Pope Francis met on October 7 with members of the Missionary Oblates
of Mary Immaculate, who recently concluded a meeting of their general
chapter. The Pope reminded the Oblates that their religious order was founded by St. Eugene de Mazenod after he experienced a profound feeling of Christ’s mercy, while praying before the crucifix on Good Friday. “May mercy always be at the heart of your mission,” the Pope said.
The early work of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate was among the poor of Provence in the wake of the French Revolution.
The order has since become known for tackling the most difficult missionary assignments.
“Today every land is a land of mission,” Pope Francis told them. “Every dimension of the human being is a land of missino that awaits the proclamation of the Gospel.”