Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate

Birthplace of the Charism

Aix-en-Provence

Where the Aix Document was born

Key Milestones

1962-1965

Second Vatican Council opens lay participation

May 1996

The Aix Document defines Associate identity

1998

Rule 37 amended in Constitutions

Who We Are

A Movement Within
the Oblate Congregation

The Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI) is a movement within the Oblate Congregation globally. It is an Association of Catholic Lay people who voluntarily wish to share in the apostolic work and spirituality of the Oblate Priests and Brothers.

Since the Second Vatican Council [1962-1965] and in the spirit of that Council, the Oblates have responded to requests by women and men who, in various degrees and ways, feel called to share in the Charism, the life and ministry of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, even while not being formally vowed within the Oblate community.

A defining event for the Association was held in May, 1996. An international meeting for lay people and Oblates was held in the Mission Centre in Aix-en-Provence, the birthplace of the Oblate Congregation.

After several days of discussing the experiences between Oblates and lay people, a document was written: 'The Aix Document'. It set out a common identity for Lay Associates and gave an impetus to individual Oblate units around the world to develop their own forms of Association.

With the growth of Association throughout the Congregation, at the Chapter in 1998 the Oblate delegates adapted Rule 37 in their Constitutions, a rule about Associates, to reflect the new reality.

The Spirit

Guidelines for Oblate Associates

Oblate Association is a way for baptized men and women, young and old, to participate and share in the Charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod.

A Gift of the Spirit

The Charism of Saint Eugene de Mazenod is a gift of the Spirit to the Church, and it radiates throughout the world. Lay people recognize that they are called to share in the Charism according to their state of life, and to live it in ways that vary according to milieu and cultures.

Communion & Reciprocity

They share in the Charism in a spirit of communion and reciprocity amongst themselves and with the Oblates. In order to live more intensely the mission of evangelization according to the Oblate Charism, some Lay people gather in associations.

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There is not only one structure or form for the Associates, but what is shared is a commitment to be in relationship with the Oblates through the Oblate Charism, and to be in service of the Church and the world with an Oblate heart and spirit.

Our Mission

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are called to proclaim Christ and his Kingdom both to those who do not know him and those who have lost sight of the Hope which he brings us in a way that leads to the fullness of life.

Extension of the Oblates

The Association of Mary Immaculate is an extension of the Oblate of Mary Immaculate. It wants to bring together the undertakings of the Oblate Mission. Its members intend to work, with the means at their disposal, to support the Oblate Mission in their Missionary Apostolate.

Our Purpose

The Goals of MAMI

Five foundational goals guide the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate in its mission.

1

Live the Charism

To form the Associates to live and love the Charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod.

2

Devotion to Mary

To form the Associates with a solid devotion to Mary Immaculate, patroness of the Congregation and the Association.

3

Vocation Promotion

To engage the Associates in the ministry of vocation promotion and supporting the Oblate formation houses.

4

Oblate Ministries

To engage the Associates in a variety of Oblate Ministries and services where the Oblates are working.

5

Community of Prayer

To motivate a community of prayer and commitment towards the poor in their many faces. MAMI are found in places where the Oblates are working. Their ideal is the evangelisation of the poor in their many faces. This ideal can be realised in works of charity and mercy.

Commitment

The Duties of MAMI Members

Seven essential duties define the life and commitment of every Associate.

1

Reciprocity

The Oblates and the Associates acknowledge their need for each other; they live in a relationship of reciprocity in openness, trust, and respect of every person's vocation.

2

Mutual Enrichment

They enrich the others through their discoveries and experiences. Oblates and lay persons live complementarily in their mutual growth.

3

Prayer for Missions

They offer prayer for the Missions. Under the protection of Mary Immaculate, they support the apostolate with their prayers.

4

Witness to Christ

They give witness to Christ through life and action, becoming apostolic auxiliaries to the Missionary Oblates.

5

Active Interest

To show active interest in Oblate undertakings and mission, vocation apostolate and the growth of Oblate religious family.

6

Renewal Together

The Associates and Oblates come together to renew their life and their commitments in the world in the light of the Word of God and of the Founder's Charism.

7

Simple Lifestyle

To be an Associate supposes a simple lifestyle, marked by togetherness, characterized by charity, fraternity and openness to others. They are persons of prayer. Conscious of their poverty before God and before others. They live in solidarity.

Growth

Formation of MAMI

The formation of the Associates to a truly Christian way of life is the first and most important purpose of the Association.

Days of Recollection

Regular days of recollections and retreats to deepen spiritual life and commitment to the Charism.

Spiritual Talks

Talks on the Oblate mission and spirituality to inform and inspire Associates in their journey.

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual guidance and direction to help Associates discern and grow in their vocation.

Devotion

Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of the Congregation.

Empowering Courses

Empowering courses to equip Associates with skills for ministry and service in their communities.

Christian Life

Formation to a truly Christian way of life, informed and inspired by the Oblate Charism.

Organization

Leadership Structure

The organizational framework that guides the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate.

Organizational Structure

There will be a Coordinator who is an Oblate Priest or Brother who keeps in touch with members and supports their efforts on the progress of the Association.
The MAMI will work with the Oblates in the parishes and institutions where the Oblates are working.
From time to time, meetings of Associates are organised in different places where the Oblates are working.

Association Leadership

1
Chairperson
2
Vice Chairperson
3
Secretary
4
Treasurer
5
Committee Members

Leadership Duties

Two-Year Term of Service

Chairperson

• Chairs the meetings
• Prepares agenda with executive
• Oversees follow-up of recommendations
• May appoint sub-committees

Vice Chairperson

• Assumes Chairperson duties in absence
• Supports the Chairperson
• Two-year term of service

Secretary

• Takes minutes of meetings
• Prepares documentations
• Distributes agenda with Chairperson

Committee Member

Serves a term of two years. In the absence of the Secretary, he/she assumes the responsibility of the Secretary.

Become One of Us

On Becoming a Member

Open to All

Membership is open to all baptised Christians (Catholics) both young and old. There is no single structure or form for the Associates — what is shared is a commitment to be in relationship with the Oblates through the Oblate Charism.

"To be an Associate supposes a simple lifestyle, marked by togetherness, characterized by charity, fraternity and openness to others."

Promises of Fidelity

Public commitment is free and open to Oblate Associates after participating in an Associate community for at least ONE year. All members who join MAMI need to make a promise of fidelity to the Oblate Charism.

The promises of fidelity to the Charism are renewable for a period of one year.

Dates for Commitments

17

February

Papal Approval of the Congregation

21

May

Feast of St. Eugene

8

December

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Under the Protection of Mary

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Under the protection of Mary Immaculate, the Mother of Mercy, they become apostolic auxiliaries to the Missionary Oblates; they are part of the Oblate Religious family, sharing its joys and sorrows, its battles and struggles, rejoicing in their success, making the Congregation ever more known, winning new friends for it, propagating its publications, helping in recruiting vocations for it and supporting its apostolate with their prayers.

"The Charism of Saint Eugene de Mazenod is a gift of the Spirit to the Church, and it radiates throughout the world."