Rome, September 8, 2001

Dear Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate,

     The last General Chapter called the Oblates men of hope. It has spoken of that immense hope in us which is grounded in our God who “continues to believe in women and men.” (cf. EPM 8) This 8th  December is the symbolical date for all our 75 provinces, delegations and missions to set out on a journey of daring and renewal that will lead us to the next Chapter in 2004.

     The Immense Hope project is not primarily for ourselves. Its main insistence will be to ask ourselves again and again how our missionary practices can be “in step with the reality of today's world and with God's specific call to us through our charism.” (EPM 19) We find our world so much changed at the beginning of the third millennium. God’s Word became flesh at the start of the first thousand years but he must become tangible in flesh and blood also today. It can happen through us if our Yes is as generous as Mary’s oblative answer: I am the servant of the Lord.

     “The Congregation’s vitality and effectiveness depend largely on the local community.” (C 76) It is to you, members of the local communities that the first and decisive steps of our Project are entrusted. Everybody is important in a community: the old and the young, the wise and the inexperienced, those in good health and the infirm. Everybody can be appointed God’s messenger, like young Daniel (cf. Dan 13,50.)  If we listen to each other and discern together, our missionary dreams will come true.

     Dear Brother Oblates, I invite you to trust this road which will be mapped out in each Oblate Unit in a way best suited to its mission. We need not be perfect to start it, we need only to be prepared for renewal. The 8th December is the feast of Mary’s holiness. In her, full of grace, we see the great things that God is willing to do for us. She is the morning star of the Immense Hope that animates us and the patroness of the missionary spring that will result from it.

Fraternally in Christ and Mary Immaculate

Wilhelm Steckling, O.M.I.
Superior General