
sion and poverty. They thereby help to
create a society based on the dignity of
the human person created in the image of
God.

R 9b. In all our ministries, prophetic voices

must not be stifled. When they arise, they
will be heard, tested, and supported.

10 Mary Immaculate is patroness of our

With Mary
Immaculate

Congregation. Open to the Spirit, she

consecrated herself totally as lowly hand-
maid to the person and work of the Saviour.

16
She received Christ in order to share him
with all the world, whose hope he is. In her,
we recognize the model of the Church’s faith
and of our own.
We shall always look on her as our mother.
In the joys and sorrows of our missionary
life, we feel close to her who is the Mother of
Mercy. Wherever our ministry takes us, we
will strive to instil genuine devotion to the
Immaculate Virgin who prefigures God’s fi-
nal victory over all evil.

17
 Chapter Two

Apostolic Religious Life

11 Our mission is to proclaim the King-

The Kingdom
above all

dom of God and to seek it before all

else (cf. Mt 6: 33). We fulfil this mission in
community; and our communities are a sign
that, in Jesus, God is everything for us. To-
gether we await Christ’s coming in the full-
ness of his justice so that God may be all in
all (cf. 1 Cor 15:28).
Growing in faith, hope and love, we commit
ourselves to be a leaven of the Beatitudes at
the heart of the world.

SECTION ONE

The Evangelical Counsels

12 Our mission requires that, in a radical

Radical
discipleship

way, we follow Jesus who was chaste

and poor and who redeemed mankind by
his obedience. That is why, through a gift of
the Father, we choose the way of the evan-
gelical counsels.
Community is the life-giving reality fash-
ioned by the vows which binds us in love to
the Lord and to his people. Thus, we become
a living cell in the Church in which we strive

18
together to bring the grace of our Baptism to
its fullness.

13 Mary Immaculate, in her faith re-

Mary
our model
sponse and total openness to the call of
the Spirit, is the model and guardian of our
consecrated life.

Chastity

14 InChrist,
answer to a special invitation from
we choose consecrated celibacy
for the sake of the Kingdom (cf. Mt 19:12).

15 By this option we consecrate ourselves

A liberating
challenge
to the Lord and, at the same time, give
ourselves to the people we serve; we thereby
free ourselves for a love which reaches out to
everyone and challenge the tendency to pos-
sess and use others for selfish purposes.

This choice is also our way of giving witness

to the depth of the Church’s covenant with
Christ, her only Spouse, and to the spiritual
fruitfulness of her union with him. We live
our celibacy as a sign of the perfect chari-
ty which will be fully revealed only in the
Kingdom.

19
 16 Consecrated celibacy calls us to devel-
A call to love

op the riches of the heart. It is an affir-

mation of life and love; it expresses our total
gift of self to God and to others with all our
affection, with all the life-giving powers of
our being. Our celibacy allows us to be pres-
ent where the most urgent needs are to be
found, to give witness as a group to the Fa-
ther’s love for us and to our enduring love
for him.

17 Inchoose
our religious consecration, we
The vow

by vow to remain celibate and

to live chastely.

18 We will find our support in friendship

Fidelity in
loving

and in fraternal life, in apostolic com-

mitment to all, in self-denial and in prayer.
R 18a. In living their consecration, Oblates will
endeavour to help each other to grow in
maturity. Aware of their own frailty, they
will seek spiritual direction and exercise
self-discipline.

R 18b. Sincere friendship can foster the growth

of an apostolic person, enabling one to
love others as Jesus loves them. Develop-
ing this gift of love more and more, the
Oblate will devote himself to others in
frank and honest affection, without being
either fearful or rash.

20
 In his relationships, he will keep in mind
the customs of the country and the sen-
sitivities of the people among whom he
lives and works.

R 18c. As the generous example of married or

single lay persons often inspires us, Ob-
lates in turn, by their own genuine af-
fection and fidelity, will inspire them to
faithfulness in the face of their struggles
and difficulties.

21
 “If you wish to be perfect, says our Lord,
Apostolic
poverty

sell what you have.”

The first Christians followed
that counsel faithfully to the letter.
They still had fresh before them
the example of their divine Master,
who chose to be born in a stable
and to die upon a cross,
after having lived deprived of everything,
for he was without the small coin needed
to pay Caesar’s tribute,
and did not even have a place to rest his head.

Since it is our aim in the Institute

to follow in the footsteps
of those first Christians,
we have more than enough reason ...
for resolving to embrace this fundamental point
of religious life and perfection.

... Since covetousness is among the vices

that do most damage to the Church,
our Institute’s spirit, which is one
of atonement, leads us in some way
to offer to God the compensation for this vice,
by adopting voluntary poverty
as the saints have practised it before us.

- 1818 (and 1859) -

22
 Poverty

19 We follow a Master who became poor

Poor like Jesus

for our sake. “If you wish to be per-
fect,” he said, “go and sell what you own
and give the money to the poor... Then come,
follow me” (Mt 19:21). In answer to his call,
we choose evangelical poverty.

20 Our choice of poverty compels us to

With his poor

enter into a closer communion with Je-
sus and with the poor, to contest the excesses
of power and wealth and to proclaim the
coming of a new world freed from selfish-
ness and open to sharing.
When faced with the demands of our mis-
sion and the needs to be met, we may feel
weak and helpless. It is then that we can
learn from the poor, especially making our
own their patience, hope and solidarity.

21 The Spirit prompted the first Christians

Collective
witness

to share everything. Under the influ-

ence of that same Spirit, we hold all things in
common. Our members adopt a simple life-
style, remembering that it is essential for our
religious institute to give collective witness
to evangelical detachment.
We are to avoid all luxury, all appearance of
luxury, all immoderate gain and accumula-

23
 tion of possessions. Subject to the common
law of labour, and each in his own way con-
tributing to the support of the community
and its apostolate, we gladly accept the fact
of not having at our disposal the comforts
we might like.

22 By our vow of poverty, we commit

The vow

ourselves to a life of voluntary poverty.

We renounce the right to use and to dispose
lawfully, on our own authority, of anything
of monetary value.
All we acquire either through our personal
industry or through the work of the Institute
belongs to the community. Likewise, any-
thing we receive as a pension, title to which
has been acquired after first religious com-
mitment, or as a subsidy, or from insurance
and other benefits, excepting what comes to
us by way of inheritance, belongs to the Con-
gregation.
R 22a. Since the community’s possessions may be
considered the patrimony of the poor, they
will be administered carefully. The com-
munity, however, placing its trust in divine
Providence, will not hesitate to make use of
what it has, even of what is necessary for its
sustenance, to benefit God’s poor.

R 22b. Each Province will determine how the

goods of its communities are to be admin-

24
 istered and how the day-to-day needs of
the members in their life and apostolate
are to be met.

R 22c. The houses and Provinces will be solici-

tous in sharing their resources with Ob-
lates working in poorer areas and in mis-
sions with fewer material goods.

23 Before his first commitment, a candi-

Personal
patrimony
date entrusts the administration of his
property and possessions to a person, or per-
sons, of his choice; and he freely determines
how they and their revenue will be used.
Prior to making perpetual vows, each Oblate
will make a civilly valid will disposing of his
present and future possessions.
Any change in these arrangements, as well
as any other decision concerning an Oblate’s
personal patrimony, requires the permission
of the Major Superior. In an emergency, a
will can be modified with the permission of
the local Superior.
With the permission of the Superior General,
a perpetually professed Oblate may divest
himself of his present and future possessions.

R 23a. If, after making first commitment, an Oblate

acquires property by way of inheritance,

25
 The saints regard this vow
The vow of
obedience

as the most important and essential of all ...

By the vow of obedience
more is offered to God than by the other vows ...
The closer something approaches
the end for which it was made,
the more perfect it is;
and since it is obedience which brings
the religious more closely in union
with the purpose of his Institute,
it is also the most perfect of the vows.
Obedience is the most meritorious of the virtues; it is
the bond of union
in every well-ordered society;
indeed, the continuance
of even the best constituted bodies
depends of its faithful observance.
To produce such great good, however,
it must be the kind of obedience
which the saints have practised and prescribed for
others in the various Institutes
with which they have enriched the Church.
... Obedience in our Institute
will be prompt, humble, complete.

In following the directives of superiors

let our members keep
before their eyes God himself,
for it is out of love for him that they obey
and to him alone that they submit
in the person of their superiors.

- 1826 (and 1818) -

26
 he will freely appoint an administrator and
will determine who will use such property
and its income.
In determining how his personal patri-
mony is to be used, an Oblate may stipu-
late that any income produced therefrom
may be added regularly to the capital.
All such arrangements are null if an Ob-
late leaves the Congregation. A clause to
this effect will be added to the document.

R 23b. The Superior General may delegate to the

other Major Superiors of the Congrega-
tion, with the consent of their respective
Councils, authority to permit an Oblate to
divest himself, in whole or in part, of his
patrimonial property.

Obedience

24 Christ’s food was “to do the will of the

Attentive to the
Father’s will

one who sent him” (Jn 4:34). He “be-

came obedient unto death, even death on the
cross” (Phil 2:8). Called to follow Jesus, we
too listen attentively for the Father’s voice
so that we may spend ourselves without re-
serve to accomplish his plan of salvation.

27
 25 By obedience, we become the servants
Living the freedom
of the Gospel

of all. Challenging the spirit of domi-

nation, we stand as a sign of that new world
wherein persons recognize their close inter-
dependence. Religious obedience is our way
of making real the freedom of the Gospel, in
common submission to God’s will (cf. Gal
5:13).
Our life is governed by the demands of our
apostolic mission and by the calls of the
Spirit already dwelling in those to whom we
are sent. Our work makes us dependent on
others in many ways; it requires real detach-
ment from our own will and a deep sense of
the Church.

26 As individuals and as a community,

Obedience and
initiative

we have the responsibility to seek the

will of God. Decisions which express this
will are best reached after community dis-
cernment and prayer.
In the Superior, we will see a sign of our uni-
ty in Christ Jesus; through faith, we accept
the authority he has been given. We will give
our loyal support once a decision has been
made and, in a spirit of cooperation and ini-
tiative, we will devote our talents, our activi-
ty, our very lives, to our apostolic mission in
the Church.

28
Any new undertaking which involves seri-
ous commitment on the part of the Congre-
gation should be submitted to the competent
religious Superior before proposing it to ec-
clesiastical or secular authorities.
Likewise, before an Oblate accepts any new
or additional tasks offered by ecclesiastical
superiors or by others, he will ask permis-
sion from his own Superior.
In order to publish writings dealing with
questions of religion or morals, an Oblate
needs, besides the permission of the local
Ordinary if required by universal law, also
the permission of the Provincial or the Supe-
rior of the Delegation.
R 26a. In major decisions and in matters con-
cerning the life and mission of the whole
community, there will be a process of dis-
cernment conducive to consensus.
R 26b. Superiors will consult those who are to be
appointed to new responsibilities, giving
them an opportunity to express their own
views. While respecting the requirements
of the common good, they will take an in-
dividual’s personal gifts and callings into
consideration before a decision is made.

27 By our vow of obedience, we assume

The vow

the obligation to obey the Holy Father

and our lawful Superiors in any matter per-

29
 taining directly or indirectly to the obser-
vance of the Constitutions and Rules. The
vow binds gravely when we receive from
our Superior an order expressly given in the
name of obedience.

28 Members will conform their lives and

Rule of life

their missionary activities to the Con-

stitutions and Rules of the Congregation.
They will make them the object of their re-
flection in prayer and fraternal sharing.

Perseverance

29 Jesus “always loved those who were

A sign
of fidelity

his own in the world,” and to the very

end “he showed how perfect his love was”
(Jn 13:1). His Spirit inspires all Christians to
constancy in their love. The same Spirit de-
velops in us a close attachment to the Con-
gregation. Our perseverance is thus a sign of
Christ’s fidelity to the Father.
We will help each other find joy and fulfil-
ment in our community life and in our apos-
tolate, supporting one another in our resolu-
tion to be faithful to the Congregation, what-
ever the circumstances which could provoke
its dispersal or tempt us to withdraw from it.

30
30 Although the determination to perse-

The vow
vere is already included in the three
vows made and received in the Congrega-
tion, we add a vow of perseverance, thereby
publicly attesting our attachment to our reli-
gious family and our definitive commitment
to its mission.

31
 The missionaries ought,
To become another
Jesus Christ

as far as the weakness

of human nature allows,
to imitate in everything
the example of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the chief founder of the Society,
and that of his Apostles, our first fathers.
In imitation of these great models,
one portion of their life will be given over
to prayer, interior recollection and contemplation
in the privacy of God’s house,
wherein they will dwell together in common.
The other portion will be entirely consecrated
to outside works requiring
the most active zeal such as missions,
preaching, confessions, catechizing,
directing young people,
visiting the sick and prisoners,
giving spiritual retreats
and other similar exercises.
However, their chief concern will be,
as much when out on missions as when in the house,
to make progress in the paths of ecclesiastical and
religious perfection; they will especially cultivate the
virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, self-denial,
the spirit of mortification, the spirit of faith, purity
of intention, and others; in a word, they will strive
to become other Christs, radiating everywhere the
fragrance of his lovable virtues.

- 1818 -

32
 SECTION TWO

Living in Faith

31 We achieve unity in our life only in and

Unity of life
through Jesus Christ. Our ministry in-
volves us in a variety of tasks, yet each act
in life is an occasion for personal encounter
with the Lord, who through us gives himself
to others and through others gives himself
to us.
While maintaining within ourselves an at-
mosphere of silence and inner peace, we
seek his presence in the hearts of the people
and in the events of daily life as well as in
the Word of God, in the sacraments and in
prayer. We are pilgrims, walking with Jesus
in faith, hope and love.

32 Itin istheasvarious
missionaries that we worship,
Our life a
prayer

ways the Spirit suggests

to us. We come before him bearing with us
the daily pressures of our anxiety for those
to whom he sends us (cf. 2 Cor 11:28). Our
life in all its dimensions is a prayer that, in us
and through us, God’s kingdom come.

33 The Eucharist, source and summit of

Spiritual
resources

the Church’s life, is at the heart of our

life and action. We will live such lives as to be
able worthily to celebrate it every day. As we
33
participate in its celebration with all our being,
we offer ourselves with Jesus the Saviour; we
are renewed in the mystery of our cooperation
with him, drawing the bonds of our apostolic
community ever closer and opening the hori-
zons of our zeal to all the world. In gratitude for
this great Eucharistic gift, we will seek the Lord
often in his sacramental presence.
The Word of God nourishes our spiritual life
and apostolate. We will not only study it dil-
igently but also develop a listening heart, so
that we may come to a deeper knowledge of
the Saviour whom we love and wish to reveal
to the world. This immersion in God’s Word
will enable us to understand better the events
of history in the light of faith.
The Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the
Church, the spouse of Christ. In it, we praise
the Father for his wonderful works and invoke
his blessing on our mission. Each community
will ordinarily celebrate part of the Hours in
common. Where possible, the faithful will be
invited to join us in this public prayer of the
Church.
In the prolonged silent prayer we make each
day, we let ourselves be moulded by the Lord
and find in him the inspiration of our conduct.
Following our tradition, we devote an hour
each day to mental prayer, part of which is

34
spent together in the presence of the Blessed
Sacrament.
Examination of conscience is important in help-
ing us become aware of the ways in which the
Lord calls and is present to us throughout the
day. In this examen, we evaluate the faithful-
ness of our response to him. Charged with pro-
claiming the joy of God’s pardon to the world
and acknowledging our own sinfulness, we
will have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of
Reconciliation.

R 33a. New forms of personal and community

prayer can help Oblates encounter the
Lord; they will welcome them with dis-
cernment and accept the challenges they
present.

R 33b. Each member is invited to seek the coun-

sel and support of a spiritual director in
order to discern God’s action in his life
and to grow through his personal and ap-
ostolic experiences and difficulties.

R 33c. Living conditions which favour inner

recollection and a personal rhythm of
life which permits regular and even daily
prayer are indispensable for the spiritual
growth of an apostolic man. Each Oblate,
with the help of his Superior or spiritual
director, will give due attention to these

35
 aspects of his life, since both effectiveness
in ministry and progress in religious life
depend on them.

34 Faith moves us to accept for love of the

Suffering and
penance

crucified Lord our personal sufferings,

the various trials of the ministry and the
daily demands of community life (cf. 2 Cor
12:10). Moreover, we will heed the invitation
of the Lord when he calls us to practice other
forms of voluntary penance.

35 To put ourselves increasingly at the

Times of
renewal

service of God in his people, we will

set aside special times each month and each
year for deeper personal and community
prayer, for reflection and renewal. One week
each year will be spent in retreat. Fraternal
gatherings and an exchange on apostolic ex-
periences could well precede or follow the
retreat.

36 With Mary Immaculate, the faithful

In union
with Mary

handmaid of the Lord, and under the

guidance of the Spirit, we enter into closer
union with Jesus Christ. We will contem-
plate with her the mysteries of the Incarnate
Word, especially in praying the rosary.

36
 SECTION THREE

The Apostolic Community

37 We fulfil our mission in and through

Community
and Mission
the community to which we belong.
Our communities, therefore, are apostolic in
character.
The Founder left us a legacy: “Among your-
selves practice charity, charity, charity – and,
outside, zeal for the salvation of souls.” In fi-
delity to that testament, each member’s zeal
is sustained by the bonds of fraternal charity.
By growing in unity of heart and mind, we
bear witness before the world that Jesus lives
in our midst and unites us in order to send
us out to proclaim God’s reign.
R 37a. The charism of Saint Eugene de Mazenod
is a gift of the Spirit to the Church, and it
radiates throughout the world. Lay peo-
ple recognize that they are called to share
in the charism according to their state of
life, and to live it in ways that vary accord-
ing to milieu and cultures. They share in
the charism in a spirit of communion and
reciprocity amongst themselves and with
the Oblates.

37
 Those of the Society who are most advanced
Obedience and
community

in years and highest in dignity

ought to be models of every virtue,
but above all of obedience,
the chief bond of our unity
and essential principle
of our continued existence.
- 1821 -

They will bear with one another

Fraternal
charity

in much patience and meekness,

and strive to outdo one another
in rendering service
and joyfully practising charity.
Each will avoid whatever may wound
his brothers and will gladly yield
to the wishes of others,
so that the peace of God
and the charity of Christ
may abide in them.
They will love each other
and show mutual respect
and deference for one another.

- 1826 -

38
 In order to live more intensely the mis-
sion of evangelization according to the
Oblate charism, some lay people gather
in associations. In concert with the Gen-
eral Administration, Provinces and Del-
egations will foster the development of
such associations, will assure that they
faithfully reflect the Oblate charism, will
contribute to the formation of the laity by
giving them access to the sources of the
charism, and will specify the relations be-
tween the Congregation and the associa-
tions. In this regard, the General Admin-
istration takes the initiatives that it judges
opportune to promote communication
between Provinces and Delegations and
a common outlook in the Congregation.
As an initial step, each unit will submit
to the Superior General for approval its
criteria for the recognition of associations.

R 37b. Faithful to Oblate tradition, the commu-

nities will have their heart set on promot-
ing the Missionary Association of Mary
Immaculate for the formation of lay peo-
ple and participation in Oblate spirituali-
ty and apostolate.

R 37c. Several religious and secular institutes

have links to the Congregation because of
their origin or because of their spirituali-
ty. Each Province or Delegation will seek
to strengthen those spiritual bonds, and,
if possible, to establish concrete forms of

39
 apostolic cooperation, with all due re-
spect for the autonomy of these institutes.

38 Obedience and charity bind us togeth-

interdependence
Fraternal

er, priests and Brothers, keeping us

interdependent in our lives, and missionary
activity, even when, dispersed for the sake of
the Gospel, we can benefit only occasionally
from life in common.
Each community will adopt a program of
life and prayer best suited to its purpose and
apostolate. Once set up, such a program is en-
trusted to the vigilance of the Superior; regu-
lar meetings will be held to praise and thank
the Lord, to assess the community’s life, to
renew its spirit and strengthen its unity.
R 38a. Any new forms of community living, de-
veloped in response to special missionary
needs, will begin in dialogue and be peri-
odically reviewed at the local and provin-
cial levels.

39 Amarks
spirit of simplicity and joyfulness
Fraternal
sharing

our communities. In sharing

what we are and what we have with one an-
other, we find acceptance and support. Each
of us offers his friendship and places his
God-given talents at the service of all. This
enriches our spiritual life, our intellectual
development and our apostolic activity.

40
In humility and with the strength of charity,
we express our responsibility for each other
in fraternal correction and forgiveness.
R 39a. Apostolic works and the demands of au-
thentic religious life will be the determin-
ing factors in the design and furnishing of
our houses, as well as in the community’s
lifestyle and means of support.
R 39b. The community will provide its members
with opportunities for recreation, rest
and relaxation. Important events in the
Oblate family and in the life of the com-
munity members will be celebrated in a
simple and cordial way.
Communities will welcome any Oblates
who come to visit. They will be especially
hospitable to missionaries returning tem-
porarily or permanently to their Province
of origin.

40 Whatever the demands of our ministry,

Together
in prayer
one of the more intense moments in
the life of an apostolic community is the time
spent praying together. One in spirit with
those who are absent, we turn to the Lord
to praise him, seek his will, beg forgiveness
and ask for the strength to serve him better.

41 Our communities seek to radiate the

Oblate
hospitality

warmth of the Gospel to those around

us. Our houses, therefore, while reserving
certain sections to the community, are char-
acterized by a special sense of hospitality.
41
 Were anyone tempted to regard these Rules as too
Community life
and the apostolate

severe for our human nature,

we beseech him in the Lord to consider
1. that our ministry will be forever fruitless unless we
fervently strive for our own spiritual advancement;
2. that we shall never attain the high purpose of our
vocation without the help of these observances, which
have been deemed indispensable by all the fathers of
the spiritual life, and especially by the holy founders of
religious orders;
3. that since missions and retreats necessarily cast us
into the world’s milieu for three fourths of the year,
in order to busy ourselves there mainly and almost
exclusively with the conversion of sinners, we run the
risk of forgetting our own needs, if we do not, at least
in the brief intervals of this perilous ministry, return to
the precise observance of the Rule.
If then, we have at heart our highest happiness and
do not wish to risk being ourselves cast away after
we have preached to others, so far from experiencing
repugnance at submitting ourselves to such an
excellent observance, let us rather sincerely regret
that the duties laid on us by charity remove us for
such long periods and so frequently from the corps
of our communities where it reigns, and deprive us,
against our desire and for a great part of our life,
of the benefits of its salutary influence.

- 1825 -

42
R 41a. Oblate houses and hearts are open to all
who seek help and counsel. Priests and
religious are always welcome; and other
evangelical workers will be received so
that they may share the bread of friend-
ship, faith, reflection and prayer. At the
same time, the community will also re-
spect its members’ needs and their right
to privacy.

42 Our members in distress, those who

Care and
concern
are sick or the aged among us, contrib-
ute greatly to the coming of God’s Kingdom.
We will be particularly concerned for them
and will surround them with all the affec-
tion that binds us together as members of the
same family.

43 We will keep alive the memory of our

deceased and not fail to pray for them,
our deceased
Remembering
faithfully offering the suffrages prescribed
on their behalf (cf. Appendix).

44 Ifgation
an Oblate wants to leave the Congre-
Separation

or if, for a serious reason, the

Congregation is obliged to dissociate itself
from certain members, it will do so only after
all means of correction and conciliation have
been exhausted. In such instances, it will act
in great charity and in accordance with the
canonical norms, respecting all the demands
of equity.
43
 Whoever wishes to become one of us
The Oblate
ideal

must have an ardent desire

for his own perfection,
and be enflamed with love
for our Lord Jesus Christ and his Church
and a burning zeal for the salvation of souls.
He must free his heart
from every disorderly affection
for things on earth,
and from excessive attachment
to parents and native land;
he must have no desire for money,
but will rather look upon riches
as so much rubbish so as to seek
no gain other than Jesus Christ;
his desire must be to commit himself
to the exclusive service of God
and of the Church,
whether in the Missions
or in the other ministries
of the Congregation.
Finally, he must have
the will to persevere unto death
in fidelity and obedience
to the Rules of the Institute.

- 1853 -

44
 PART TWO

FORMATION

45 Jesus personally formed the disciples

Gospel
origin
he had chosen, initiating them into
“the mystery of the Kingdom of God” (Mk
4:11). As a preparation for their mission he
had them share in his ministry; to confirm
their zeal he sent them his Spirit.
This same Spirit forms Christ in those who
endeavour to follow in the Apostles’ foot-
steps. As they enter more deeply into the
mystery of the Saviour and his Church, he
moves them to dedicate themselves to the
evangelization of the poor.

Chapter One

A Community Process

46 The goal of the formation process is

Basic aim

that each of us become an apostolic

man, capable of living the Oblate charism.
Inspired by the example of Mary, we live in
creative and ongoing fidelity our personal
commitment to Jesus Christ, while serving
the Church and God’s Kingdom.

45
 47 Formation is a process which aims at
Ongoing
conversion

the integral growth of a person and

lasts a lifetime. It enables us to accept our-
selves as we are and develop into the persons
we are called to be. Formation involves us in
an ever-renewed conversion to the Gospel
and a readiness to learn and to change in re-
sponse to new demands.
R 47a. The proclamation of the Word to all peo-
ples requires a deep rooting of the faith in
their respective cultures. While formation
opens the Oblate to an appreciation of all
cultures, it will especially help him to be
formed in and through the authentic val-
ues of the people among whom he lives
and works.

48 Oblate formation takes place in the

A community
process

context of an apostolic community.

We are all involved in a process of mutual
evangelization, supporting one another in a
healing and empowering way. Together, we
create an atmosphere of freedom and mutu-
al trust in which we call each other to an ever
deeper commitment.

49 Formation is vital to the life and mis-

Mutual
responsibility

sion of the Congregation and is, there-

fore, entrusted to the care and vigilance of
the Superior General. In the Province, it is
the Provincial’s special responsibility; but to

46
be effective, formation requires the collabo-
ration of all, individuals and communities.
Each of us, moreover, is the principal agent
of his own development; throughout life’s
various stages, we are called to respond gen-
erously to the promptings of the Spirit.
R 49a. The Superior General in Council estab-
lishes the general norms for Oblate for-
mation and designates a member of the
Council to be responsible for formation
in the Congregation. The appointee will
assist Oblate educators, provincial au-
thorities and regional conferences for for-
mation. He will promote an exchange of
ideas and experiences at the regional lev-
el. From time to time, he will also sponsor
discussions on specific themes of interest
to the whole Congregation.

R 49b. A General Formation Committee consist-

ing of at least one Oblate from each Re-
gion and presided over by the person in
charge of formation at the general level,
meets periodically to study questions re-
lating to vocations and formation and to
make recommendations to the Superior
General and his Council.

R 49c. The Provincial in council appoints those

responsible for formation. When neces-
sary he specifies their various respon-
sibilities; he will not easily disband a
well-functioning team.

47
R 49d. A formation committee helps the Pro-
vincial. Among other activities, the com-
mittee will prepare and keep up to date
a provincial Formation Directory which
clearly presents principles and provides
for organization, methods and concrete
programs. The Directory should take into
account the cultures, educational systems
and pastoral needs of the country, the di-
rectives of the respective episcopal con-
ferences, and also the missionary tasks
for which the candidates prepare them-
selves. It will be submitted to the Superi-
or General for approval.

R 49e. For better understanding and mutual en-

richment, there will be constant contact
and cooperation among initial and ongo-
ing formation teams and Oblates engaged
in other ministries.
The formation personnel in a Province
will meet regularly to ensure unity in for-
mation and better coordination between
the various stages. Regional meetings
may be arranged from time to time, with
the agreement and encouragement of the
Provincials concerned.
Provinces will cooperate with each other
regarding common formation programs
and the sharing of personnel.

48
 Chapter Two

Initial Formation

50 The purpose of initial formation is to

Growth and
maturity
develop gradually those whom Jesus
calls to total discipleship in the Congrega-
tion, until they are mature religious, capable
of carrying on the Oblate mission. This re-
quires an assimilation in faith of all the di-
mensions of our vocation, especially of Gos-
pel poverty, celibate love and availability for
missionary service.

51 As disciples of the same Lord, the for-

Formation team
mation personnel along with those in
formation make up one community. While
remaining close to the candidates, the forma-
tors constitute a nucleus at the heart of the
formation community. They have a specific
responsibility to the Church and the Congre-
gation as well as to the candidates.
Oblate formators are attentive to the ways
grace moves those who are in formation. In
a challenging and encouraging way, they ac-
company them in their integral development
as persons, in their spiritual growth and in
the ongoing discernment of their Oblate vo-
cation.

49
 United in charity
Formation team

and being one mind

they will, as is only just,
assist the Superior in the progress
of the undertaking
by an identity of aim and action,
fearing that by following
their own personal views
they may make mistakes
and hinder the general good.

They will labour without ceasing

to form Christ in the clerics,
doing so with the assistance
of his Immaculate Mother, the Virgin Mary,
to whose protection
they will teach their students
to have confident recourse in everything.

- 1853 -

50
R 51a. Sound judgment, an understanding of
persons, a community spirit and apostolic
zeal must characterize Oblate formation
personnel. They should be noted for a life
of deep faith and prayer and for their love
of the Congregation. The living tradition
of the Church and the needs of the world
today will guide them in their work.
Even though otherwise qualified, they
should be competent in spiritual theolo-
gy and the art of direction. Appropriate
involvement in pastoral ministry will
provide an apostolic orientation in the
formation they impart.
Every Province will assure the adequate
preparation of its formation personnel.

R 51b. Before admitting a candidate to the novi-

tiate or to religious commitment, or when
deciding to present him for Orders, the
Provincial will give careful consideration
to the recommendations of the formation
team.

R 51c. During their first formation, aspirants and

young Oblates are encouraged to keep in
close contact with the cultural values of
the milieu from which they came. This
will permit them to see themselves in the
light of their heritage and to deepen their
understanding of their Oblate missionary
vocation.

51
 SECTION ONE
Discovering and Fostering Vocations

52 Jesus never ceases to call people to fol-

Christ calls
through us

low him and to proclaim the Kingdom.

Some are drawn to answer that call through
the joy and generosity of our lives. We must
lose no opportunity to let people see how
urgent are the needs of the Church and the
world and come to know the way in which
our Congregation responds to those needs.
We will also pray and have others pray that
the Lord send labourers into his harvest.

53 Christian families, youth groups and

“Come
and see”

Christian communities, whether parish

or other, provide a favourable environment
for the growth of vocations. Many young
people discover there the person of Jesus
and feel the attraction of his message. There,
too, they begin to exercise their gifts for lead-
ership and ministry. It is primarily in such
settings, then, that we ought to help youth
discover their vocation and to accompany
them in their spiritual journey. Our houses
will welcome those who wish to “come and
see” and thus experience at firsthand what
Oblate life is like. In a brotherly way we will
help them discern what the Lord expects of
them and what special grace he offers them
in his Church.
52
R 53a. The apostolate of vocations concerns all
Oblates individually and as a group. In
cooperation with pontifical and diocesan
works, members of the Congregation will
foster vocations, whether Oblate or other.
In each Province a vocation director or a
vocation team will coordinate collective
efforts.
R 53b. Where minor seminaries or residences for
youth are considered useful for awaken-
ing or nurturing vocations, they will be
established or maintained.

54 Candidates showing signs of an Ob-

Prenovitiate
experience
late vocation will benefit from an ap-
propriate program, prior to the novitiate, in
an Oblate community. The goals of such an
experience are to help them achieve the per-
sonal and Christian maturity necessary for a
fruitful novitiate and to assess their suitabil-
ity for our way of life.
R 54a. The Pre-novitiate is a time in which the
Congregation will ascertain the candi-
date’s readiness for the novitiate. The
Pre-novitiate will help pre-novices to dis-
cern and purify their motives for entering
religious life. The program will also offer
them an experience of Oblate life in its
mission to evangelize the poor. Forma-
tors at this level will assess the pre-nov-
ice’s capacity to live and work in a reli-
gious community.
53
 R 54b. The Pre-novitiate is the first stage of ini-
tial formation. Its director is appointed by
the Major Superior in Council and con-
firmed by the Superior General in Coun-
cil. He will work with a qualified team
of formators. The program is established
by the Provincial according to the norms
for formation. Its length is not to be less
than six months. All candidates must go
through such a program.

R 54c. In addition to canonical requirements for

novitiate, candidates should give proof
of maturity consistent with their age and
have a satisfactory knowledge of Chris-
tian teaching. They should show signs of
a constancy of faith and Christian life, of
love for the poor and an aptitude for com-
munity living.

SECTION TWO
The Novitiate

55 The novitiate is the candidate’s time

Initiation to
religious life

of initiation into Oblate religious life

and leads to his public commitment in the
Congregation. The Provincial admits candi-
dates to the novitiate. Under the guidance
of the Novice Master, the novice comes to
grasp the meaning of religious consecration.
He can thus discern the Lord’s call and, in
prayer, make himself ready to respond.
54
56 The novice, led by the Spirit living

Spiritual
growth
within him, develops his personal re-
lationship with Jesus and gradually enters
into the mystery of Salvation through litur-
gy and prayer. He becomes accustomed to
listen to the Lord in Scripture, to meet him in
the Eucharist and to recognize him in other
persons and in events. He comes also to con-
template God at work in the life and mission
of the Founder, as well as in the Congrega-
tion’s history and traditions. Opportunities
for pastoral experience in an Oblate setting
help him realize the demands of a mission-
ary vocation and the unity of apostolic reli-
gious life.
R 56a. Life in community, with its joys and ten-
sions, its spirit of charity and mutual sup-
port, will help novices identify with the
Oblate family and will initiate them into
the self-denial which is part of apostolic
religious life.

R 56b. Novices should adopt a simple style of

life that will make them sensitive to the
needs of people, especially the poor.

57 The Novice Master is in charge of for-

The Novice
Master

mation in the novitiate. He must be an

Oblate in perpetual vows. He is appointed
by the Provincial in Council, and this ap-
pointment must be approved by the Superi-
or General in Council.

55
 R 57a. The Novice Master is helped by qualified
assistants who work as a team with him.
They will be freed from all other ministry
which could impede them from fulfilling
their responsibilities. The Novice Master
answers directly to the Provincial in ev-
erything that concerns the novices.

58 Inlastorder to be valid, the novitiate must

Length of
novitiate

twelve months. These are spent in

the novitiate community.
The Major Superior can authorize one or
more supplementary periods in the active
apostolate outside of the novitiate commu-
nity in order to complete the novices’ for-
mation. In any case, the novitiate cannot last
longer than two years. Absences from the
novitiate house will be judged according to
the Church’s common law.
R 58a. An authentic document, dated and
signed by the novice and the person who
presided at his admission, will attest to
the beginning of the novitiate.

R 58b. The location of the novitiate is deter-

mined by the Provincial in Council and
approved by the Superior General in
Council. A written decree from the Su-
perior General in Council is required for
the establishing, the transfer and the sup-
pression of a novitiate.

56
 SECTION THREE
Religious Commitment

59 Novitiate formation ends with a free

A visible sign
of love
and faith-filled commitment in the Ob-
late Congregation. The novice, having expe-
rienced the Father’s love in Jesus, dedicates
his life to making that love visible. He en-
trusts his fidelity to the one whose cross he
shares, whose promises are his hope.
R 59a. If, at the end of the novitiate, there still re-
mains some doubt about a novice’s suit-
ability, the Provincial may prolong the
period of novitiate, but not for more than
six months.
For a just cause, the Provincial can permit
the anticipation of first commitment, but
not beyond fifteen days.

60 Temporary commitment is made by

Commitment

annual vows according to the norms

prescribed by the Rules.
After a period lasting at least three years, and
ordinarily not more than six, an Oblate may
request admission to perpetual vows. In cer-
tain cases, the Major Superior can prolong
the time of temporary commitment but not
so that it lasts longer than nine years. Within
these limits, and according to the Church’s

57
common law, an Oblate can ask to make per-
petual vows when he feels ready.
R 60a. Temporary vows are made for one year
at a time. Annual vows are to be under-
stood as extending until the date of the
subsequent profession which, at the dis-
cretion of the Superiors, may be antici-
pated or deferred but not by more than
three months. If, however, the profession
is deferred, a religious who does not wish
to renew his vows may lawfully leave at
the end of twelve months. Perpetual pro-
fession may be made only after the com-
pletion of three full years of temporary
vows, but can, for a just cause, be antic-
ipated or deferred by a period of up to
three months.

R 60b. An Oblate who, during the time of his

temporary profession, asks to depart
from the Congregation, can be granted an
indult to leave by the Superior General in
Council.

R 60c. If the period of temporary commitment is

to be extended beyond six years, the Pro-
vincial determines how long it is to last,
after having heard the opinion of the for-
mation personnel and considered the le-
gitimate desires of the Oblate concerned.
A member who feels unjustly excluded
from renewal of temporary commitment

58
 may appeal to the Superior General in
Council.

R 60d. Preparation for first commitment is made

by a retreat of at least five days duration.
A shorter retreat may serve to prepare
for renewal of temporary commitment.
Perpetual Oblation is preceded by a more
intense period of spiritual preparation.

61 The Provincial in Council admits to

Admission
vows, whether temporary or perpet-
ual. Admission to perpetual vows requires
for validity the confirmation of the Superior
General in Council.
Commitment in the Congregation is re-
ceived by the Superior General in virtue of
his office or by his delegate as determined in
the Rules.
R 61a. The following may receive vows in the
name of the Congregation, as delegates
of the Superior General: Major Superi-
ors, local Superiors and their respective
substitutes (cf. CC 77, 84; R 83e), and, by
explicit delegation from one of the above
any Oblate who is perpetually professed,
or, exceptionally, a priest who is not an
Oblate.

59
 62 The form used to take vows is the fol-
Oblation

lowing:
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the
presence of the Most Holy Trinity, of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, of Saint Eugene de Ma-
zenod and all my brothers here assembled,
and before you, Father (N.N.), (delegate of
the) Superior General, and holding in my
regard the place of God, I, (N.N.) profess,
promise to God and vow chastity, poverty,
and obedience for life (for one year).
I also vow perseverance until death (for one
year) in the holy Institute and Society of the
Missionary Oblates of the most Holy and
Immaculate Virgin Mary. So help me God.
Amen.
If a candidate, in agreement with his Supe-
rior, prefers to express his vows different-
ly, the following essential elements must be
kept:
Before you, Father (N.N.), (delegate of the)
Superior General, I, (N.N.), vow chastity,
poverty and obedience for life (for one year).
I also vow perseverance until death (for one
year) in the Congregation of the Missionary
Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

60
63 The Oblate cross which is received at

The Oblate
cross
perpetual profession is a constant re-
minder of the love of the Saviour who wish-
es to draw all hearts to himself and sends us
out as his co-workers.

64 The Oblate habit is the same as the

The religious
habit
clerical dress of the diocese in which
we live. When we wear a cassock, our only
distinctive sign is the Oblate cross.

61
 They will have no other distinguishing mark
The Oblate cross

except that which is proper to their ministry,

namely the image of the Crucified Lord.
This crucifix will serve as
the credentials of their embassy
to the different peoples
to whom they are sent.
It will be a perpetual reminder
to the missionaries themselves
of the humility, patience, charity, modesty
and of all the other virtues
with which they are to carry out
their most holy and sublime ministry.

- 1818 -

It is important for the good of the Church

Servants of
the Church

and for providing our Congregation

with the means of attaining the end
which it has in view, not to admit any among
his sons except men who are able
with the help of God’s grace
to serve and comfort
their Mother by their labors
and good example.

- 1825 -

62
 SECTION FOUR
Formation after Novitiate

65 Whether preparing for priestly minis-

Growing in the
Oblate charism
try as scholastics or for service as Broth-
ers, new Oblates will live out their consecra-
tion in such a way that it permeates all as-
pects and activities of their daily life. Helped
by the formation team and their spiritual
advisors, they will gradually become men
of God, missionaries rooted in Christ, who
are ready to give themselves totally through
their perpetual Oblation. During this period,
the Oblate charism and traditions are stud-
ied and lived.
Initial formation culminates in the first obe-
dience, given by the Superior General.
R 65a. Spiritual formation aims at maturity in faith
based on a personal decision for Christ. The
meditation of God’s Word and a methodi-
cal study of our Christian heritage, adapted
to the Oblate’s capacities and to the needs
of his work and ministry, lead him, in this
extended period of formation, to know, ex-
press and share his faith.

R 65b. Character formation should lead the new

Oblate to come to a realistic assessment of
himself, to assume responsibility, and to re-
late in a mature way to his brothers and to
those in authority. It should promote leader-
63
 ship qualities and a sense of daring and cre-
ativity. Such formation should, moreover,
enable him to face with love, peace and joy
the renunciation inherent in religious com-
mitment.

R 65c. Through their work and through suitable

pastoral experience, even for extended
periods of time, the new Oblates will de-
velop a sense of service. They will have
an opportunity to work with the poor.
Capable supervisors will initiate them
into the ministry and show them how to
reflect on their experience in the light of
the Gospel.

R 65d. To provide for a more effective prepara-

tion, an Oblate may request an orienta-
tion to a specific pastoral ministry or mis-
sionary field. He should, nevertheless,
be open to serve elsewhere or in other
ministries. Such particular orientation is
permitted by the Superior General or by
the Provincial in agreement with the Su-
perior General.

R 65e. In freedom and full awareness of their re-

sponsibility, Oblates in formation present
themselves for perpetual Oblation and, in
the case of scholastics, for admission to Or-
ders. This is done in writing.

R 65f. A perpetually professed religious of an-

other institute who transfers to the Oblate

64
 Congregation shall undergo a probation
period of at least three years before being
admitted to perpetual profession. The
manner of such probation shall be deter-
mined by the Superior General.

R 65g. Major Superiors have the authority to ad-

mit scholastics and Brothers to the minis-
tries, such as those of lector and acolyte.
They may personally install them in these
same ministries or may delegate another
priest to do so.
It pertains to the Provincial in Council to
approve candidates for Orders. The Pro-
vincial or, as his delegate by virtue of the
Rules, the Superior of the scholasticate,
issues dimissorial letters for ordination.

R 65h. During the first years after their initial

formation, Oblates will receive guidance
and supervision from other Oblates more
experienced. This is a time when they
need the support of a community which,
in turn, they enrich.

R 65i. To establish a post-novitiate formation

community, the approval of the Superior
General in Council is required.

65
 Under the protection
Scholastics

of the most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary

are formed holy priests
who, filled with the Holy Spirit
and striving to walk in the footsteps
of the divine Shepherd,
feed with watchful
and constant care
the sheep that have been led back to him.

- 1853 -

66
 Scholastics

66 The years in the scholasticate give the

Priest of
the Lord
required training and education to
those who prepare for the priesthood. Their
studies are based on a solid formation in phi-
losophy and theology. They will cultivate
those skills needed for an effective ministry
of the Word.
Wherever these studies are pursued, it is
important that scholastics live in an Oblate
community and develop a missionary out-
look. They will, moreover, be led to appreci-
ate the gift of the priesthood through which
they are to share in a unique way in Christ’s
own ministry of priest, prophet and shep-
herd.
R 66a. Studies are centred on Christ the Saviour.
Firm roots in the Scriptures, the living
tradition of the Church and the teaching
of the Magisterium will enable the scho-
lastics to reflect critically on the major
trends of their time and the values of their
culture. They will come to appreciate
convictions and experiences other than
their own, especially those of the other
Christian traditions and the great world
religions.

R 66b. From a personal and coherent faith vi-

sion, scholastics will be able to present

67
 Christ’s Gospel in such a way that it
reaches and touches the hearts of their
contemporaries. Above all, they will in-
teriorise in prayer what they study and
begin to live what they learn, so that they
will be credible signs of the message they
are to preach.

R 66c. Since the means of social communica-

tion profoundly influence attitudes and
values, Oblates should understand how
public opinion is formed and ought to de-
velop their talents in the field of commu-
nications. They can thereby help to make
Gospel values present and powerful in
society.

R 66d. The Provincial, always respecting the

norms of the Church’s common law, may
permit a scholastic to interrupt his stud-
ies for a certain period, apart from the pe-
riod of pastoral initiation (cf. R 65c) in or-
der to confirm his vocation or to deepen it
through a sufficiently lengthy experience
in a missionary situation or in other em-
ployment.

R 66e. The Superior of the scholasticate and

the members of the formation team are
appointed by the Provincial in Council;
their appointment requires the approval
of the Superior General in Council. To-
gether they are responsible for the forma-
tion of the scholastics.

68
R 66f. At the end of the formal scholasticate
training, Oblates take up their ministry as
priests. If a scholastic discerns that he is
not called to the priesthood but intends
to remain an Oblate, he asks the Superi-
or General for an obedience to begin his
mission as a Brother.

Brothers

67 During the years after the novitiate, the

In witness
and service
Brother grows in appreciation of his
special vocation. With this in mind, profes-
sional training prepares him for his specific
role. His doctrinal and pastoral education is
adapted to his work and ministry. Thus, in
his own community as well as outside it, the
Brother can give witness of solid faith and of
service that is competent and selfless.
R 67a. In their prayer life, Brothers will seek a
personal and growing knowledge of the
Incarnate Word so that they may encoun-
ter him in the lives of those who toil, es-
pecially among the working poor.

R 67b. The Provincial will arrange to have a

planned program for the Brother’s Chris-
tian, religious and professional forma-
tion. A deeper religious formation gives
his consecration its full apostolic effec-
tiveness.

69
 R 67c. If a Brother in perpetual vows discerns
that, in response to apostolic needs, the
Lord is calling him to the permanent di-
aconate or to the priesthood, the Provin-
cial in Council may admit him as a candi-
date after having been authorized to do
so by the Superior General in Council.

Chapter Three

Ongoing Formation

68 God is ever at work in the world; his

Answering
new needs

life-giving Word seeks to transform

mankind, to build his People. We are instru-
ments of that Word. We have thus to be open
and flexible, learning how to respond better
to new needs, how to find answers to new
questions, discerning all the while the move-
ment of the Spirit who renews the face of the
earth (cf. Ps 104: 30).
R 68a. The ultimate success of ongoing forma-
tion depends on the individual’s sincere
desire and will. For this reason, during
the years of initial formation, formators
will show young Oblates how to learn
from life experience and help them devel-
op a positive attitude toward continuing
their formation once they are engaged in
the ministry.

70
69 Ongoing formation encompasses all

Total growth
aspects of our development. It renews
and develops our spiritual life and its inner
resources and favours our growth in emo-
tional and affective maturity. It increases our
pastoral skills. It enables us to be critically
aware of the integration of our life and mis-
sion at all stages of our development.
R 69a. Ongoing formation is extensive in scope
and varied in method. Besides personal
prayer and reflection, it includes method-
ical study, periodic community exchange
and discussions, special renewal or study
sessions. It may also entail specialized
studies or academic work toward a de-
gree.
Specialized studies undertaken with the
Provincial’s permission will take into ac-
count the Province’s missionary priorities
and be coordinated with the plans of oth-
ers. The Oblate’s progress in these studies
should be objectively evaluated.

R 69b. An adequate formation should be as-

sured when an Oblate receives an assign-
ment for which he has not been trained.
This refers especially to those ministries
where a sensitivity to another culture and
a knowledge of the language, history and
pastoral situation of a people is neces-
sary. Ministry with the poor or minority
groups also requires an understanding of
their socio-economic conditions and of
71
 the social teachings of the Church.
Special assistance should be given to re-
turning missionaries to enable them to
readapt to their own country and culture.

70 One of the foremost responsibilities of

Shared
responsibility

Superiors at all levels is to develop in

the community a spirit that fosters ongoing
formation. They should encourage common
projects as well as individual efforts. Each
Oblate, however, in dialogue with his com-
munity and his Provincial, has the primary
responsibility for his own ongoing formation.
R 70a. Each Province should have a plan for the
ongoing formation of its members and for
the development of resource persons.

R 70b. Each Provincial usually appoints a Direc-

tor of ongoing formation whose task is
to develop and implement suitable pro-
grams. He should be able to relate well
to the various groups in the Province and
must have both personal interest and pas-
toral concern for his Oblate brothers.

R 70c. When feasible, Provinces will cooperate

in ongoing formation efforts. They will
share available resources, Oblate or other.
In consultation with the Provincials, the
Superior General will decide whether it
is opportune to organize special study
or renewal sessions at the general level.

72
 Such initiatives serve to strengthen Ob-
late unity and permit members to benefit
from the variety of talent and experience
in the Congregation.

PART THREE
ORGANIZATION
The Spirit of Government

71 Jesus is the source and model of au-

Authority
as service
thority in the Church. Just as he washed
his disciples’ feet, so too those in charge
among us are called to serve and not to be
served. Their service coordinates and leads
our efforts to evangelize the poor. Among
us, they foster a way of life based on faith
and on a deeply shared love of Christ.

72 United as brothers in one apostolic

Structures
and mission

community, we are all equal before

God our Father, who distributes charisms
and ministries so that we can serve his
Church and its mission. Our organizational
structures, accordingly, are set up in func-
tion of that mission.
Following the guidelines of the Constitu-
tions and Rules, those in authority will make

73
 sure that the structures are flexible enough
to evolve with our lived experience.
R 72a. In addition to the spiritual characteristics
of an authentic missionary body centred
on Jesus Christ in the service of the poor,
our governing structures are grounded in
a number of values, most notably the fol-
lowing:

- respect for the human dignity of

the persons involved;
- fidelity to the charism and mis-
sion of the Congregation;
- effective leadership and forms of
mutual accountability at all levels;
- solidarity and subsidiarity;
- prudent assignment of persons,
time and finances.

73 Good government within the Congre-

Coresponsibility

gation demands that we participate ap-

propriately in it through responsible collab-
oration. Such participation is to be encour-
aged at all levels.
All of us are coresponsible for the commu-
nity’s life and apostolate. As a body, there-
fore, we discern the Spirit’s call and seek
to achieve consensus in important matters,
loyally supporting the decisions taken. Such

74
shared decision-making can best take place
in a collegial and trust-filled atmosphere.

74 Inasmuch as Superiors are stewards of

Accountability
the Lord, they are accountable at each
level of government to Congregational au-
thorities; they will also enable the communi-
ty they serve to participate as much as possi-
ble in decision-making and to collaborate in
carrying out decisions taken.

Chapter One

Structures of the Congregation

SECTION ONE
Administrative Structures

75 The Congregation has four levels of or-

Unity in
diversity

ganization: local, provincial, regional

and general. While the aim of the regional
level is coordination and collaboration in a
given geographical area, the other three lev-
els are governmental.
The governmental process presupposes liv-
ing apostolic communities, fully recognized
and respected in their relative autonomy.
Each level should be in close contact with the
others, providing support, coordination, ser-

75
 vice and leadership. Unity of heart and mind
is maintained by effective communication at
all levels and with each Oblate.

76 The Congregation’s vitality and effec-

Levels of
government

tiveness depend largely on the local

community. At this level, our missionary
presence is expressed by our living of the
Gospel, and by proclaiming and revealing it
to the world.
Local communities are normally grouped
into Provinces or Delegations and Missions
which live and carry out their specific apos-
tolate in collaboration with the local Church-
es and in close contact with one another, es-
pecially in the same Region.
The Provinces, Delegations and Missions to-
gether make up the Congregation, which is
united and animated by the Chapter and by
the Superior General and General Council,
who, in the spirit of the Founder, ensure that
the Congregation remains faithful to the de-
mands of religious life and its mission, and
guarantee our availability for the needs of
the Church everywhere.

77 Members of the Congregation live

Community
bonds

community in different ways: in a ca-

nonically established house or in a duly con-
stituted house with a local Superior or in a
district community entrusted to a local Su-
76
perior or exceptionally in an autonomous
residence under the care of a Director. Those
who, because of the mission, live alone are
normally to be assigned to a district commu-
nity or to a house.
Whatever is stated in the Constitutions and
Rules about Superiors applies also to Di-
rectors saving exceptions foreseen by the
Church’s common law or by the particular
statute of the residence.
R 77a. A district is a local community, wherein
members live either together in small res-
idential units, or alone, within a specified
geographic area, under the authority of
its own Superior.
R 77b. A residence, gathering a small number of
Oblates, can be formed as part of a district
community or attached to a house, or, in
exceptional circumstances, it may be au-
tonomous.

78 AtheProvince is an autonomous unit of

Provinces

Congregation grouping several lo-

cal communities of Oblates at the service of
the Church within a determined territory.

79 Inwithin
response to an evolving situation
Delegations

a Province or a Mission, several

Oblate communities may be grouped into a
Delegation enjoying a certain autonomy as
defined in its particular statutes.

77
 80 To provide for an ongoing mission-
Missions

ary outreach and to answer emerg-

ing needs in the Church, a new foundation,
known as a Mission, may be established af-
ter appropriate consultations.

SECTION TWO
Superiors: General Norms

81 Our Superiors are a sign of the Lord’s

Role of
Superiors

loving and guiding presence in our

midst. They call us to live up to our Oblate
vocation and provide us with the support
we need. In a spirit of coresponsibility, they
lead the community, making decisions, sup-
porting initiatives and implementing pol-
icies, according to the spirit and norms of
the Constitutions and Rules. Superiors must
know how to delegate authority as well as
assign responsibility.

82 Superiors, and all among us in author-

Leadership
qualities

ity, are called to service as men of faith

and prayer. In humility and true obedience,
they will seek enlightenment from God and
from their brothers’ counsel. They should
manifest the following qualities:

- a well-defined identity enlightened by

the Oblate charism;
78
- a deep love for the Church, for the Con-
gregation, and for the poor;
- a sensitivity to persons, an ability to lis-
ten, an openness to everyone, and a re-
spect for each person’s rights;
- a capacity for leadership and an ability
to animate a community so that it can
share in a climate of mutual trust and ac-
ceptance;
- a spirit of discernment and a capacity for
making decisions once consultation has
been carried out;
- an apostolic spirit, fully committed to
evangelization, that can challenge the
community, by periodic reviews and
evaluations, to respond to the needs of
the mission;
- a sense of unity that respects legitimate
diversity and enables them to coordinate
their own community activities and to
cooperate with others in the apostolate.

83 An Oblate appointed or elected Superi-

Conditions for
appointment

or, Vicar or replacement of a Superior,

must have finished his first formation and
received his first obedience, completed the
required period after perpetual profession,
and be ordained.
To be appointed local Superior, an Oblate
will have been professed in perpetual vows

79
in the Congregation for at least one year; to
be appointed or elected Superior of a Prov-
ince or a Delegation, he must have complet-
ed three years of perpetual vows; to be elect-
ed Superior General, he must have complet-
ed five years of perpetual vows.
R 83a. An Oblate Brother who has completed at
least one year of perpetual vows in the
Congregation may, with the necessary
indult, be appointed Superior of a local
community.

R 83b. The appointment, confirmation, or pro-

rogation in office of any Superior should
be made in writing. His rights and duties
begin on the day he officially takes office;
they cease on the day his successor offi-
cially replaces him.

R 83c. The Superior’s role is so important that

suitable ongoing formation is necessary.
That is why Superiors will be called by
the Major Superior to meet from time to
time. This will permit them to exchange
experiences, deepen their understanding
of their task, help them evaluate their ef-
fectiveness, and learn appropriate meth-
ods for animation and dialogue.

R 83d. Except in the case provided in Rule 106b,

matters requiring the approval, permis-
sion or confirmation of a higher author-
ity do not take effect until such approval,

80
 permission or confirmation is obtained,
preferably in writing.

R 83e. Unless a higher authority determines

otherwise, when a Superior is absent or
hindered from exercising his office, or
when the post becomes vacant, he is re-
placed by his Vicar if there is one, or by
a Councillor in the order of appointment,
or by the person legitimately designated
as his replacement. Otherwise, in a local
community he is replaced by the Oblate
who is senior by oblation.

R 83f. The Oblate replacing a Superior has the

same powers as the latter for the man-
agement of ordinary matters and for
business which cannot be delayed. He
will exercise his authority in keeping
with the decisions and known policies
of the Superior, whom he will keep in-
formed.

84 Inorsour Congregation, the Major Superi-

Major
Superiors

are the Superior General, the Vicar

General, the Provincials, the Vicars Provin-
cial and the Superiors of Delegations.

85 On the occasion of their election, ap-

Profession
of Faith

pointment or taking up office, and in

the presence of the Chapter or person who
has appointed them (or confirmed their elec-
tion) or his delegate, the Superior General,

81
 Provincials, Superiors of Delegations and lo-
cal Superiors are to make the Profession of
Faith approved by the Apostolic See.

86 Superiors are assisted by a Council

The Council

which expresses in its own way the

members’ concern for their community and
its common good. Matters to be considered
in Council are our mission as Oblates, our re-
ligious life, and temporal affairs. The Superi-
or and Council will be attentive to the needs
of the community and of its members.
When the expression “Superior General in
Council” or “Provincial or Delegation Supe-
rior in Council” is used, it means the Superi-
or General or Provincial or Delegation Supe-
rior with the consent of the Council.
R 86a. When the vote of the Council is required
by the Church’s common law or by the
Constitutions and Rules, the Councillors
will be convoked and will meet to discuss
and vote on the matter.
R 86b. In those instances where the consent of the
Council is required, meetings of the Supe-
rior and Council are normally held with all
the members present. However, in excep-
tional cases, presence by other means (such
as telephone conferencing) is sufficient, pro-
vided all those participating can take an ac-
tive part in the discussion.

82
 Nevertheless, in cases where a secret vote
is required by law or requested by one of
its members, as well as in cases relating
to admission to vows and orders, dis-
missals, and other instances specifically
foreseen in the Church’s common law
and in the Constitutions and Rules, phys-
ical presence of at least a majority of the
Councillors is required. Only those who
are physically present shall vote in such
instances.
R 86c. In those instances where a consultative
vote is required, if the situation is urgent
and unforeseen, the Councillors who are
absent can give their vote in writing or by
any other appropriate means.
R 86d. In those instances where a collegial vote
is prescribed, only those who are physi-
cally present vote.
R 86e. Minutes of each Council meeting will be
kept and, where appropriate, made avail-
able to the Major Superior concerned as
determined in the respective Directory.

87 The Superior General in Council can

Extending a term or
accepting a resignation

prolong the powers of a Provincial,

Delegation or Mission Superior for a short
period or appoint a temporary administra-
tor. After hearing the party concerned, the
Superior General in Council can remove a
Provincial, Delegation or Mission Superior
before his term is expired.
83
 The Provincial in Council can do likewise in
the case of a local Superior or of the Superior
of a Mission, if it depends on the Province.
For the removal of a Superior before his term
has expired, confirmation from the Superior
General is required.

88 At each governmental level financial

Treasurers

administration is entrusted to Treasur-

ers under the direction of the respective Su-
perior.
R 88a. The Treasurer will attend all council
meetings, unless otherwise specified by
the respective superior. His opinion, and,
where applicable, the opinion of the fi-
nance committee, will be recorded when
financial questions are discussed, al-
though the Treasurer has no deliberative
vote unless he is also a Councillor.

R 88b. The ministry of the Treasurer of a Province

or Delegation constitutes the primary min-
istry of the Oblate holding the office.

89 Before taking any action which involves

Due process

the personal rights of one or more of

his brother Oblates, the Superior will always
provide a hearing for the party or parties
concerned. An Oblate who feels an injustice
has been done to him by a Superior may have
recourse to higher authority; but he will com-

84
ply with the Superior’s decision in the mean-
time, unless there is a suspensive effect pro-
vided by the Church’s common law.
R 89a. The procedure established by the Supe-
rior General in Council for the examina-
tion of a situation where an Oblate feels
his rights are being jeopardized shall be
followed in such instances. If necessary,
this procedure may be adapted by mutu-
al agreement of the parties involved.

SECTION THREE
Voting Rights and Participation

90 All Oblates in perpetual vows enjoy

Voting
rights
active and passive voice, saving excep-
tions foreseen in the Church’s common law
or in the Constitutions and Rules.
R 90a. The Provincial in Council will draw up
the electoral procedures for the Province
in conformity with the provisions of C103
in the form of a Directory. These proce-
dures must give every voter the oppor-
tunity to cast his vote individually and
secretly. The requisite majority in each
case will be calculated according to the
number of valid votes cast.

85
 R 90b. Oblates in temporary vows have a con-
sultative voice in cases determined by
particular norms: e.g. in the appointment
of a Provincial, Provincial Councillors or
a Superior.

R 90c. Besides voting, participation in government

includes consultation, decision-making,
and evaluation.

Chapter Two

The Local Community

Nature and role

91 Local communities are the living cells

Community
and mission

of the Congregation. They are the pri-

mary units of our missionary presence where
life and mission find their support and ex-
pression.
They help all Oblates become more prayer-
ful and reflective and live the Gospel fully,
thereby freeing them for ever-greater fidel-
ity to their calling within a common project
and in the framework of the priorities of the
Province.
It is of the nature of a local community to be
a prophetic sign that offers grounds for hope
to the world in its search for integrity and
harmony.
86
Every Oblate has the right and duty to be-
long to a local community and to participate
in its life and mission.
R 91a. The local community is a place of frater-
nal charity and apostolic zeal.
This comprises the following elements:

- attention to its members, helping

each one develop his strengths
and gifts;
- support in moments of weakness,
trial, and disappointment;
- commitment and accountability
for each other and to each other;
- sharing of life, prayer, mission
and material goods;
- hospitality, as an expression of
our family spirit;
- involvement with the local
Church;
- collaboration with the laity.

Structures and functioning

92 The local community normally consists

The local
community

of at least three Oblates. It is constitut-

ed by the Provincial or Delegation Superi-
or in Council in accordance with the norms
of the Church’s common law. These same
87
norms will be respected should a communi-
ty wish to change its apostolic goals or when
a local community is suppressed.
R 92a. It pertains to the Superior General in
Council to constitute a local community
directly under him and to appoint its Su-
perior and Council.

R 92b. District communities and residences are

governed by their particular statute de-
termined by the Major Superior in Coun-
cil.

R 92c. Living together in community has, from

the time of the Founder, been our ideal.
However, because of the mission, Ma-
jor Superiors can allow an Oblate to live
alone. In this case, the Oblate will make
every effort to participate in the life of
the district community or of the house
to which he is attached. The situation of
Oblates living alone is to be considered as
temporary.

R 92d. The suppression of a canonically estab-

lished house is reserved to the Superior
General in Council at the request of the
Provincial in Council. The suppression
of a constituted house, which has not
been canonically established, pertains
to the Provincial in Council, as does the
suppression or modification of a district
community or residence.

88
93 The local Superior animates and di-

The local Superior

rects the community in its religious
life, furthers the apostolate, and upholds the
best interests of the members. At the service
of his brothers, the Superior brings the com-
munity together to evaluate its experience,
to give itself objectives for its common life
and apostolic projects, and to ensure their
implementation. He invites their collabo-
ration, and maintains close liaison with the
Provincial as well as fraternal contact with
other communities of the Province.
R 93a. Since the Superior’s charge includes con-
cern for his brother Oblates’ well being
and personal growth, he will be open and
available to all and will not hesitate, if
need be, to raise questions of a personal
nature in an atmosphere of respect and
confidence.
Superiors will manifest special concern
for members who are isolated or who live
alone for reasons of ministry (cf. C38).

R 93b. The Superior assures regular communi-

ty meetings. These special moments of
building community enable the members
to evaluate and support their Oblate life
and ministry.

89
 The local Superior should be blameless
The local Superior

and upright in all his conduct.

He should be conspicuous for the virtues
of humility and obedience.
He should be gifted with prudence and ability,
so that he may rule wisely
and manage affairs well.
He should be well acquainted
with the sacred sciences and the humanities.
He should be of kind disposition,
knowing how to temper the austerity required by the
spirit of discipline
with an appropriate mildness
that is free from weakness.
Above all things,
he should be a man of prayer,
who, during his intimate prayerful converse, takes
care to plead with God
not only for his own sanctification,
but also for the progress and perfection
of all those entrusted to his care.

- 1825 -

90
94 The Superior of a local community is

Appointment
of Superiors
appointed for three years by the Pro-
vincial in Council. He may be reappointed
for a second and exceptionally for a third
consecutive term.
R 94a. The permission of the Superior General in
Council is required for the appointment
of the Superior of a local community for a
fourth consecutive term.

R 94b. Before appointing a Superior, the Provin-

cial will seek the views of the community
concerned regarding the current situation
and the qualities needed for leadership
of the group. He will invite suggestions
about a suitable person for the office and
consult the candidate chosen before mak-
ing the appointment (cf. R 26b).

95 The Provincial in Council, after con-

The local
Council
sulting the local community, appoints
at least two assistants who constitute the Su-
perior’s Council. A local Treasurer will also
be appointed in the same way.
The members of the local Council may be
elected by the community, if the Province so
determines. The election requires the confir-
mation of the Provincial in Council.
In the case of a small community, the Pro-
vincial in Council may permit all the mem-

91
bers of the community to function as a local
Council.
R 95a. The local Council is regularly convened
by the Superior to assist him in animating
the life and mission of the community.
The following matters also pertain to it:

- to discuss community questions

and matters relating to ministry;
- to address financial issues, when
necessary, and to give or with-
hold its consent according to the
norms established by the Provin-
cial in Council;
- to present members for vows in
those cases not pertaining to the
formation personnel.
R 95b. In important matters affecting the entire
community, the Superior will seek the
opinion of all the members before mak-
ing a decision with his Council. The com-
munity will be kept informed of decisions
taken in Council.

92
 Chapter Three

The Province, Delegation and Mission

SECTION ONE
The Province

Nature and role

96 The Congregation is divided into Prov-

Apostolic
goals
inces to establish closer bonds among
local communities and to ensure the stability
of the apostolic works.
Each Province is in its own way a true ap-
ostolic community with its priorities and
goals which, to be attained, require the par-
ticipation of all. Local communities and their
members will seek to be in solidarity with
one another and mutually responsible for
the common mission.

97 Normally, a Province has attained and

Criteria

is able to maintain a satisfactory lev-

el of self-sufficiency. This entails sufficient
personnel, suitable vocation and formation
programs, as well as a long-term financial
stability.

R 97a. A Province must demonstrate a history

of being able to assume responsibility

93
 for effective functioning of government
and administration. This implies a sense
of identity, a stated missionary vision,
adequate leadership potential, a respect
for cultural and ethnic diversity, and nor-
mally, the ability to communicate in a
common language. The Province is also
to demonstrate that these characteristics
are going to continue into the foreseeable
future.

98 Itin pertains to the Superior General

Establishment
of a Province

Council to establish Provinces, to

change their boundaries, and to suppress or
unite existing Provinces. Before any restruc-
turing actions, the Superior General will
consult those concerned. It also pertains to
the Superior General in Council to evaluate
periodically their Oblate life, missionary ac-
tivity and stability.
R 98a. As a general principle, Province territories
are not to overlap.

R 98b. A Province must have at least sixty mem-

bers in order to assure a proper func-
tioning and stability. If the number falls
below sixty, the Superior General will
initiate a dialogue with the Province lead-
ership in order to address the situation
and provide for the future. Exceptions to
this norm will be decided by the Superior
General in Council.

94
R 98c. Normally, the suppression of a Province
takes place only within the framework of
a restructuring process.

R 98d. In the restructuring process, efforts will

be made to ensure sensitivity to diversity
and a certain level of autonomy among
the areas of the new province.

99 The Provincial Superiors share in the

Concern for the

Congregation
Superior General’s responsibility and
concern for the whole Congregation. They
will be in regular communication with him
and cultivate relationships with other Prov-
inces, especially those of their own Region.

100 The Provincial Superior is called to

the service of authority. His respon-
sibilities embrace both the specific mission
of the Congregation within the Province and
the religious apostolic life of its communi-
ties and members. His personal authority
extends to all persons, communities, and
works of the Province, as determined in the
Constitutions and Rules.

101 InProvincial
his animation of the Province, the
Animation

relies first of all on the

members of his Council and, with them, he
develops his action plans. He works closely
with the Superiors of local communities and
those in charge of formation.
95
 The Provincials ought always
The Provincial

to bear in mind the importance

of the charge entrusted to them...
Let them watch over faithfulness to the Rule.
As models to all their subordinates,
especially in obedience and charity,
let them support the superiors with kindness, come
to the aid of their subjects
with goodness, and love all
with sincere affection, so that,
in the field entrusted to their care,
the kingdom of Christ
may make more rapid progress.

- 1853 -

96
Structures and functioning

102 After consulting individually the

Appointment of
Provincials
members of the Province, the Supe-
rior General in Council appoints the Provin-
cial for three years. He may be reappointed
for a second term and, exceptionally, for a
third.
R.102a. The office of Provincial constitutes in it-
self a full-time apostolic service. Except
in very rare cases, it is incompatible with
any other important commitment.

R 102b. A simpler form of consultation may take

place after the first three-year term. How-
ever, if there is question of a third term,
a more extensive consultation will take
place.

R 102c. The selection of candidates for the office

of the Provincial Superior should take
place in a context of discernment. The
specific modalities of the process shall be
determined in the Provincial Directory.

103 AProvincial.
Province may choose to elect its
Election of
Provincials

The election procedure

may be authorized by the Superior General
in Council if two thirds of the valid votes cast
by the voters of the Province favour election.
Only Oblates in perpetual vows may take

97
 part in this consultation, and it must take
place by secret, individual ballot.

104 Once authorized by the Superior

Ways of
electing

General in Council, the election of

the Provincial takes place by secret, individ-
ual and direct vote of the perpetually pro-
fessed Oblates of the Province.
R 104a. The voting takes place either in an elector-
al assembly or by mail. In either case, for
validity, the election must be confirmed
by the Superior General in Council.

R 104b. If the voting takes place in assembly, the

Provincial convokes all those who may
vote. Two thirds of the electors must be
present if the election is to be valid; elec-
tors unable to attend may, however, vote
by letter on the first ballot.

R 104c. If the voting takes place by mail, the bal-

lots are to be sent to the Provincial in
sealed envelopes. For the validity of the
election, more than half the Oblates with
active voice must have cast a vote.

R 104d. Both ways require that, to be elected on

the first or second ballot, the candidate
elected receive an absolute majority of
the valid votes cast. If a third ballot is
necessary, electors may vote for only
one of the two candidates who received

98
 the most votes on the second ballot. If
there is a tied vote on the third ballot,
the Oblate who is senior by perpetual
oblation is elected.
With the approval of the Superior Gen-
eral in Council, the Provincial in Coun-
cil or a provincial assembly can require
a greater majority, for example, a two-
thirds majority.
The counting of the votes is done by the
Provincial or his delegate, with the help
of two tellers.

105 Visitation is an integral part of the Pro-

Visitation of
the Province
vincial Superior’s animation ministry.
He will provide for the ordinary visitation of
the Province at least once during his term of
office, evaluating the situation, identifying
challenges and making any necessary correc-
tions. A visitation is a special time of renewal
for individuals and groups. Each Oblate will
welcome the Provincial as a brother among
brothers.
The Provincial will also maintain frequent
contacts with the local communities and
their members, visiting them as often as pos-
sible, listening to, supporting, and encourag-
ing them.
R 105a. The Provincial will draft a report of his
visitation and share it with the local
community involved, with the Provin-
99
 cial Council, as well as with the Superior
General.

106 The Provincial is assisted by a Coun-

Provincial
Council

cil of at least three members. They

share in the government of the Province by
their advice to the Provincial, and by their
vote as required by the Church’s common
law and by the Constitutions and Rules.
R 106a. Councillors are appointed by the Superi-
or General in Council, after consultation
of the Province. A Council is appointed
whenever a Provincial is appointed or re-
appointed to office for another term.
The Superior General in Council may al-
low a Province to elect the Councillors if
two thirds of the valid votes cast by the
voters of the Province favour election.
The same procedures as for the election of
the Provincial will be followed. Elections
of Councillors require the confirmation of
the Superior General in Council.
In either case, if individual Councillors
are to represent particular sectors of the
Province, the specific modes of represen-
tation are determined in the Provincial
Directory.

R 106b. In urgent cases which demand immedi-

ate action and for which approval is cus-
tomarily granted by the Superior Gener-
al, the Provincial can proceed on his own

100
 authority with the consent of his Council,
according to the norms of the Church’s
common law. He will then inform the Su-
perior General of the action taken.
This procedure cannot be used for the
confirmation of a candidate’s admission
to perpetual vows.

R 106c. An extraordinary consultative Provincial

Council may be convened as an import-
ant means of collaboration in the anima-
tion of the Province. The composition of
an extraordinary Provincial Council is to
be determined in the Province Directory.

R 106d. In a grave and urgent case the Provincial

in Council is empowered to act in the ad-
ministration of a local community in or-
der to do something usually done by the
local Superior, or to correct or annul any
of his acts or decisions.

107 For the better government of the

Permanent
Vicars Provincial

Province, the Provincial in Council

can designate one or more permanent Vicars
Provincial. A Vicar Provincial has the same
powers as the Provincial for ordinary affairs
either of the Province or of the special sector
entrusted to him, saving matters reserved to
the Provincial by law or by the Provincial’s
decision.

101
 R 107a. The appointment of a Vicar Provincial is
made by the Provincial in Council and is
to be confirmed by the Superior General
in Council.

R 107b. A permanent Vicar Provincial is not ap-

pointed for a specific time; however, his
mandate ends at the same time as that of
the Provincial who appointed him.
The Vicar Provincial will exercise his au-
thority in accordance with the decisions
and policies of the Provincial and will
keep him informed in all matters of im-
portance.
If a member of the Council is named per-
manent Vicar Provincial, he continues
to serve as Councillor. If someone not a
member of the Council is named perma-
nent Vicar Provincial, his functions in re-
lation to the Council are determined by
the Provincial in Council and approved
by the Superior General in Council.

108 For greater participation in the life

Committees
and meetings

and mission of the Province, the Pro-

vincial in Council will:

- set up consultative committees, determining

their composition, functions, and terms of
reference;
- organize regular meetings with the local Supe-
riors of the Province;

102
- according to needs and possibilities, organize
a congress or a similar gathering of the Prov-
ince, at least once during his term of office, in
order to promote a common vision and deter-
mine common principles for mission.
R 108a. Province meetings provide an opportuni-
ty for the Provincial to report on the imple-
mentation of policies and programs and to
invite comments. Seeking the opinions and
suggestions of all members, he will foster,
as far as possible, an open discussion of
the various questions raised. Such mutu-
al and confident cooperation will promote
unity in the Province and the progress of
the mission.

R 108b. A general meeting of Province members,

or their elected representatives, may pro-
pose that certain matters be decided upon
by the Provincial and his Council acting
as a collegial body. To be binding, such
proposals require the approval of the Su-
perior General in Council.

R 108c. Changes in provincial government struc-

tures may be proposed by members of
the Province or their elected representa-
tives in a general Province meeting or by
the Provincial in Council. To be binding,
the proposals require the approval of the
Superior General in Council.

103
 R 108d. After appropriate consultation with the
members, each Province will develop a
Provincial Directory which determines
specific applications of the Constitutions
and Rules, as well as approved proce-
dures. The text is submitted to the Superi-
or General in Council for approval before
it is promulgated. This Directory shall be
revised periodically.

109 The Provincial Treasurer is appoint-

The Provincial
Treasurer

ed by the Provincial in Council; this

appointment requires the confirmation of
the Superior General in Council.
R 109a. The Treasurer’s mandate lasts until a new
provincial administration takes office. At
that time, he may be replaced or reap-
pointed in his duties. Usually he should
not be asked to serve more than twelve
years. If he is replaced, he continues in of-
fice until his successor takes over.

SECTION TWO
The Delegation

Nature and role

110 Aal Delegation

Delegation

is a grouping of sever-
local communities, with juridical
personality.

104
It is known as a Provincial Delegation if
it depends on a Province or on a group of
Provinces and as a General Delegation if it
depends on the Central Government.
In all cases, the Delegation will have its nec-
essary autonomy, while retaining its admin-
istrative links with the bodies on which it
depends.

Structures and functioning

111 Alished
Provincial Delegation is estab-

The Provincial
Delegation
with its particular statutes by
the Provincial Superior in Council after ap-
propriate consultation. It may be set up ei-
ther within the territory of the Province or
outside it. In either case, the confirmation of
the Superior General in Council is required.
The Provincial in Council appoints its Supe-
rior and Council subject to confirmation by
the Superior General in Council.
When a group of Provinces wishes to assume
responsibility for a Delegation, it pertains to
the Superior General in Council, upon rec-
ommendation of the Provincials concerned,
to establish it with its particular statutes and
appoint its Superior and Council. One of the
sponsoring Provincials shall be designated
as the liaison Provincial with the Delegation.

105
 112 AwithGeneral Delegation is established
The General
Delegation

its particular statutes by the Su-

perior General in Council after appropriate
consultation. Likewise, the Superior General
in Council appoints its Superior and Coun-
cil.
R 112a. A General Delegation may be established:

- when a Mission meets the require-

ments for autonomy but cannot
be established as a Provincial Del-
egation; or
- when a Province no longer fulfils
the necessary conditions to con-
tinue as a Province but it is not
judged opportune either to unite
it to another Province or Delega-
tion, or to include it in a broader
restructuring or to establish it as a
Provincial Delegation.

113 The government of a Delegation is

Government

entrusted to a Major Superior, assist-

ed by a Council of at least two members. He
has the same authority as a Provincial Supe-
rior in his Province, except in those matters
which have been specifically reserved to the
Provincial Superior or to the Superior Gen-
eral.

106
114 The Constitutions and Rules 102 to

Functioning
109 relating to structures and func-
tioning of Provinces apply with appropri-
ate modification to Delegations and will be
adapted to each Delegation in its particular
statutes.
R 114a. The particular statutes of the Delegation
will also determine among other things:

- the area of responsibility of the

Superior of the Delegation and
his participation if any in the de-
liberations of the Council of the
Province responsible for the Del-
egation;
- the responsibilities for the devel-
opment of local vocations and for
first formation of persons wishing
to join the Congregation and the
call to vows and to Orders;
- the financial competence of the
Delegation;
- forms of accountability;
- the Delegation’s rights in relation
to the ownership and administra-
tion of temporal goods;
- procedures for presenting re-
quests to the Superior General in
Council.

R 114b. The statutes shall be revised periodically.

107
 115 While participating in the life of the
Missionary plan

Region and in order to develop its

own identity each Delegation will elaborate
a missionary plan taking into account the
needs of the people who are being served,
the pastoral plan of the local Church, the
general thrust of the Region, and the policies
of the Congregation.
R 115a. Faithful to its vision and missionary
thrust the members of the Delegation
make it a point to share in the local cul-
ture and mission of the Church where
they have been sent.

R 115b. General contracts with the diocesan bish-

ops will be negotiated by the Delegation
Superior, in cooperation with the spon-
soring Provincial Superior, and require
the approval of the Superior General in
Council.

R 115c. Normally, requests to the Superior Gen-

eral in Council relating to the Delegation
will be forwarded directly only after ap-
propriate communication with the spon-
soring or the liaison Provincial Superior.

116 The Delegation Superior in Council

The Treasurer

appoints the Delegation Treasurer.

To be effective, this appointment requires
confirmation of the liaison Provincial Supe-
rior in Council; the Superior General is to be

108
informed of the appointment. In the case of
a General Delegation, to be effective, the ap-
pointment is to be confirmed by the Superior
General in Council.

SECTION THREE
The Mission

Nature and role

117 AriorMission is established by the Supe-

Establishment
General in Council in response
to the call of a local Church addressing a
perceived missionary need. In establishing a
Mission, the missionary plan of the Region
involved, as well as that of the Congregation
as a whole, must be taken into consideration.
R 117a. When a new Mission is being considered,
there is appropriate dialogue between
the Central Government of the Congre-
gation, the Conference of the Region, the
leadership of the Province or Provinces
involved, and the local Church authori-
ties.

R 117b. Normally, Missions are constituted in

territories where there is no other Oblate
presence.

109
 R 117c. A Mission is attached to a Province, or to
a group of Provinces or it may come un-
der the immediate authority of the Supe-
rior General.

Structures and functioning

118 Athree
Mission is comprised of at least
Government

members and gives the tes-

timony of an apostolic community. It has
a Superior, assisted by a Council of at least
two members. The Superior is appointed by
the competent Major Superior and is a mem-
ber of the Conference of the Region where
the Mission is situated. The needed support
in personnel and finances is provided for a
Mission by the Oblate entity upon which it
depends.
R 118a. The particular statutes approved by the
competent Major Superior and confirmed
by the Superior General in Council pro-
vide the faculties necessary for the Su-
perior of a Mission to pursue his role ef-
fectively and relate responsibly with the
ecclesial authorities of the area.

R 118b. The statutes provide for appropriate ac-

countability; they also define financial
competency, and address issues related
to the particular situation of a Mission.

110
 Chapter Four

The Region

Nature and role

119 To foster animation and coordina-

Regions
tion among its members and units,
the Congregation groups Provinces, Dele-
gations and Missions into Regions. The Re-
gions profit from their collective experience
and develop common approaches to Oblate
life and mission.
The Region as such is not a governmental
structure with juridical personality.

120 The General Chapter determines the

Number and
composition
number of Regions. The composition
of the Regions, taking geographical and cul-
tural situations into account, is decided by
the Superior General in Council, after con-
sultation with the Oblate units concerned.
R 120a. As a general rule, the Region is interna-
tional in its composition. This favours a
broader missionary consciousness within
the Congregation.

121 The Conference of the Region is com-

Regional
Conference

posed of the Provincial, Delegation

and Mission Superiors of the territory and is

111
 the principal animation body for the life and
activity of the Region.

Structures and functioning

122 Each Region gives itself the flexible

Flexible
structures

structures it needs to function prop-

erly. On occasion and where appropriate,
it participates in structures of collaboration
and sharing with other Regions.
R 122a. Regions derive their life more from the
base than from structures. They are there-
fore to a great extent self-empowering
and diversified.

123 The
Officers

Conference of the Region se-

lects its own officers from among its
membership. The president carries out the
duties entrusted to him by the Conference.
As president, he has no authority within the
Provinces, Delegations and Missions. Other
officers are chosen by the Conference accord-
ing to the needs and situation of the Region.
The General Councillor for the Region serves
as liaison with the Central Government. He
is invited to the meetings of the Conference.
R 123a. Each Region will establish the type of
secretariat it needs to coordinate its ac-
tivities and support its ongoing anima-

112
 tion. The personnel of the secretariat will
be chosen by the members of the Confer-
ence and work closely with its president.
Each Region will have an executive sec-
retary, other than the conference presi-
dent, whose responsibility is to support
the work of the Conference and further
its activities.

R 123b. Where appropriate, sub-Regions may be

established by the Conference of the Re-
gion to facilitate communication, collabo-
ration, and coordination.

R 123c. Meeting periodically, the Conference co-

ordinates certain joint projects in areas
such as mission, justice and peace, first
and ongoing formation. Committees and
task forces may be established for this
purpose.

R 123d. Details regarding the functioning of the

Regions and their accountability to vari-
ous governmental levels are spelled out
in the Congregation’s Administrative Di-
rectory. In application of this directory,
each Region shall develop a Regional Ad-
ministrative Directory, approved by the
Conference of the Region, and confirmed
by the Superior General in Council.

R 123e. For membership on various General

Committees, the Regional Conferences
will propose the names of competent Ob-

113
 lates to the Superior General who, from
this list, will appoint members to appro-
priate committees as needed.

R 123f. An Oblate Brother representing his region

will participate in the meetings of the Re-
gional Conference.

Chapter Five

General Government

124 The general level of government in-

General
level

cludes the General Chapter and the

General Administration. In the spirit of the
Founder, these ensure that the Congrega-
tion remains faithful to its mission and to
the demands of religious life. They guaran-
tee our availability for the needs of the entire
Church.

SECTION ONE
The General Chapter

Nature and role

125 The General Chapter is the highest

Spirit and
purpose

authority within the Congregation.

It meets regularly to strengthen the bonds
of unity and to express the members’ par-

114
ticipation in the life and mission of the Con-
gregation.
United around Christ, the Oblate family
shares the lived experience of its communi-
ties as well as the challenges and hopes of
its ministry. The Chapter is a privileged time
of community reflection and conversion. To-
gether, in union with the Church, we discern
God’s will in the urgent needs of our times
and thank the Lord for the work of salvation
which he accomplishes through us.

126 The General Chapter elects the Su-

Role
and tasks
perior General and his Council, ar-
ticulates our missionary vision, determines
general policy for the Congregation, and
makes whatever decisions are required. If
need be, it also makes changes in the Rules
and proposes to the Holy See modifications
in the Constitutions.
R 126a. During the Chapter, the Superior General
presents a report on the state of the Con-
gregation and on its financial situation; the
report is then examined by the Chapter.

R 126b. The Chapter establishes its program, tak-

ing into account the topics submitted. It
also determines the rules of procedure to
be followed.

115
 R 126c. Saving the particular prescriptions for
the election of the Superior General and
the Vicar General (cf. CC 136 and 142),
Chapter elections follow the norms of
the Church’s common law. In all Chap-
ter elections, the requisite majority will
be calculated according to the number of
valid votes cast.

Structures and functioning

127 The Superior General convokes the

Convocation

General Chapter every six years and

presides at it.
For serious reasons and acting collegially
with the Council, he may convoke a Chapter
at other times as well. In such a case, how-
ever, the Chapter considers only the matters
for which it was convoked and normally
holds no elections.

R 127a. The Superior General in Council fixes the

place and opening date of the Chapter.
The date of a regular Chapter may be an-
ticipated or postponed, but not beyond
six months.

R 127b. At least two years before a Chapter, the

Superior General in plenary session of
the Council will appoint a Commissioner
and the other members of the Precapit-

116
 ular Commission to make the necessary
preparations for the Chapter.

R 127c. After consulting the Provincials, the Su-

perior General will propose topics for the
Chapter’s agenda.

128 The members of the General Chap-

Capitulars
ter are the Superior General, the
members of the General Council, the Trea-
surer General, the Procurator to the Holy
See, the Superiors of Oblate Units (Provinc-
es, Delegations and Missions) which have at
least 60 members at the time of the convoca-
tion of the Chapter, the elected delegates and
the Oblates invited by the Superior General
according to the Rules.
In the composition of the General Chapter,
the number of members elected by the Con-
gregation must constitute the majority of the
members.
All remain members of the Chapter for its
entire duration, even if replaced in office
during the course of the Chapter.
R 128a. Elected delegates will be determined on
the following basis:
1. The elected delegates will be one for each
eighty members of a Region.

117
 2. The Oblates who are members of a Delega-
tion or a Mission are counted only with the
Region to which the Delegation or Mission
belongs.
3. The Conference of the Region will determine
the electoral units, the number of delegates
and alternates to be elected in each electoral
unit, and the necessary procedures for their
election. The procedures will assure propor-
tionate representation and the right to cast
a direct and secret vote to each Oblate with
active voice. At least one of the elected dele-
gates of each region must be an Oblate Broth-
er.
4. The Conference of the Region will submit
for the approval of the Superior General in
Council the eventual composition of elector-
al units, as well as the procedures for elec-
tion, no more than six months after the con-
vocation of the Chapter (Cf. 128b).
5. Members of the General House community
and other Oblates attached to it will consti-
tute one electoral unit and will elect one del-
egate to the Chapter.
6. The Superior General, after consulting the
Council in plenary session, may invite up to
two other Oblates to the Chapter. The invited
capitulars have full voting rights in all capit-
ular acts.

R 128b. The total number of Oblates of each Re-

gion, on which the number of elected del-

118
 egates will be based, is fixed on the date
of convocation.
R 128c. Capitulars may not normally relinquish
their right and duty to attend the Chap-
ter. For serious reasons and with the con-
sent of the Superior General, a Superior
eligible by right according to C 128 to
attend the Chapter may choose in Coun-
cil another Oblate to replace him, and an
elected delegate may yield his place to
the alternate who then replaces him for
the duration of the Chapter.
R 128d. The Superior General will take the neces-
sary measures to bring to the attention of
all Oblates, as soon as possible, the acts
and decisions of the Chapter.
R 128e. Between Chapters, the Superior General
in Council in plenary session will call at
least one meeting of the Provincials with
the Central Government. After consulting
the Provincials, he will determine details of
convocation and the agenda of the meeting.
The principal purpose of such a meeting
is to evaluate the extent to which deci-
sions taken in Chapter have been carried
out, to encourage further implementation
of such decisions, and to provide for the
remote preparation of the next Chapter.

119
 SECTION TWO
The General Administration

Nature and role

129 The General Administration com-

Government Composition

prises the Central Government and

the General Services.

130 The Central Government is made up

Central

of the Superior General, the Gener-

al Council and the General Officers, and is
responsible for carrying out the policies and
directives of the General Chapter as well as
for assuring the animation necessary for a
united missionary body. They constitute the
Central Government community and work
closely together as a team.

131 Called to the service of authority by

In a spirit of
collegiality

the Chapter, the Superior General

and Council exercise their responsibilities in
a spirit of collegiality. Their first concern is
the Oblates’ fidelity as a Congregation to the
missionary thrust which is our Spirit-given
heritage from the Founder.
Exercising their leadership throughout the
Congregation and open to the needs of the
Church and the world, they identify basic
issues and help discern common objectives;
120
they oversee the development and sharing
of resources, promote an exchange of expe-
riences and information, and foster interde-
pendence.

132 The General Administration main-

General
services
tains General Services for its ef-
fective functioning and for the good of the
whole Institute.

Structures and functioning

The Superior General

133 The Superior General is the Congre-

Living bond
of unity
gation’s living bond of unity. The ex-
ample of his life, his apostolic zeal and the
affection he holds for all Oblates stir the faith
and charity of communities to ever greater
efforts in response to the Church’s needs.
As the successor of St. Eugene de Mazenod,
the Superior General will continually keep
alive the missionary zeal at the heart of our
charism, helping to break new ground at the
service of evangelization.

134 Responsible for building up the

Virtues

whole Congregation, for animating

its religious life and leading it in its mission,
the Superior General will constantly seek
from God the wisdom and sound judge-
121
 ment, the strength of will and the firmness of
character which the office demands.
He will be open and understanding, patient
and sensitive, welcoming with unfailing
kindness all who have recourse to him. He
will correct with gentleness. In a word, he
will consider himself at once the common fa-
ther and brother of all Oblates.

135 The Superior General’s authority ex-

His authority

tends to all Provinces, Delegations,

Missions, local communities and works of
the Congregation, as well as to all its mem-
bers.

136 The Superior General is elected by

Election and
mandate

the General Chapter for a six-year

term. He may be re-elected for a second
term, but not for a third consecutive one.
There will be a maximum of five ballots. On
the first three ballots, a two-thirds majority
of the valid votes cast is required for this
election. On the fourth and subsequent bal-
lot, an absolute majority suffices.
On the fifth ballot, only the names of the two
who received the highest number of votes
on the fourth ballot will be retained, and the
two candidates do not vote. If there was a
tied vote on the fourth ballot, the name of the
Oblate who is senior by perpetual oblation is

122
retained. Likewise, if on the fifth ballot there
is a tie, the Oblate who is senior by perpetual
oblation is elected.
R 136a. The election of the Superior General and
Council will be preceded by an appropri-
ate discernment process agreed upon by
the General Chapter.

123
 It is desirable that he be outstanding
The Superior
General

for his love of God and of the Church,

his zeal for the salvation of souls,
his attachment to the Society
equal to any trial,
his wisdom, prudence, sagacity
and keenness of mind, his strength of character
and fortitude and courage enabling him
to continue the good already begun
in spite of obstacles and contradictions,
recommendable, finally, and respected,
whether within or without the Congregation,
for his accumulated virtues.

The Superior General will consider

his office not so much as an honour
which distinguishes him from others
but rather as a burden requiring from him
graver duties, greater cares,
and more eminent virtues.
Let him govern wisely,
distribute offices prudently,
bear each man’s failings patiently,
listen to everyone with kindness,
correct with gentleness, always charitably coming
to each person’s aid,
responding eagerly to all needs,
spiritual or temporal,
counting himself at once
the common father and the brother of all.

- 1825 -

124
137 Itgivepertains to the Superior General to

Obediences
the first obedience to an Oblate
for a given Province. When he judges it op-
portune for the good of the Congregation or
of the individual, he may transfer a member
from one Province to another.
R 137a. When assigning an Oblate to a Province,
the Superior General may indicate that
the assignment is for a specific Delegation
or Mission. Prior to such an appointment,
an understanding should be reached be-
tween the Superior General and the Pro-
vincial concerned.

R 137b. The Superior General will consult the

Provincials and the Oblate concerned be-
fore giving a first obedience or making
a transfer from one Province to anoth-
er. Unit superiors will ask the Superior
General for approval before allowing an
Oblate to live outside the Province’s geo-
graphic territory if the stay exceeds one
year. If the stay is for the purpose of high-
er studies, only notification is required.

R 137c. To promote better cooperation between

Provinces and further the unity of the
Congregation, he may likewise call Ob-
lates to Rome for studies and formation
or for a particular service to the Con-
gregation. Their stay should give them
a greater sense of the Church and of the
Congregation’s worldwide dimensions.

125
 138 Visitation is an integral part of the
Visitations

Superior General’s animation min-

istry. This ministry can be carried out in a
variety of ways: fraternal visits, ordinary vis-
itations, and special visitations.
R 138a. During his term of office, the Superior
General will aim at paying a fraternal vis-
it to the Provinces and Delegations. The
purpose of this visitation is to support
and encourage the members.

R 138b. Personally or through an Oblate des-

ignated by him, he will provide for the
ordinary visitation of a Province or Del-
egation – evaluating the situation, iden-
tifying challenges, and correcting irreg-
ularities when necessary. Carried out
periodically, such a visitation is a special
time of renewal for groups and individ-
uals. For this reason the entire Province
or Delegation is responsible for its careful
preparation and successful outcome.

R 138c. When necessary or useful, he will also

provide for special visitations. These can
be carried out personally or through one
or more delegates. A special visitation
can pertain to works of the Congrega-
tion, specific categories of members, or to
particular situations that have to be ad-
dressed.

126
139 Should the office of Superior Gener-

Vacancy of
the office
al become vacant, or should the Su-
perior General become permanently unable
to exercise his office, the Vicar General as-
sumes his duties. Acting collegially with the
Council in plenary session, he determines
whether a General Chapter should be con-
voked for the purpose of electing a Superior
General and Council, or whether he should
complete the term.
R 139a. If a Superior General resigns when the
Chapter is not in session, the resignation
is submitted to the Holy See.

R 139b. The determination that a Superior Gener-

al is so disabled that he must be replaced
is made by the members of the General
Council in plenary session and acting col-
legially; its findings are submitted to the
Holy See for verification.

The General Council

140 The General Council is composed

Composition
and role

of the Vicar General, the Assistants

General, and the General Councillors. They
assist the Superior General in the govern-
ment and administration of the Congrega-
tion.

127
 R 140a. There will be two Assistants General and
one General Councillor for each Region.

141 The members of the General Council

Election

are elected from among those per-

petually professed, according to what is pre-
scribed elsewhere in the Constitutions and
Rules.
A new General Council is elected by the
General Chapter after it has elected a Supe-
rior General. The members of the General
Council remain in office until the election of
their successors.
R 141a. In the choice of candidates, efforts will be
made to reflect the international character
of the Congregation.

142 To assist the Superior General in his

Vicar General’s
election

charge, a Vicar General is elected for

a six-year term.
On the first two ballots, an absolute majori-
ty is required for this election. On the third
ballot, only the names of the two candidates
receiving the most votes on the second bal-
lot shall be retained, and the two candidates
do not vote. If there was a tied vote on the
second ballot, the name of the Oblate who
is senior by perpetual oblation is retained.
Likewise, if on the third ballot there is a tie,

128
the Oblate who is senior by perpetual obla-
tion is elected.

143 The Vicar General has ordinary au-

Vicar General’s
authority
thority for the conduct of regular
business. The manner in which this authori-
ty is to be exercised will be determined with
the Superior General.
Acting as a moderator within the General
Administration, the Vicar General shall co-
ordinate its executive functioning and ser-
vices.
R 143a. Should the office of the Vicar General be-
come vacant, or should the Vicar General
complete the term of a Superior General
who is deceased, has resigned or is per-
manently unable to exercise his office, a
new Vicar General or a Pro-Vicar Gener-
al is elected for the unexpired term. The
election is made by the Superior General
or Vicar General, as the case may be, and
the General Council acting collegially.
R 143b. If the Superior General and the Vicar
General are both absent or hindered from
exercising their office, the Assistant Gen-
eral who is senior by election will replace
them as Pro-Vicar General.

144 The Assistants General, together

The Assistants
General

with the Vicar General, ensure a

continuous presence of the Council to assist
the Superior General in the fulfilment of his
129
 office, particularly in areas such as the ani-
mation of mission, first and ongoing forma-
tion, the coordination of visitations, and the
responsible stewardship of temporal goods.
The Assistants General are also available to
assume special responsibilities as assigned
by the Superior General.
R 144a. The responsibility of coordination of asso-
ciations will be assigned to the Vicar Gen-
eral or to one of the Assistants General.

145 As members of the General Admin-

The General
Councillors

istration and of the Central Govern-

ment community, the General Councillors
have their residence in Rome. Their time,
however, is divided between their duties at
the centre and their responsibilities in the
Regions. They can thus be an effective liai-
son and provide the General Administration
with accurate information concerning Ob-
late life in the Regions.
R 145a. A General Councillor is elected by the
Chapter for each Region of the Congre-
gation.
A slate of at least two candidates, pre-
pared during the Chapter by a secret
ballot of the capitulars of the Region con-
cerned, is presented to the Chapter. In
presenting their candidates, they may, if
they wish, indicate their preference. Each
capitular, however, may vote for any oth-
er eligible Oblate of his choice.
130
R 145b. In the Regions, the General Councillors
support the Major Superiors and their
initiatives. As liaison between Provinces,
Delegations and Missions, they foster the
sharing of experiences and, when possi-
ble, promote interprovincial projects and
services. They help their brother Oblates
rise to the demands of their life and mis-
sion by communicating a global view of
the Congregation’s priorities.

R 145c. For a better government of the Region

and of the Units of which it is composed,
the Superior General in Council may del-
egate a General Councillor with govern-
mental power for determined actions, to
be specified in his Council, within one or
several Regions and Units, with the ex-
ception of whatever may be reserved by
law or by a specific act of the same Supe-
rior General.

Plenary Sessions and Ordinary Sessions

146 The Superior General will submit

Superior General
and Council

matters concerning general policy

to the General Council, inviting suggestions
and proposals. He requires the advice or
consent of the Council in those matters de-
termined by the Church’s common law or by
the Constitutions and Rules.

131
R 146a. Plenary sessions of the Council are held
at least twice yearly. All the members of
the Council are convoked to deliberate
with the Superior General on major items
of business, as determined by the Consti-
tutions and Rules, by the Chapter or by
the Superior General in Council.
Major items of business are:

- the determination of the time and

place of the General Chapter and
of the principal questions to be
placed on its agenda;
- the determination of the composi-
tion of the Regions, the establish-
ment or suppression of Provinces
and General Delegations, or the
confirmation or the suppression
of a Provincial Delegation, the ac-
ceptance of a new Mission;
- the appointment of Provincials
and of their Councillors, or their
confirmation in the case of an
election by the Province;
- the appointment of planning or re-
search committees for specific ar-
eas, such as formation or finances;
- the allocation of Congregational
funds;

132
 - the examination and approval of
the financial reports of the Gener-
al Administration, and the exam-
ination of the financial reports of
the Congregation;
- the appointment of General Of-
ficers, of Directors of Services,
of the Chapter Commissioner
and members of the Precapitular
Commission;
- the election of the Vicar General,
the Pro-Vicar General, an Assis-
tant General or a General Coun-
cillor.

R 146b. Ordinary sessions of the Council deal

with the day-to-day business of the Con-
gregation. The Superior General or his re-
placement meets with at least two mem-
bers of the Council for such sessions. If
necessary to constitute a quorum in an
urgent and unforeseen case, the person
presiding may ask a General Officer to
take part in the Council with the right to
vote.
In cases demanding immediate action,
the Council may decide in ordinary ses-
sions matters that are normally reserved
for plenary sessions.
Except for cases determined in Rule 146a,
whenever there is mention of the General
Council, the matter may be decided in or-
dinary session.

133
 R 146c. The Superior General will invite the Trea-
surer General or the Procurator General
to Council meetings, depending on the
nature of the questions being discussed
in council; their role is consultative.

R 146d. The Superior General in Council is em-

powered to act in a grave and urgent
case concerning the administration of a
Province, Delegation, Mission, or local
community either to do something that
is usually done by the Provincial or local
Superior or to correct or annul their acts
or decisions.

Acting as a Collegial Body

147 Besides what is stated elsewhere in

Collegial
body

the Constitutions and Rules, the Su-

perior General and his Council in plenary
session will act as a collegial body in those
precise instances determined by the General
Chapter.
R 147a. In the case of a vacancy between Chap-
ters, the Superior General and his Council
acting collegially will elect an Assistant
General or General Councillor, as the case
may be. In the latter instance, there is a
previous consultation with the Provin-
cials and Superiors of Delegations in the
Region.

134
The General Offices

148 The Central Government also com-

Nature and
functions
prises certain General Offices which
are necessary or useful for the whole Insti-
tute. They are the General Secretariat and the
General Finance Office. It pertains to the Su-
perior General in Council in plenary session
to establish, when necessary, other General
Offices.
R 148a. The Superior General in Council in plenary
session appoints the General Officers. The
General Officers are members of the Cen-
tral Government community. Their term
of office corresponds to that of the Council
under whose administration they were ap-
pointed. When a new Council takes office,
the General Officers remain in charge until
they are reappointed in office or replaced;
in either case, this action is taken within
one year. For serious reasons the Superior
General in Council, after hearing the party
concerned, may request the resignation of a
General Officer before his term is complet-
ed.

R 148b. The Secretary General is a General Officer.

He serves as secretary and notary of the
Congregation and of the General Council.
He sees to the preparation of dossiers for
the meetings of the Council, he also makes
certain that official documents of the Con-

135
 gregation as well as acts of the Council are
properly preserved and, if need be, com-
municated to the parties concerned. He
also supervises the work of the General
Secretariat and collaborates closely with
the General Archivist.

R 148c. The Treasurer General is a General Officer.

Under the direction of the Superior Gener-
al and Council, he administers the common
property and possessions of the Congrega-
tion. He also exercises a role of animation
in regard to the responsible stewardship
of temporal goods and the ongoing forma-
tion of Provincial Treasurers.

General Services and Other Services

149 The General Administration also in-

Nature and
functions

cludes General Services necessary or

useful for the whole Institute. It pertains to
the Superior General in Council in plenary
session to establish or discontinue General
Services.
R 149a. Among the General Services are the Proc-
uration to the Holy See, the Postulation,
the Oblate Communications Service; the
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Service; the General Archives and the
General Service of Oblate Studies.
Each General Service is under the direc-
tion or supervision of an Oblate appoint-

136
 ed for a specific term of office by the Su-
perior General in Council in plenary ses-
sion.

R 149b. The Procurator General, under the direc-

tion of the Superior General, represents
the Congregation in its official relations
with the Holy See.

R 149c. The Postulator General, in accordance

with the mind of the Superior General,
diffuses a wider knowledge of Oblates
who have enriched the Congregation’s
history with an outstanding witness of
their holiness; and he especially pro-
motes, according to the Church’s com-
mon law, the causes of those who are a
special source of inspiration not only
for the Congregation but for the whole
Church.

R 149d. Through different means of communica-

tion, the Oblate Communications Service
provides for an exchange and sharing of
information throughout the Congrega-
tion and beyond and fosters the use of
media in ministry.

R 149e. The roles of the Directors of other General

Services are described in the General Ad-
ministration Handbook.

R 149f. The services, committees, and co-ordina-

tion needed to respond to other particular

137
 needs of the Congregation in the field of
missions, formation, Oblate history and
spirituality, communications and finance
will also be provided for.

Chapter Six

Temporal Goods

150 Since we are a missionary Congre-

Property and
sharing

gation, the temporal goods of our

Institute are, above all, at the service of the
mission.
R 150a. While meeting the members’ needs,
through the income generated, we will
look for ways to share what we have with
others, especially with the poor.

R 150b. Since the placement of the Congregation’s

funds is not unrelated to issues of justice,
particular care should be taken that our in-
vestments do not support enterprises which
exploit the poor or damage the environ-
ment, but rather those which benefit them
in some way.

151 The Congregation as such, Provinc-

Right to own
property

es, Delegations, and canonically es-

tablished houses, have the right to acquire,
retain, administer and alienate property in
accordance with the Church’s common law.

138
In the case of established houses, however,
this right is limited; the limits are fixed by
the Provincial in Council.
R 151a. The special statute of Missions, district
communities, and residences will de-
termine whether they have the right to
acquire, retain, administer, and alienate
property.

R 151b. Without prejudice to the canonical norms

concerning property, titles to Oblate
property and other assets are to be vested
in civilly recognized Oblate corporations
or in some other manner which, accord-
ing to the laws of the country, assures
their safety for the Congregation.

152 Insubsidiarity,
accordance with the principle of
each Province or Del- Subsidiarity
egation will strive to provide for its own
needs in financial matters.

153 Superiors and Treasurers will man-

Managing Oblate
goods

age Oblate goods in a spirit of stew-

ardship and in conformity with the Church’s
common law and the Constitutions and
Rules.
R 153a. In fulfilment of their office, the Superi-
ors and Treasurers will be guided by the
norms of their respective Financial Direc-
tories.

139
 154 The Treasurer, under the direction of
The Treasurer

the competent Superior, carries out

the acts of ordinary administration, after the
Superior in Council has approved the annu-
al budget.
R 154a. The Treasurer prepares the budget and
periodic reports and presents them to the
competent Superior.

155 For acts of extraordinary adminis-

Extraordinary
administration

tration which exceed the purpose

and the manner of ordinary administration,
as well as to incur debts or obligations or to
alienate Oblate property, the consent of the
competent Superior in Council is required.
R 155a. The General Finance Directory shall list
those acts considered to be acts of ex-
traordinary administration in the Con-
gregation; Provincial and Delegation Di-
rectories can spell out in more details acts
which, within the Province or Delegation,
are also considered to be acts of extraor-
dinary administration.

156 All Oblates, at whatever level, re-

Managing
non-Oblate goods

quire the explicit consent of their

Major Superior in Council to accept the ad-
ministration of non-Oblate ecclesiastical
works or property. If such administration is
accepted, contracts are drawn up in due and

140
proper form. The nihil obstat of the Major
Superior is required for acts of extraordinary
administration relating to this work or prop-
erty.
The administration of non-ecclesiastical
goods, except for the patrimonies of Oblates,
will not be accepted unless there are serious
reasons and then with the consent of the Ma-
jor Superior in Council. Administration will
always be conducted in accordance with the
laws of the country.

157 Alished
Finance Committee is to be estab-

Finance
Committee
at the Congregational, Pro-
vincial, and Delegation levels, and to be kept
duly informed.

The Local Level

158 The Provincial in Council, or the Su-

Financial
competency

perior of the Delegation in Council,

sets the financial competency of local Su-
periors and their Councils, and determines
which assets can be managed by individu-
al Oblates and by local Superiors and their
Councils. He also sets the contributions
which local communities are to make to the
Province or Delegation. This contribution is
to be made even in cases where there is fi-
nancial dependence.

141
 R 158a. While respecting the rights of established
houses and the intentions of benefactors
and donors, the Provincial and the Supe-
rior of the Delegation shall provide for
fraternal sharing of financial resources
among the local communities of the Prov-
ince or Delegation.

R 158b. Likewise, while respecting the rights of

established houses and the intentions
of benefactors and donors, the temporal
goods of each local community are held
in common according to directives fixed
by the Provincial in Council.

R 158c. The local Treasurer, under the direction

of the Superior administers the commu-
nity’s property. In bookkeeping as well
as in bank accounts, there must be a clear
distinction between the funds and prop-
erty belonging to a parish, diocese or oth-
er organization and those belonging to
the Oblates.
The same principles apply to those mem-
bers of the Congregation who are entrust-
ed with the collection and disbursement
of funds.

The Provincial and Delegation Levels

159 After consulting the persons con-

Financial
competency

cerned, the Superior General in

Council determines the limits of financial
competency of Provincial and Delegation
142
authorities and determines the amount
which each Province or Delegation contrib-
utes annually to the support of the General
Administration.

160 The Provincial or Delegation Trea-

The Provincial
Treasurer
surer, under the direction of the
Major Superior, will prudently provide for
the needs of the Province or Delegation, its
communities, and its members in a spirit of
charity, moderation, and detachment.
R 160a. For acts of extraordinary administration,
the Treasurer requires the permission of
the Provincial or Delegation Superior,
who obtains the consent of his Council
and, if necessary, of the Superior General
in Council.
He will respect the financial autonomy of
the local community. The Provincial or
Delegation Superior may, however, del-
egate him to assist local communities in
financial matters.
R 160b. An Assistant Treasurer or, at least, some-
one who will be kept fully informed of
the financial situation and of the various
operations of the Treasurer’s office, will
be appointed by the Provincial or Delega-
tion Superior.

161 The norms relating to the financial

Delegations
and Missions

administration of Delegations and

Missions will be further determined in their
statutes.
143
 The General Level

162 The Superior General in Council de-

Managing the funds
of the Congregation

termines the financial policy of the

Congregation in line with the indications
given by the General Chapter.
In administering the funds of the Congre-
gation whose management pertains to the
General Administration, the Superior Gen-
eral personally may incur or authorize ex-
traordinary expenses up to the maximum
amount determined by the Superior General
in Council. To spend more than that amount,
to incur debts or obligations, to perform acts
of extraordinary administration, or to alien-
ate otherwise Oblate property, the Superior
General must have the consent of his Council.
The other applicable norms of the Church’s
common law must also be observed.
The Superior General must also obtain the
consent of his Council to authorize a Provin-
cial or Delegation Superior to perform acts
of extraordinary administration or to make
expenditures exceeding the latter’s compe-
tency.
R 162a. In addition to an animation role in regard
to the responsible stewardship of tempo-
ral goods, the Treasurer General conducts
the ordinary business of the General Ad-
ministration and prepares its annual bud-

144
 get. He receives an annual consolidated
report from each Province and Delega-
tion and gives his analysis to the Superi-
or General and Council. He also receives
a copy of the budget approved by the
Major Superior in Council of each Prov-
ince and Delegation in order to provide
a more accurate analysis of the financial
report.
With the appropriate adaptations, he as-
sumes at the general level the same re-
sponsibilities as the Provincial Treasurer
exercises at the provincial level.

R 162b. A General Finance Committee helps the

Superior General and Council determine
the financial policy of the Congregation
and presents whatever recommendations
it judges opportune. The committee is
composed of the Treasurer General, his
assistant and four qualified Oblates ap-
pointed by the Superior General in Coun-
cil from a list of candidates proposed by
each Regional Conference. Persons other
than Oblates may be invited by the Trea-
surer General as advisers on specific is-
sues considered by the General Finance
Committee.

145
 We urgently exhort, in the Lord,
Cor unum et
anima una

each and every member of the Congregation,

as very dear sons in Christ,
to renew themselves by God’s grace
in the spirit of their vocation;
to unceasingly undertake,
under the aegis of our most loving
Immaculate Mother, even more important
and effective works for the greater glory of God
and for the salvation
of the most abandoned souls.
Mindful of these words,
(which marvellously sum up our entire Rule),
“all united in the bonds of the most intimate
charity under the direction of the superiors,”
may they form but one heart and one soul.

- 1850 -

146
 Chapter Seven

Fidelity to the Constitutions and Rules

163 The Constitutions and Rules set out

In the footsteps of
Jesus Christ
a privileged means for each Oblate
to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
They are inspired by the charism lived by the
Founder and his first companions; also, they
have received the approval of the Church.
Thus, they allow each Oblate to evaluate the
quality of his response to his vocation and to
become a saint.

164 AChapter
two-thirds majority of the General

Modification of
Constitutions
is required for the modifica-
tion or authentic interpretation of an article
of the Constitutions, to be submitted to the
Holy See for approval.

165 An absolute majority is required for the

approval or modifications of the Rules.
Modification
of Rules

R 165a. Any change in existing Rules which is

approved by the Chapter is immediately
effective.

166 The General Chapter and the Su-

Dispensations

perior General may dispense indi-

viduals and communities from disciplinary
prescriptions of the Constitutions and Rules
for an indefinite period; other Major Supe-
riors may do the same for a limited period
for those under their jurisdiction. Superiors

147
 of local communities may occasionally dis-
pense individuals or the community itself.
Nevertheless, neither the General Chapter
nor Superiors can dispense from constitutive
laws, especially those which pertain to the
structures and government of the Congrega-
tion, unless an exception is expressly stated.

167 The Superior General in Council

Directories

promulgates specialized directories

applicable to all or certain parts of the Con-
gregation. These directories concern forma-
tion, financial administration, general ad-
ministration, and similar matters.
R 167a. The General Norms for Oblate Formation
are promulgated by the Superior General
in Council in cooperation with the Gener-
al Formation Committee.
R 167b. The General Finance Directory is promul-
gated by the Superior General in Council
in cooperation with the General Finance
Committee.

168 Each Oblate through his obla-

Creative
fidelity

tion assumes responsibility for the

common heritage of the Congregation, ex-
pressed in the Constitutions and Rules and
our family tradition. He is exhorted to let
himself be guided by these norms in cre-
ative fidelity to the legacy bequeathed by St.
Eugene de Mazenod.

148
 APPENDIX

Suffrages for the Deceased (cf. C 43)

Decree of 1980 General Chapter

revised by 1992 General Chapter

1. When an Oblate dies, the Superior General shall

be notified at once; he in turn will inform the
entire Congregation so that the deceased can be
remembered in our community and personal
prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist.

2. Each Oblate priest shall celebrate one Mass

and each Brother attend Mass upon the death
of the Superior General or of a former Superior
General, or of any member, novices included,
of the Province to which he belongs. It is
recommended that this Mass be a community
celebration.

3. Oblates not attached to a particular Province but

living under the direct authority of the Superior
General have the same obligations and the same
rights in the matter of suffrages as the members
of the Province in whose territory they reside.

4. The Superior General shall celebrate one Mass

for each deceased Oblate or novice.

149
5. Once each month every Oblate priest shall
celebrate Mass, and each Brother attend Mass,
for all deceased Oblates.

6. In each house or residence, a community Mass

shall be celebrated at the death of the Pope or of
the Bishop of the local diocese.

7. Every Oblate or novice may celebrate, or have

celebrated, five Masses for a deceased father or
mother, and three Masses for a deceased sister
or brother. The Provincial shall arrange to have
the same suffrages applied for these relatives of
a deceased Oblate.

150
 SELECT INDEX

Abandoned: 5, 7b
See also Poor
Accountability: See Evaluation
Administration:
– extraordinary: 155, 155a, 156, 160a, 162
– General: 124, 129, 145
– ordinary: 154, 155
Admission:
– to installed ministries: 65g
– to the Novitiate: 51b, 54c, 55, 58a
– to Orders: 51b, 65g, 86b
– to permanent diaconate: 67c
– to vows: 51b, 59a, 60, 60c, 61, 106b
Animation: 53, 65b, 81, 82, 83c, 93, 101, 130, 134,
138, 144, 148c, 162a
Announce: 2, 5, 7, 7b, 7c, 7g, 8, 8a, 9, 11, 33, 47a, 66,
66b, 66c, 76
Annual contributions: See Finances
Anticipation:
– of first commitment: 59a
– of a General Chapter: 127a
Apostles: 3, 6, 45
– Paul: 4
– Peter: 6

151
Archives: 148b, 149a
Assistant(s):
– General: 140, 140a, 143b, 144, 146a, 147a
– local: 95
– Treasurer: see Treasurer
Associations (laity): 37a, 144a
Authority:
– of the General Chapter: 125
– of Jesus: 71
– of the Provincial: 100
– of the Superior General: 135
– of Superiors: 82
Authorization:
– for a Brother to be admitted as a candidate to Or-
ders: 67c
– to accept tasks offered by ecclesiastical authori-
ties: 26
– to change one’s will: 23
– to divest oneself of present and future posses-
sions: 23, 23b
– to elect a Provincial: 103, 104
– to elect Provincial councillors: 106a
– to interrupt one’s studies for a time: 66d
– to perform acts of extraordinary administration:
160a, 162
– to publish writings: 26
See also Permission
Availability:
– at the service of all: 15, 93a
– in community: 39, 39b, 82, 93a, 105, 134

152
– in the ministry: 7g, 25, 41a, 50, 52, 65d, 68, 76
– to God: 13, 25, 33
– to new things: 33a, 47a, 66a, 68
See also Hospitality
Baptism: 12
Beatitudes: 11
Bishops: 6, 7e, 9, 49d
Brothers:
– as local Superiors: 83a
– delegates to the General Chapter: 128a
– formation: 65, 67, 67a, 67b
– installed ministries: 65g
– members of the apostolic community: 1, 7, 7c, 38
– participant at Regional conference: 123f
– permanent diaconate or priesthood: 67c
Budget: See Finances
Call:
– missionary needs: 38a, 125
– of Christ: 1, 3, 14, 19, 24, 33, 34, 47, 50, 52, 55, 67c
– of the poor: 5, 9
– of the Spirit: 13, 25, 73
Celibacy: See Chastity
Charism(s):
– Oblate: 37a, 46, 65, 72a, 133
– of the Founder: 37a, 163
– of lay people: 7f
– personal: 72

153
Charity: 3, 15, 37, 38, 39, 44, 56a, 91a, 133, 160
See also Love
Chastity (Celibacy): 12, 14-18, 18a, 18b, 18c, 50, 62
Christ:
– and the Church: 15, 33
– call of Christ: 1, 14, 19, 52
– disciples of Christ: 6, 45
– Kingdom of Christ: 5, 11
– knowledge of Christ: 66a, 67a
– ministry of Christ: 66
– our Model: 19, 24, 29, 33, 45, 71
– Resurrection: 9
– Salvation in Christ: 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11
– union with Christ: 18b, 20, 31, 33, 36, 56, 65, 65a
– unity in Christ: 26, 31, 125
See also Jesus, Savior, Lord
Christian communities: 7, 7f, 53
Church:
– and religious community: 12
– authority, hierarchy: 9, 9a, 71
– covenant with Christ: 15, 45
– faith of the Church: 10
– in general: 1, 52, 53, 125
– local Churches: 6, 7, 76
– love for the Church: 6, 82
– needs of the Church: 7, 52, 68, 76, 80, 124, 131, 133
– prayer of the Church: 33
– sense of the Church: 25, 137c
– service of the Church: 5, 7c, 9, 26, 46, 51, 53, 72
– teaching, tradition of the Church: 51a, 66a, 69b

154
Collaboration: See Cooperation
Collegiality:
– collegial body: 108b, 127, 139, 139b, 146a, 147, 147a
– spirit of: 73, 131
Commitment(s):
– in general: 11, 45, 46, 48
– in the ministry: 7d, 9a, 18, 31, 51a, 91a, 107b
– religious: 17, 22, 23, 23a, 27, 30, 51b, 55, 59, 59a, 60,
60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 61, 61a
Committee(s)
– for finances: 157, 162b, 167b
– for formation: 49b, 49d, 167a
– general level: 123e, 146a, 149f
– precapitular: 127b, 146a
– provincial level: 108
Communications: 66c, 75, 99, 149d, 149f
– Oblate Communications Service, 149a
Community:
– apostolic community: 1, 3, 33, 37, 48, 67, 72, 75, 96
– community life: 29, 34, 38, 38a, 39, 39a, 39b, 41, 41a,
54, 54a, 54c, 56a, 74
– formation: 49, 51, 51a, 54, 54a, 54c, 65h, 65i, 66, 69a,
70
– local communities: 37b, 76, 79, 81, 83a, 91a, 92, 94b,
95a, 95b, 96, 100, 101, 105, 106d, 158, 158b, 158c,
160a
– obedience: 26, 26a
– prayer: 33, 35, 40
– prophetic sign: 11, 91
– religious community: 12, 21, 22a
– temporal goods: 22a, 22b, 158, 158a-c, 160a
155
Congregation: 75, 76, 124, 131

Congress: 108
See also Meetings

Consecration:
– consecrated celibacy: 14, 15, 16
– consecrated life: 13, 55, 67b
– religious: 7c, 17, 18a, 65
– to consecrate oneself: 10, 15
See also Vows

Consensus: 26a, 73

Consent: 86, 86b, 95a, 106b, 128c, 146, 155, 156,

160a, 162

Constancy: 29, 47, 54c

Constitutions and Rules: 77, 86a, 126, 146, 153,

163-166, 165a, 168

Consultation: 26b, 70c, 95b, 98, 108d, 137b

Contracts: 7e, 115b, 156

Conversion: 9, 47, 125

Convocation:
– in general: 86a, 86b, 88a
– of General Council: 146a
– of General Chapter: 127, 127a, 127b, 139
– of inter-Chapter meeting of Provincials: 128e
– of local Council: 95a
– of provincial Council: 106c

156
– of provincial electoral assembly: 104b
Cooperation:
– between Provinces: 49e, 70c, 73, 137c
– in the Church: 6, 76
– fraternal: 26, 93, 101
– in formation: 49, 49e, 70c
– with Christ: 1, 2, 33, 63
Council:
– General: 49a, 76, 86, 126, 128, 130, 131, 140, 141, 146,
146a, 146b, 146c, 147, 147a
– general norms: 86, 86a, 88a
– local: 95, 95a, 154
– of General Delegation: 112
– of Provincial Delegation: 111
– provincial: 101, 106, 106a-d, 107b
For administrative details, see Administrative Sum-
mary
Councillors:
– General: 140, 145, 145a-c, 146a, 147a
– provincial: 86b, 90b, 106, 106a, 107b, 146a
– spiritual: 33b, 33c, 65
Creation (integrity of): 9a
Creativity: 8, 46, 65b, 68
Cross: 4, 24, 34, 59
– Oblate cross: 63, 64
Culture: See Inculturation
Daring: 8, 65b
Death: 2, 43
– of Jesus: 4, 24
157
Deceased: 43, and Appendix
Delegation:
– general: 112, 128a
– in general: 79, 88b, 110, 113, 114a, 115, 128a, 138a,
151, 152
– provincial: 111, 128a
– superior of: 83-86, 100, 111, 128, 147a
– statutes: 111, 112, 114, 114a, 114b, 161
Detachment: 2, 12, 19, 21-23, 23a, 25, 67
See also Renunciation, Self-denial
Diaconate: 67c
Dialogue: 26b, 38a, 70, 81, 83c
Dignity: 8, 9a
Director of Residence: 77
Directory:
– administration of temporal goods: 153a, 155a,
167, 167b
– administrative: 123d, 167
– formation: 49d, 167
– general: 167
– provincial: 90a, 106a, 108d, 155a
– regional: 123d
Discernment: 7f, 9a, 9b, 26, 26a, 33a, 33b, 51, 53, 55,
66f, 67c, 68, 73, 82, 125, 131
Disciples of Christ: 6, 45, 50, 51, 71
Dispensations: 60a, 166
District: 77, 77a, 92b-d, 151a

158
Ecumenism: 6, 66a
Election(s):
– in general: 90a, 90b, 90c
– of the Assistants General: 141, 146a, 147a
– of Chapter delegates: 128, 128a, 128b
– of the General Council: 126, 141-142
– of the General Councillors: 141, 145a, 146a, 147a
– of a local Council: 95
– of a Provincial: 103, 104, 104a-d, 146a
– of a Pro-Vicar General: 143a, 146a
– of provincial councillors: 106a
– of the Superior General: 126, 136, 136a, 139
– of the Vicar General: 142, 143a, 146a
Eucharist: 33, 56
Eugene de Mazenod, St.: See Founder
Evaluation:
– of administration: 72a, 74, 91a, 114a, 118b, 123d
– of apostolic commitments: 7d, 38
– of inter-Chapter meeting: 128e
– of Oblate life: 93b
– of specialized studies: 69a
– through Province visitations: 105, 138b
Evangelical Counsels: 12
Evangelization: 1, 7, 7b, 9a, 45, 48, 71, 82, 133
Examination of conscience: 33
Exchange: 35, 49a, 49e, 69a, 122
See also Sharing
Faith: 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 26, 31, 33, 34, 41a, 47a, 50, 51a,
54c, 59, 65a, 66b, 67, 71, 82, 133

159
Father (God): 2, 6, 12, 16, 24, 29, 33, 59, 72
Fidelity: 7d, 16, 18, 18c, 29, 33, 37, 43, 46, 59, 76, 91,
131, 168
Finances:
– budget: 154, 154a, 162a
– committees and services: 149f
– contributions: 158, 159
– General Finance Committee: 157, 162b, 167b
– grants and assistance: 146a
– provincial Finance Committee: 157
– reports: 126a, 146a, 154a, 162a
Forgiveness: 33, 39, 40
Formation:
– aim and spirit: 45-49, 47a, 49a-49e
– committees and services: 146a, 149f
– formators: 49a, 49c, 49e, 51, 51a, 51b, 54a, 54b,
57a, 60c, 65, 66e, 68a, 95a
– initial formation: 50-67, 51a-67c, 123c, 144
– of Superiors: 83c
– ongoing formation: 68-70, 68a-70c, 123c, 144
– provincial Directory: 49d
Founder: 37, 56, 76, 124, 131, 133, 163, 168
Fraternal correction: 39
Fraternal help: 18a, 29, 39, 48, 65h
See also Support
Fraternity (fraternal life): 6, 18, 35, 37, 42, 53, 65b,
65h, 70b, 72, 81, 82, 89, 93, 93a, 105, 134, 145b, 158a
See also Charity, Community, Oblate family

160
Freedom: 9, 15, 23, 23a, 25, 48, 59, 65e, 90a, 91
Friendship: 18, 18b, 39, 41a, 56
General Chapter:
– aim: 125
– authority: 76, 125, 146a, 147, 165, 165a, 166
– Commissioner: 127b, 146a
– convocation: 127, 127a, 139
– decisions: 128d, 165a
– elections: 136, 141, 142
– members: 128, 128a, 128b, 128c, 145a
– Precapitular Commission: 127b, 146a
– preparation: 127b
– procedures: 126c, 164-165
Generosity: 49, 52, 133
God: 1, 2, 7, 7c, 8-11, 9a, 16, 25, 26, 31, 33, 33b, 35, 39,
42, 45, 56, 62, 65, 65a, 66, 68, 82, 125, 134
Gospel:
– announce the Gospel: 2, 5, 7c, 8a, 38, 66b, 76
– evangelical spirit: 8, 25, 41, 50, 76, 91
– evangelical workers: 41a
– light of the Gospel: 5, 65c
See also Scripture, Word of God
Government: 75, 76
– central: 110, 117a, 124, 128e, 129, 130, 145, 145c, 148,
148a
See also Structures
Grace: 12, 51, 53

Growth:
– of Christian communities: 7, 7f

161
– of Oblate community: 11, 37, 39, 93a
– personal: 12, 16, 18b, 33b, 33c, 46, 47, 49-51, 53, 56,
65-67, 65b, 69

Guide
See Councillor (spiritual), Spiritual Direction
Habit: See Religious habit
Holiness: 9, 149c, 163
Holy See: 126, 139a, 149a, 149b, 164
Holy Spirit: 3, 9a, 10, 13, 21, 25, 29, 32, 36, 45, 49,
56, 68, 72, 131
Hope: 4, 5, 10, 11, 20, 31, 59
Hospitality: 39b, 41, 41a, 91a
House(s)
– construction: 39a
– erection and closure: 77, 92, 92a, 92d
– General House: 128a
– life and prayer: 38
– structures: 75, 77, 78, 96, 98
– temporal goods: 22c, 151, 158, 158a, 158b
– welcome and hospitality: 39b, 41a, 53
See also Hospitality, Welcome
Humility: 8, 9, 10, 20, 33, 39, 82
Incarnate Word: 36, 67a, 68
Inculturation: 7, 8a, 47a, 49d, 51c, 66a, 69b, 115a,
120
Information: 95b, 128d
– Communications Service: 149d
162
– See also Communications
Inheritance: 22, 23, 23a, 23b
See also Patrimony
Initiative: 26, 70c, 81, 82, 145b
Internationality: 120a, 137c, 141a
Isolation: 38, 77, 92c, 93a
Jesus: 1-4, 12, 29, 31, 37, 45, 46, 50, 53, 59, 62, 71, 72a,
163
See also Christ, Saviour, Lord
Joy: 10, 21, 29, 33, 39, 52, 56a, 65b
Justice:
– Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Service:
149a
– ministry: 9a, 123c, 149a, 150b
– of God: 9, 11
– recourse: 89
Kingdom of God: 5, 6, 11, 14, 15, 32, 37, 42, 45, 46, 52
Laity: 7f, 18c, 37a, 37b, 91a, 144a
Law:
– Church (canon, common): 23, 44, 54c, 58, 60, 66d,
77, 86a, 89, 90, 92, 106b, 107, 126c, 146, 149c, 151,
151b
– civil: 23, 156
Letters:
– dimissorial: 65g
– vote by mail: 86c, 104a-c
Liturgy: 56

163
– of the Hours: 33
Lord: 3, 6, 11, 12, 15, 29, 31-34, 33a, 36, 38, 40, 51, 52,
53, 55, 56, 62, 71, 74, 81
Love:
– for the Church: 2, 6, 82
– for the Congregation: 51a, 59, 82
– for people: 15, 16, 18b
– for the poor: 54c, 82
– fraternal: 29
– of Christ: 34, 63, 71
– of God for us: 16, 59
– theological virtue: 11, 12, 16, 31, 65b
See also Charity, Friendship
Loyalty: 6, 26
Mary: 1, 10, 13, 36, 46, 62
Maturity: 18a, 50, 54, 54c, 65b, 69
Meditation: 33, 65a
See also Prayer
Meeting(s): 35, 38, 49a, 49e, 83c, 108, 108a, 123c,
125, 128e
– electoral: 103
– inter-Chapter: 128e
– Provincial: 108, 108a-c
See also Congress, Sessions
Ministry(ies)
– in general:7, 7a, 7b, 7g, 9a, 9b, 10, 33b, 33c, 37a, 40,
45, 49e, 57a, 65a, 65c, 65d, 68a, 69b, 72, 88b, 93a,
125, 150b
– installed: 65g
164
– of the Brothers: 7c, 67
– priestly: 65, 66f
Mission:
– of the Apostles: 3, 45
– of Christ: 1
– of the Church: 72
– of the Congregation: 30, 49, 50, 76, 82, 96, 100, 108a,
123c, 124, 125, 134, 144
– of the Founder: 56
– of the Oblates: 2, 4-6, 9, 9a, 11, 12, 20, 25, 26, 33, 37,
37a, 66f, 69, 145b
Mission (structure of government):
– statutes of a Mission: 118a, 118b, 161
– structures: 80, 117, 117a-c, 118, 118a, 118b
– superior of, 128
Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate: 37b
Missionary outlook: 126
Missions:
– abroad: 7b, 7e, 22c, 65d, 80, 146a, 149f
– parish: 7b, 149f
Mystery:
– of the Incarnate Word: 36
– of the Kingdom: 45
– of our cooperation: 33
– of salvation: 56
Needs: See Church, World

Novitiate:
– conditions: 54a, 54c
– duration and place: 58, 58a, 58b

165
– establishment: 58b
– formation: 55, 56, 56a-b, 57
– Master of novices: 55, 57, 57a
– prolongation: 59a
Obedience: 2, 3, 12, 24-28, 26a, 26b, 38, 62, 82
– first obedience, transfer: 65, 66f, 137, 137a, 137b
Oblate family: 30, 39b, 42, 56a, 91a, 125, 137c, 168
Oblation form: 62
Oblation: 2, 60d, 62, 65, 65e, 83e, 168
See also Commitment, Profession, Vows
Officials, General: 130, 146a, 146b, 148, 148a
Openness: See Availability
Orders: 65g, 86b
Parishes: 7e, 53, 158c
Participation:
– in apostolic orientations: 7a, 96, 108, 108a
– in Christ’s mission: 1, 2, 45, 66
– in Christ’s priesthood: 7c, 66
– in community life: 77, 86
– in the Congregation’s life and mission: 73, 125
– in formation programs: 49e
– in government: 73, 74, 90c
– of laity: 37a, 37b
Particular Statutes: See Delegation, Mission
Pastoral experience periods: 65c, 66d
Patience: 7g, 20, 134

166
Patrimony:
– of the Congregation: 168
– personal: 23, 23a, 156
– of the poor: 22a
Peace, inner: 31, 65b
Peace, action for: 9a, 149a
Penance: 34
People of God: 2, 6, 12, 35, 68
See also Church
Permission:
– acts of extraordinary administration: 160a, 162
– election of local Council: 95
– fourth term as a Superior: 94a
– modifying one’s patrimony: 23
– necessity: 83d
See also Authorization
Perseverance: 29, 30, 62
Philosophy: 66
Poor:
– call and needs of the poor: 8a, 9, 9a, 20, 22a, 54c,
56b, 65c, 67a, 69b, 150a, 150b
– evangelization of the poor: 1, 5, 8, 45, 71
– of Christ: 19
Pope: 6, 27
Postulator: 149a, 149c
Poverty:
– evangelical: 19, 50
– of Christ: 12

167
– religious commitment: 19-23, 22a, 22b, 22c, 23a,
62
– socio-economic: 8a, 9a, 56b, 150b
Prayer:
– of Christ: 6
– of the Church: 33
– community: 26, 31, 32, 33a, 35, 38, 40, 41a, 43, 52,
91, 91a
– formation: 56, 66b, 67a, 69a
– new forms: 33a
– personal: 18, 28, 31, 33, 33a, 33c, 35, 55, 66b, 67a,
82
– Rosary: 36
Preaching: See Announce
Pre-novitiate: 54, 54a-c
Priesthood: 7c, 66, 67c, 82
See also Orders, Priests
Priests: 1, 7, 7c, 38, 41a, 61a, 65, 65g, 66, 66f
See also Priesthood
Priorities: 7d, 69a, 91, 96, 145b
Probation: 59a, 60, 60a, 60c, 65f
Proclamation: See Announce
Procurator general: 128, 146c, 149a, 149b
Profession of faith: 85
Prolongation of term: 83b, 87
Prophetic:
– prophetic sign: 91

168
– prophetic voices: 9, 9b
Pro-Vicar General: 143a, 143b, 146a
Providence: 22a
Province(s):
– activities and apostolic priorities: 7a, 7d, 91, 96
– administration of goods: 22b, 22c, 95a, 152, 158,
158a, 159, 160a, 160b
– collaboration between the Provinces: 22c, 49e, 70c,
75, 99, 119
– collaboration within the Province: 93, 96, 108, 108a
– erection, modification or suppression: 97, 97a, 98,
98a-d, 146a
– procedures: 95-109, 90a, 90b, 106a, 106b, 108a, 108d
– the Provincial: 100, 101, 102, 102a, 102b, 102c
– Provincials: 128, 128e
– structures: 75, 76, 78, 79, 108a, 108b, 108d
For administrative details, see Administrative Sum-
mary
Prudence: 18a, 22a, 102
Recollection: 31, 33, 33c
Reconciliation: 7c, 7g, 33
Recourse: 60c, 89, 134
Reflection: 28, 35, 41a, 65c, 66a, 69a, 91, 125
Regional Conference: See Regions
Regions: 49a, 49b, 75, 76, 99, 119-122, 120a, 122a,
123a-f, 128a, 128b, 140a, 145, 145a, 145b, 147a
– Regional Conference: 121, 123, 123a-f, 128a, 128b,
162b

169
Religious habit: 64
Religious Institutes: 37c
Religious profession: 23, 63, 83
See also Commitment
Renewal: 2, 33, 35, 38, 68, 69, 69a, 69b, 70c, 105
– of religious commitment: 60a, 60c, 60d
Renunciation: 22, 23, 65b
See also Self-denial
Replacement or Substitute:
– of a Chapter member: 128c
– of a Superior: 61a, 83, 83f
– of the Superior or the Vicar General: 139, 143a,
143b, 146b
Reports, financial: See Finances
Residence: 77, 77b, 92b, 92d, 151a
– for youth: 53b
Resignation: 87, 139a, 148a
Respect for persons: 26b, 41a, 44, 70b, 82, 89, 93a
Responsibility
– of formators: 49c, 51, 57, 65c, 66e
– of General Council member responsible for asso-
ciations: 144a
– of General Council member responsible for for-
mation: 49a, 49b
– of laity: 7f
– of local Churches: 7
– of Oblates: 7, 7a, 7e, 26, 26b, 39, 49, 65b, 65e, 70,
72, 91a, 96, 138b
170
– of Superiors: 49, 70, 81, 99, 100, 131
– of the Treasurer General: 162a
Rest: 39b
Resurrection: 4, 9
Retreat: 35, 60d
Rights:
– of persons: 41a, 60c, 82, 89, 89a, 91, 151b
– to own property: 151
– voting rights: see Vote
Rosary: 36
Rules: See Constitutions and Rules
Sacraments: 7, 31, 33
See also Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation
Salvation: 1, 5, 8, 24, 37, 56, 125
Savior: 1, 4, 7g, 10, 33, 45, 63, 66a
Scholasticate (Scholastics): 65, 65i, 66, 66a-f
Scripture: 56, 66a
See also Gospel, Word of God
Secretary General: 148, 148a-b
Self-denial: 18, 34
Seminaries: 7e, 53b
Separation from the Congregation: 23a, 44, 60b
Service:
– apostolic, missionary: 7c, 31, 35, 40, 50, 102a, 150
171
– authority as service: 71, 100, 102a, 131
– of Brothers: 7c, 65, 67, 123f, 128a
– community: 39, 40, 137c
– of the Church, of the People of God: 2, 5, 35, 46, 72
– of neighbor: 7, 15, 65c
Services:
– general: 132, 149, 149a, 149f
– interprovincial: 145b
Sessions:
– of the General Council – ordinary: 146b
– of the General Council – plenary: 127b, 139, 139b,
146a, 147, 147a, 148a
– of renewal: 69a, 70c
Sharing:
– between Oblates: 20, 21, 22c, 28, 39, 65a, 71, 72a,
82, 83c, 91a, 99, 125, 131, 158a
– with our guests: 41a
– with the poor: 9a, 20, 22a, 150a
See also Exchange
Sick: 42
Sign:
– distinctive (Oblate cross): 64
– witness: 11, 15, 26, 29, 41, 59, 81, 91
– of vocation: 54, 54c
Silence: 31, 33
Simplicity:
– community: 39, 39b
– poverty: 21, 56b
– preaching: 7g

172
Solidarity:
– between Oblates: 38, 72a, 73, 92
– with the poor: 9a, 20
Spiritual Direction: 18a, 33b, 33c, 51a
See also Councillor (Spiritual)
Structures: 72, 72a, 96
See also Oblate community, Delegation, Govern-
ment, Mission, Province, Regions
Studies
– General Service of Oblate Studies, 149a
– initial formation: 65, 65a, 66, 66a, 66b, 67
– in Rome: 137b, 137c
– interruption: 66d
– ongoing formation: 33, 69a, 137b
– sessions: 70c
Subsidiarity: 72a, 152
Suffering: 4, 10, 34, 42
Superiors:
– at all levels: 7a, 9, 9a, 26, 26b, 27, 33c, 62, 70, 74, 81-
87, 83a-f, 124
– Delegation: See Delegation
– ecclesiastical: 26
– local: 38, 61a, 77, 85, 92a, 93a, 93b, 94a, 94b, 95a,
95b, 93, 94, 101, 158, 158c 166
– Major Superiors: 23, 54b, 58, 60, 61a, 65g, 84, 156,
166
– Provincial: 86, 99-108, 102a-c, 104a-d
– Scholasticate: 65g, 66e
– Superior General: 61, 76, 85, 86, 130-139, 136a, 137a-
c, 138a-c, 139a-b, 143a-b, 146a-d, 147a, 148a-c, 149a-
c, 162, 162a-b, 166, 167, 167a-b
173
For administrative details, see Administrative
Summary
Support:
– community, fraternal: 37, 39, 42, 48, 51, 56a, 65h,
75, 81, 91a, 93b
– financial: 21, 159
– formation: 48, 51, 56a, 65h, 70
– government: 75
– spiritual: 33b
Suppression:
– of a district community: 92d
– of an established house, a constituted house: 92d
– of a novitiate: 58b
– of a Province: 98, 98c
– of a residence: 92d
Talents: 7f, 26, 26b, 39, 53, 66c, 70c
Temporal goods:
– collective witness: 21
– non-Oblate goods: 156, 158c
– Oblate goods: 22a, 22b, 22c, 144, 150-162, 150b,
151a, 151b, 158a-c
– patrimony: 23, 23a, 23b
– usage and renunciation: 22
Term of Office:
– general Council: 141
– General Officials: 148a
– local Superiors: 87, 94, 94a
– Pro-Vicar General: 143a, 143b
– provincial Councillors: 106a
– Provincials: 87, 102
174
– provincial Treasurer: 109a
– Superior General: 136
– Vicar General: 142
– Vicar Provincials: 107b
Theology: 51a, 66
Tradition(s):
– of the Church: 51a, 65a, 66a
– of the Congregation: 7b, 7g, 33, 56, 65, 168
– religious/cultural: 8a, 51c, 66a
Transfer:
– of novitiate: 58b
– of obedience: 137, 137b
Treasurer(s):
– assistant provincial Treasurer: 160b
– assistant general Treasurer: 162b
– general: 128, 146c, 148, 160a, 162a, 162b
– in general: 88, 88a, 153, 154, 154a
– local: 158c
– provincial: 88b, 109, 109a, 160, 160a
Trust (Confidence)
– in God: 8, 22a, 59
– mutual: 48, 73, 82, 93a, 108a
Units (electoral): 128a, 128b
Unity:
– of the Apostles: 3
– of Christians: 6
– of Oblates: 1, 3, 12, 26, 37, 38, 70c, 72, 75, 82, 108a,
125, 133, 137c
– of religious apostolic life: 31, 56, 69

175
Urgent cases: 23, 86c, 106b, 106d, 146b
Urgent needs:
– of the Church and the world: 7, 16, 52
See also Church, Needs of the Church, World
Values:
– cultural: 47a, 51c, 66a
– evangelical: 66c
– of the Kingdom: 6
– of people: 5, 8, 66c, 72a
Vicar General: 84, 140, 142, 143, 143a, 143b, 144,
144a, 146a
Vicar Provincial: 84, 107, 107a, 107b
Visit(s):
– by the Provincial: 105, 105a, 108a
– by the Superior General: 138, 138a-c, 144
Vocation: 7d, 49b, 50-54, 51c, 53a, 53b, 54c, 56, 66d,
67, 81, 91
Vote:
– of Councils: 86a-d
– of the General Chapter: 126c, 145a
– of the Major Officials: 146b
– of Provinces, Delegations: 86a, 103, 104, 104a-d,
128a
– of the provincial Council: 86a, 106, 106a
– required majority: 90a, 103, 104, 126c, 136, 142,
164, 165
– right to vote: 86a, 90, 90a, 90b, 90c, 128a
Vows: 1, 12, 17, 22, 27, 30, 60, 60a, 61, 61a, 62, 67c, 83
– receiving vows: 61a
176
Will (civilly valid): 23, 23a
Will of God: 24, 25, 26, 40, 125
Witness: 7, 7c, 9, 15, 16, 21, 25, 30, 37, 66b, 67, 149c
See also Sign
Word of God: 7, 7c, 7g, 31, 33, 47a, 65a, 66, 67a, 68
See also Gospel, Scripture
World:
– in general: 10, 11, 29, 33, 68, 76, 91
– needs of the: 51a, 52, 125, 131
– new world: 9, 20, 25
– of the poor: 9a, 67a
– redeemed: 4, 12
Writings: 26
Youth: 7b, 53, 53b
Zeal: 2, 33, 37, 45, 76, 133

177
 EXCERPTS FROM THE
CONSTITUTIONS BY THE FOUNDER

Part One
6. Co-workers with the Saviour:
CC-RR 1818, Première partie, chap. 1, § 3, N.B.
8 To preach Christ crucified:
CC-RR 1826, Première partie, chap. 3, § 1, art. 5;
(CC-RR 1928: art. 98)
With Jesus on the Cross:
CC-RR 1826, Deuxième partie, chap. 2, § 3, art.
1; (CC-RR 1928: art. 263)
14 Simplicity in preaching:
CC-RR 1818, Première partie, chap. 3, § 1; (CC-
RR 1928: art. 97)
The ministry of Reconciliation:
CC-RR 1826 (and 1818), Première partie, chap.
3, § 2, art. 1; (CC-RR 1928: art. 118)
22 Apostolic poverty:
CC-RR 1818, Deuxième partie, chap. 1, § 1 and
1859 (Résumé pour les Frères);
(CC-RR 1928: art. 176)
26 The vow of obedience:
CC-RR 1826 (and 1818), Deuxième partie, chap.
1, § 3; (CC-RR 1928: art. 222)
32 To become another Jesus Christ:
CC-RR 1818, Deuxième partie, chap. 1; (CC-RR
1928: art. 287-290)

179
38 Obedience and community:
CC-RR 1821 (and 1825), Deuxième partie,
chap. 1, § 3, art. 7; (CC-RR 1928: art. 233)
Fraternal charity:
CC-RR 1826 (and 1853), Troisième partie,
chap. 3, § 2, art. 17-19; (CC-RR 1928: art. 714-
716)
42 Community life and the apostolate:
CC-RR 1825, Deuxième partie, chap. 2, § 1,
art. 8, N.B.; (CC-RR 1928: art. 253, N.B.)

Part Two
44 The Oblate ideal:
CC-RR 1826 and 1853, Troisième partie, chap.
2, § 1, art. 19; (CC-RR 1928: art. 697)
50 Formation team:
CC-RR 1853, Première partie, chap. 3, § 1, art.
14-15; (CC-RR 1928: art. 61-62)
62 The Oblate cross:
CC-RR 1818, Deuxième partie, chap. 1; (CC-
RR 1928: art. 309)
Servants of the Church:
CC-RR 1825 (and 1853), Troisième partie,
chap. 2, § 1, art. 1; (CC-RR 1928: art. 682)
66 Scholastics:
CC-RR 1853, Première partie, chap. 3, § 1, art.
1; (CC-RR 1928: art. 48)

180
Part Three
90 The local Superior:
CC-RR 1825, Troisième partie, chap. 1, § 7, art.
5; (CC-RR 1928: art. 583-584)
96 The Provincial:
CC-RR 1853, Troisième partie, chap. 1, § 7, art.
33; (CC-RR 1928: art. 548)
124 The Superior General:
CC-RR 1825, Troisième partie, chap. 1, § 2, art.
5-6; (CC-RR 1928: art. 433)
146 Cor unum et anima una:
Letter convoking the 1850 General Chapter;
(CC-RR 1928: art. 291)

181
 ADMINISTRATIVE SUMMARY
for Superiors and Councils

THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

I – WITH HIS COUNCIL

ACTING COLLEGIALLY

The Superior General, or the Vicar General, and his

Council, in Plenary Session, act as a Collegial Body:
1. To elect a Vicar General or Pro-Vicar General (R
143a);
2. To elect an Assistant General or General Council-
lor (R 147a);
3. To convoke an extraordinary General Chapter (C
127);
4. To convoke a Chapter for the purpose of electing
the Superior General and his Council (C 139);
5. To determine if the Superior General is so dis-
abled that he must be replaced: its findings are
submitted to the Holy See for verification (R
139b);
6. To dismiss a professed member, observing the
canonical prescriptions and obtaining the con-
firmation of the Holy See (C 44; can. 699);
7. In the other areas determined by the General
Chapter (C 147).

183
II – WITH HIS COUNCIL IN A PLENARY OR
AN ORDINARY SESSION

PRINCIPLES

A. In Plenary Session

The Superior General and his Council decide in

plenary session:

1. All matters in which they act as a Collegial

Body (cf. above), except nº 7;
2. Major items of business, as determined by the
Constitutions and Rules, the Chapter, or the
Superior General in Council (C 147; R 146a).

B. In Ordinary Session

The Superior General and his Council decide in or-

dinary session (C 86):

1. All matters which require the intervention of

the Council but no further precision is indicat-
ed (R 146b);
2. Cases which require immediate action, even if
they pertain to matters ordinarily reserved to
plenary sessions (R 146b);
3. Cases where common law requires the inter-
vention of the Council, even if not mentioned
in the Constitutions and Rules.

184
APPLICATIONS

The consent of the Council is required in the follow-

ing cases:

A. Concerning the General Chapter

1. To determine the place and date of the Chapter
and the principal questions to be proposed for
its agenda (plenary session) – (RR 127a, 127b,
127c, 146a);
2. To appoint the Commissioner of the Chapter
and the other members of the Precapitular Com-
mission (plenary session) – (RR 127b, 146a);
3. To approve the composition of the electoral units
as well as the procedures for election before the
election of the delegates to the Chapter and alter-
nates (R 128a);
4. To convoke a Meeting of Provincials between
Chapters (128e).

B. Concerning the General Administration

1. To appoint the General Officers (plenary session)
– (R 148a);
2. To ask for the resignation of a General Officer (R
148a);
3. To designate a member of the Council to be re-
sponsible for formation (R 49a);
4. To establish or discontinue General Services (ple-
nary session) – (C 149);
185
5. To appoint the Directors of General Services
(plenary session) – (R 149a);
6. To designate the members of the General For-
mation Committee (plenary session) – (R 146a);
7. To appoint the members of the General Fi-
nance Committee (R 162b);
8. To determine the composition of Regions (ple-
nary session) – (C 120; R 146a);
9. To confirm a Regional Administrative Directory
after approval by the Conference of the Region
(R 123d);
10. To delegate a General Councilor with govern-
mental power for determined actions, to be
specified in his Council, within one or several
Regions and Units (R 145c);
11. To establish a General Delegation, determine
its statute, appoint its Superior and Council
(plenary session) – (C 112; R 146a);
12. To accept a new Mission under the immedi-
ate authority of the Superior General (plenary
session) – (RR 117c, 146a);
13. To establish a local community directly under
the Superior General, appoint its Superior and
Council (R 92a);
14. Promulgate specialized Directories applicable to
all or certain parts of the Congregation (C 167);
15. To approve the general norms for Oblate for-
mation (RR 49a; 167a);
186
16. To approve the General Finance Directory (R
167b);
17. To determine the financial policy of the Congre-
gation in line with the indications given by the
General Chapter (C 162; R 146a);
18. To determine the maximum amount the Superi-
or General personally may spend or the extraor-
dinary expenses he may authorize (C 162);
19. To incur debts or obligations, perform acts of
extraordinary administration, or alienate Oblate
property for more than the amount authorized
for the Superior General acting alone (C 162);
20. To approve expenditures from the funds of the
Congregation which are under the direct control
of the General Administration when the amount
in question exceeds what is within the compe-
tence of the Superior General alone (C 162);
21. To approve the incurring of debts or obligations
or the alienation of property, where there is ques-
tion of possessions or funds under the direct con-
trol of the General Administration (C 162);
22. To allocate funds for the missions and review
financial requests by Provinces and Delegations
(plenary session) (R 146a);
23. To examine and approve the financial report of
the General Administration (plenary session) (R
146a);
24. To allow the General Treasurer, or others at the
General level, to accept the administration of

187
 non-Oblate enterprises or ecclesiastical prop-
erty not belonging to the Institute (C 156).

C. Concerning the Provinces

1. To appoint a Provincial or confirm his election
by the Province (Plenary Session) (CC 102-
103; R 146a);
2. To prolong the powers of a Provincial for a
short time, or appoint a temporary Adminis-
trator for a Province (C 87);
3. To remove a Provincial from office before his
term has expired (C 87);
4. To appoint the Provincial Councillors or con-
firm their election by the Province (plenary
session) – (RR 106a, 146a);
5. To confirm the appointment of a Vicar Provin-
cial (R 107a);
6. To confirm the appointment of the Provincial
Treasurer (C 109);
7. To confirm the appointment of a Pre-Novi-
tiate Director (R 54b);
8. To confirm the appointment of the Superior
and the members of the formation team for
the scholasticate community (R 66e);
9. To confirm the appointment of a Novice Mas-
ter (C 57);
10. To approve the establishment of a novitiate
(R 58b);
188
11. To approve the establishment of a post-novitiate
formation community (R 65i);
12. To approve by a written decree the place of a no-
vitiate, to transfer or suppress it (R 58b; can. 647,
§1);
13. To allow exceptionally a candidate to make his
novitiate in a house of the Congregation other
than an established novitiate (R 58b; can. 647, §2);
14. To confirm the admission of candidates to per-
petual vows (C 61);
15. To decide the case of a member who, feeling un-
justly excluded from the renewal of temporary
commitment, has recourse to the Superior Gen-
eral in Council (R 60c);
16. To allow a Brother to prepare for admission to
the permanent diaconate or to the priesthood (R
67c);
17. To grant, at their own request, an indult to leave
the Institute to members in temporary vows, ac-
cording to the norms of the Church’s common
law (R 60b; can. 688, §2);
18. To establish a Province or suppress it, to unite
existing Provinces or change their boundaries
(Plenary Session) (C 98; R 146a);
19. To allow exceptions to the norm regarding the
proper functioning and stability of a province
(R 98b);
20. To confirm the erection of a Provincial Delega-
tion and approve its particular statute (C 111);

189
21. To allow the members of a Province to elect
the Provincial or the Provincial Council (C 103;
R 106a);
22. To approve the Provincial Directory (R 108d);
23. To approve changes in the structures of a Prov-
ince (R 108c);
24. To confirm the proposal of a Province asking
that certain matters be decided by the Provin-
cial and Council acting collegially (R 108b);
25. To authorize the reappointment of a local Supe-
rior for a fourth term (R 94a);
26. To suppress a canonically established house
(R 92d);
27. To accept a new Mission attached to a Province
or to a group of Provinces (plenary session) and
approve a general contract between a Province
and the local Ordinary (C 117; RR 7e, 117c, 146a);
28. To allow a Province take charge of a major sem-
inary or educational institution, to accept a par-
ish in perpetuity, or to undertake some work
which is not customary among us, as also to
relinquish any of the above (R 7e);
29. To determine the limits of financial competen-
cy of Provincial and Delegation authorities and
the amount which each Province or Delegation
contributes annually to the support of the Gen-
eral Administration (C 159);
30. To approve expenditures, alienations, the con-
tracting of debts or obligations on the part of
190
 the Provinces and houses, when the amount in-
volved exceeds that allowed to the Provincial in
Council (C 162);

Note: For alienations, debts or obligations which ex-

ceed the amount approved by the Holy See for each
country, recourse to the Holy See is also required
(can. 638, §3).

31. In a grave and urgent case to intervene in the ad-

ministration of a Province or house in order to do
something usually done by Provincials or local
Superiors, or to correct or annul any of their acts
or decisions (R 146d);
32. To establish a procedure for the examination of
a situation where an Oblate feels his rights are
being jeopardized (R 89a).

III - THE CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL IS NOT

REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING CASES
1. To give approval for criteria used by a unit for
recognition of its associations of the laity (R 37a);
2. To give approval to a unit’s superior for an Ob-
late to live outside a Province’s geographic terri-
tory if the stay exceeds one year (R 137b);
3. To give the first obedience, transfer a member
from one Province to another or call Oblates to
Rome (C 137; R 137c);

4. To invite up to two Oblates as members of the

General Chapter (R 128a);

191
5. To allow an Oblate in formation to orient him-
self towards a specific pastoral ministry or mis-
sionary field (R 65d);
6. To confirm the decision of a Provincial remov-
ing a local Superior from office before the expi-
ration of his term (C 87);
7. To authorize a Provincial in Council to choose
another Oblate to replace him at the Chapter
(R 128c);
8. To authorize an elected delegate to the Chapter
to yield his place to the alternate (R 128c);
9. To dispense individuals and communities from
disciplinary prescriptions of the Constitutions
and Rules for an indefinite period (C 166);
10. To approve the Provincial Directory of Forma-
tion (R 49d);
11. To delegate to other Major Superiors, with the
consent of their Council, the authorization to
allow an Oblate to renounce his patrimony, in
whole or in part (R 23b; can. 137, §1; 596; 668, §4).

THE PROVINCIAL

A. Besides other cases mentioned in the Church’s

common law, the Provincial, with the consent of
his council, is empowered:
1. To appoint one or more permanent Vicars Pro-
vincial (C 107) subject to confirmation by the
Superior General in Council (R 107a);

192
2. To appoint the Superior of a Provincial Delega-
tion, subject to confirmation by the Superior Gen-
eral in Council (C 111);
3. To appoint the Provincial Treasurer, with the
confirmation of the Superior General in Council
(C 109);
4. To appoint the Superior of a local community or
the Director of a residence (C 94);
5. To prolong the powers of a local Superior or of
the Superior of a Mission for a short time or ap-
point a temporary Administrator (C 87);
6. To remove a local Superior before his term has
expired, with the confirmation of the Superior
General (C 87);
7. To appoint the local Council or confirm the elec-
tion of the same (C 95);
8. To appoint the local treasurer (C 95);
9. To appoint the members of the formation team
(R 49c) and the Novice Master (C 57). The ap-
pointment of the Pre-Novitiate Director, the
Novice Master, and the Superior and the forma-
tion team for scholastics is to be submitted for
the approval of the Superior General in Council
(C 57; RR 54b, 66e);
10. To choose another Oblate with the consent of the
Superior General to replace him at the General
Chapter if he himself cannot attend (R 128c);
11. To admit candidates to vows whether temporary
or perpetual. Admission to perpetual vows re-

193
 quires the confirmation of the Superior General
in Council (C 61);
12. To present candidates for promotion to Orders
(R 65g);
13. To admit a Brother as a candidate for perma-
nent diaconate or priesthood and in due time
present him for ordination; his admission as a
candidate requires the approval of the Superior
General in Council (R 67c);
14. By delegation of the Superior General, to allow
an Oblate to renounce his patrimony, in whole
or in part (R 23b; can. 137, §1; 596; 668, §4);
15. To grant an Oblate, for reasons of ill-health,
studies or ministry pursued in the name of the
Congregation, to live outside a community for
as long as needed, or up to a year for another
just reason (can. 665, §1);
16. To allow an Oblate to live outside the territo-
ry of the province for more than one year, with
approval by the Superior General (R 137b),
Note: if the absence is for reason of study, only
notification of the Superior General is needed
(R 137b);
17. To declare the ipso facto dismissal of a professed
Oblate in the cases indicated in the Church’s
common law (can. 694, §2);
18. To establish a Provincial Delegation and deter-
mine its statute. The confirmation of the Supe-
rior General is required (C 111);

194
19. To constitute a local community (C 92); approve the
particular statute for a district or residence (R 92b);
20. To change the composition of a district, sup-
press a residence, propose to the Superior Gen-
eral the suppression of a canonically established
house (R 92d);
21. To determine the location of a novitiate (can.
647, §1), with the approval of the Superior Gen-
eral in Council (R 58b). The establishment of a
post-novitiate formation community also re-
quires the approval of the Superior General in
Council (R 65i);
22. In a grave and urgent case, to intervene person-
ally in the administration of a local community
in order to do something usually done by the
local Superior or to correct or annul any of his
acts and decisions (R 106d);
23. To draw up the electoral procedures for the
Province (R 90a);
24. To propose changes in provincial government
structures to be submitted to the approval of the
Superior General in Council (R 108c);
25. To set up Provincial Committees and organize
various Province meetings, determining their
composition, functions and terms of reference
(C 108), for example, the formation committee
(R 49d), the finance committee (C 157), etc.;
26. To organize regular meetings with the local
Superiors of the Province or a congress of the
Province (C 108);
195
27. To act as a Collegial Body for decisions on cer-
tain matters proposed by a general meeting of
the Province (R 108b);
28. To approve the Provincial Directory (R 108d)
and the Provincial Directory for Formation (R
49d). Both texts are to be submitted to the Su-
perior General for his approval (RR 49d, 108d);
29. To accept parishes in perpetuity or the other
works mentioned in Rule 7e; the confirmation
of the Superior General in Council is required
(R 7e). Contracts are to be drawn up in due and
proper form for the administration of non-Ob-
late ecclesiastical goods (C 156);
30. To determine what funds can be handled by lo-
cal houses or individuals (C 158); determine the
financial competency of local Superiors, acting
with or without their Council, and establish the
amount which local communities are to con-
tribute to the Provincial funds (C 158);
31. To fix the limits of the rights of canonically es-
tablished houses concerning the administration
of temporal goods (C 151);
32. In the management of the temporalities of the
Province, to authorize extraordinary expendi-
tures, alienations, incurring of debts or obliga-
tions, when the amount involved exceeds the
competency of the Provincial alone (C 155; R
160a); when the amount exceeds the compe-
tency of the Provincial in Council, the decision
requires the approval of the Superior General

196
 in Council and, if necessary, an indult from the
Holy See (C 162).

B. The Provincial does not require the consent of

his Council for the following:

1. To admit a candidate to the novitiate (C 55;

can. 641);
2. To prolong the novitiate (R 59a; can. 653, §2);
3. To allow the anticipation of first profession, but
not beyond fifteen days (R 59a; can. 649, §2);
4. To allow the anticipation of the renewal of
temporary commitment or the making of per-
petual vows, but not beyond the limits estab-
lished by the Church’s common law (R 60a;
can. 657);
5. To admit candidates to the ministries and,
personally or through a delegated priest, in-
stall them in the same (R 65g);
6. To grant dimissorial letters for ordination, ei-
ther personally or through his delegate (R 65g;
can. 1019, §1);
7. To grant permission for undertaking special-
ized studies (R 69a);
8. To appoint the Director of ongoing formation
(R 70b);
9. To appoint an Assistant Provincial Treasurer
(R 160b);

197
10. To transfer members within the Province and to
assign the offices or ministries, excepting those
cases where the Constitutions and Rules require
the intervention of the Council (C 26; R 26b);
11. To grant the nihil obstat for acts of extraordinary
administration in the case of non-Oblate enter-
prises or of ecclesiastical property (C 156);
12. To allow an Oblate to change his last will (C 23)
or to make changes in the deeds concerning the
administration, use and usufruct of his personal
patrimony (C 23);
13. To grant permission to an Oblate to publish
writings on religious or moral matters (C 26;
can. 832);
14. At the request of an Oblate priest or deacon, to
institute the required canonical process for ob-
taining his return to the lay state (Congregation
for the Clergy);
15. To initiate the process in the case of formal dis-
missal, according to the norms of the Church’s
common law (can. 695, 697);
16. Expel forthwith from the local community a
member who is a cause of grave external scan-
dal or of very grave and imminent harm to the
Institute, observing the norms of the Church’s
common law (can. 703);
17. Dispense individuals and communities from
disciplinary prescriptions of the Constitutions
and Rules for a limited period of time (C 166).

198
 Stampa:

Tipografia Giammarioli, Frascati (RM)

Finito di stampare: febbraio 2019