History:

Around 1985 at Santa Teresita parish in Mexicali, Baja California, Vocation Director for the Western United States Province Tom Rush, OMI, and Parochial Vicar Bill Antone, OMI, gathered a group of 4 young men who were interested in discerning a possible vocation as Missionary Oblates. The idea was to “discern together” in community and with Oblates in community. The idea continued to be put into practice in Mexicali, San Fernando and Tijuana. The sense evolved into an invitation by Oblates living in community to “join” the Oblate community once a week for prayer, reflection on an Oblate theme, some sports or a game and an evening meal.  The young men were invited to feel “at home” in the community. These gatherings of Affiliates took on slightly different forms in each place, but they were always a welcoming of young men into the Oblate community, including allowing them to open the refrigerator to find a snack or something to drink. They were not dependent solely on a vocation director; rather the meetings were based in the initiative of the local Oblate community.  

All of the Oblates in the community were committed to being there for the 3 – 4 hours that the meetings lasted. At the end of the evening, the young men returned directly to their homes and those who lived farther away were given a ride to the door of their home.  There were 15 to 20 attending on a regular basis.   

The Oblate Affiliate groups were encouraged in the new United States Province during the provincial service of Fr. Louie Lougen, OMI. Rules, obligations and a yearly commitment have been part of the experience, as well as retreat, camping, sports and missionary experiences.  Currently, the Affiliates are active in Tijuana and San Fernando and meet monthly. 

Who are the Affiliates?

   Young men from 16 to 35 years of age who meet as a Group with Oblates to discern their future

·        getting to know the Oblates and their mission

·        getting to know St. Eugene and his charism

·        getting to know themselves and their calling

·        serving in the poor in their communities

·        sharing in the prayer and community life of Oblates

What is the spirituality of the Affiliates?

  The spirituality is based on a “two way street” of Oblates wanting to share their life and mission with these young men and the young men desiring to discover their calling in life. The spirituality is one of sharing and listening to the heart.

What are the main objectives of the Group?

·        Discovering God, Jesus, as a Friend and learning how to listen internally to God

·        Discovering oneself, one’s personality, sexuality and vocation

·        Valuing Jesus Christ as Savior and the Oblate call to evangelize the poor within  the Church as apostolic community

·        Learning to serve the poor in the local church, its community, in areas of ministry that include evangelization, prayer and service (prophetic, liturgical and social areas of ministry)

·        Getting to know the charism of St. Eugene and the meaning of religious life and the vows

·        Experiencing something of the life of Oblate seminarians (Pre-novices and Scholastics)  

·        Experiencing directly the community and missionary life of professed Oblates

·        Being accompanied by an Oblate or other trained Youth Leader

What are some of the activities of the Affiliates?

·        Personal and community prayer, the Eucharist, confession, the rosary, etc.

·        Monthly meetings (topics, convivencias, etc.)

·        Retreat, prayer and discernment experiences

·        Movies, sports, social gatherings

·        Mission and service experiences

·        Trips, hikes, growth in an awareness of environmental care

·        Actions for justice and peace

·        Collaboration with other members of the community, including young women, discerning their future and their vocation

·        Spiritual direction

What are some topics discussed at the meetings?

·        Oblate spirituality, discipleship, the life and charism of Saint Eugene, the lives of Oblate heroes, Oblates in the world,

·        Traditions of spirituality, discernment journey, life of the saints, the Bible

·        Religious life, vows, marriage, courtship, the life of a priest, of an Oblate Brother, testimonies of Oblates

·        Prayer, Eucharist, the sacraments, catechesis

·        Human integration, personality types, sexuality, community life

·        The poor and abandoned, justice and peace, integrity of creation

·        etc.

Current activities of the Affiliates led by Fr. Jesse Esqueda, OMI

·        San Fernando: monthly meeting of around 12 young men, involved in various ministries, while participating in retreats, outreach to the poor and parish events.

·        Tijuana: monthly meeting of around 25 young men, involved in various ministries, while participating in retreats, outreach and personal discernment. The Affiliate Group in Tijuana connects regularly with the Casa Estudiantil (Pre-novitiate).

Future in the U.S. Province

·        The Affiliate concept continues to be a proposal for other areas of the U.S. Province