Frank Santucci OMI
On Saturday, August 27th, twenty people had the opportunity to listen to Frank Santucci OMI, speak about St. Eugene, about the Oblates and about the Oblate charism. All who came certainly knew of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate either through their parish involvement or through years of working in Oblate ministry. The day had been requested for Associates (and vowed Oblates) who would not be able to take part in the upcoming retreat which would be given by Frank, but was open to lay people from local Oblate parishes.
Why Do We Hang Around These Oblates?
The morning began as Frank asked all of us “who are you? And why do you hang around these Oblates?” It would be so easy to tell you that he guided us through the life experiences and forces of Eugene, as well as the founding of the congregation. But there was much more than that. Frank shared with us his knowledge of Eugene, how he lived, why he did what he did, his strengths and frailties. He talked about the Oblate charism being a dream. Martin Luther King had a dream, Nelson Mandela had a dream and Eugene de Mazenod had a dream. Eugene’s dream was one that was full of fire and passion; a dream that was a driving force; a dream that became a way of life.
Who is God for me? Who am I? What must I do?
He talked about “the foundational experience.” Who is God for me? Who am I? What must I do? We were led us through the key elements of spirituality. Oblation: what gives me life? Oblation: an action through which the Christian offers him/herself to God. It is a gift of self. More than doing it is a way of being. It means a commitment to spirituality. It means a way of life. This Oblate charism which, with the canonization of Eugene, now belongs to the entire church.
Various Ways of Being a Part of the Oblate Family
We learned about the various ways of being a part of the Oblate Family, which he referred to it most often as the Mazenodian Family . He talked about the priests and brothers, all around the world, about the Honorary Oblates, the Oblate Sisters and the Oblate Associates saying that they are all “co-operators of Christ the Saviour;” about the many people who make up M.A.M.I. around the world, and about the Partners in Mission. So many ways of living the charism in today’s world; of living God’s call to each of us. We ended the day with the Mazenodian Mass in one of the chapels at Deschatelets.
Teaching Us the Mazenodian Way of Mission
I only wish that I could share with you the richness of that day. Instead I offer a few comments from some of those who were there.
“I am so grateful to have experienced this session. For me, it was hearing about the small details of Eugene’s humanity and yet how after his initial conversion he remained faithful to his Saviour’s call to serve the marginalized. Frank has obviously studied Eugene’s life and letters and has acquired the same zeal and compassion as he teaches us the Mazenodian Way of Mission.”
“Now I know why I am here (in ministry) with the Oblates”.
The Oblates Are Like a Family
Another asked for a copy of St. Eugene’s first homily at the Church of the Madeleine. It spoke so clearly to him, where he is in his life.
“I feel that the charism of the Oblates is because they have the heart of a mother. Like a mother they reach out to the most helpless, defenceless of God’s children. I had no knowledge of the Oblates until I became a parishioner at St. Joe’s sixteen years ago. During these years I became more and more aware of something special about the Oblates. They were and are just like a family but a happy united family (from my seeing). It was a mystery to me what was their recipe for this wonderful unity. Fr. Frank Santucci gave me the insight that the Oblate have the tender warm love of a mother.”
We must lead people to act like human beings
“I like learning more about the life of Eugene de Mazenod and the early history. And the current picture of Oblates being active in sixty-seven countries, working especially with youth, the poor and women. But it wasn’t only history and current events. Father Frank challenged his listeners to live life within the Oblate charism. ‘We must lead people to act like human beings first of all, and then like Christians, and finally we must help them to become saints.’ It was very encouraging to hear the call to lay people to be involved with the Oblates. Oblation was presented as a ‘specific way of living our baptism commitment to a spirituality, a way of life.’ The speaker was very informative. In fact, Father Frank was spellbinding.”
Thank you Frank, for sharing with us your love and knowledge of Eugene, your love for all the members of the Mazenodian Family, and for guiding us yet further on our journey together.
Our John Malazdrewich, OMI, was one of two Canadians who took part in the public ceremonies (December 17 and 18, 2011) that beatified the twenty-two Oblate martyrs and the one lay man from the 1936 civil war in Spain.
My name is Cosmas Kithinji Kubai. I was born in Meru District which is in the Eastern Provence of Kenya, on 3rd Dec 1985. I first heard of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate from a school mate, and later on in 2004 I met their vocation promoter, who had come to lead a recollection in St Pius X Seminary where I was doing my High Schooling.
I come from western part of Kenya, specifically Nyanza Province. We are eight in our family, three girls and five boys. I am sixth born and we are all Catholics. My parents both participate in church activities (choir).
I am Josephat Gichana Oenga from the Diocese of Kisii, Western Kenya. I was born in the year 1987 into a family of seven: two brothers and four sisters. I came to know the Oblates while in the minor seminary when Fathers Joe Jacek and Fidel Munkiele came to promote Vocations.
Mwiti James was born on 26/12/1987. I grew up in Igandene village which is a prayer house of the Kionyo Parish. During my early years I attended primary and high school within the schools around the vicinity which I was living. I was brought up by my both parents namely, Francis and Jacinta.
My name is Henry Mbae wa Nabea. I hail from Meru diocese which is in the eastern province of Kenya. I was born and raised up in a Catholic family, and therefore , I was introduced to the teachings of the Church at an early age. The seed of faith was planted in me by my beloved parents who never abdicated their parental role to instil Christian values in us. I am grateful to them for that. In my family I am privileged to have eight siblings; three brothers and four sisters. I am the fifth born and the second son.
In the next moment we saw Chris pick up a gun. He shoot once. Again everyone stopped. The boat slowly made a little turn around and we could see in thirty seconds that on the side of the boat facing us was a big whale’s tail. The boat was moving slowly toward the shore where crowd of people gathered.