After more than 30 years, a form of lay collaboration with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer returns to life.
After a long hiatus, the Redemptorists have resumed the activities of the Oblate community in Ukraine. On Sunday, October 12, the first new Oblate, Stepan Hrytsak, a parishioner of the local community, was welcomed into the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lviv.
Immediately after the ceremony, the Redemptorists also presented him with a parchment with the special blessing bestowed by Pope Leo on the occasion of the new oblate’s 60th birthday.
The news was communicated by the proto-igumen of the Redemptorist Province of Lviv, Father Volodymyr Boreiko, to the portal The Spiritual Greatness of Lviv.
Who are the Redemptorist Oblates?
Oblates are individuals who participate in and express the Redemptorist charism in their state of life and in their daily lives. Although they have not made religious profession, they actively collaborate in the mission of redemption alongside the Redemptorists.
Through prayer, missionary activity, service and material or personal support, they share the spiritual benefits of the Congregation, thus contributing to its evangelizing work.
A tradition reborn
Father Boreiko recalled that the Oblate community was already present in Ukraine during the period of secrecy, when the Greek Catholic Church was persecuted. “At that time,” he explained, “there were no official contacts with Rome. After the secrecy ended, our Oblates were transferred to the Archconfraternity of Mary Help of Christians.”
The last known oblate before this revival was Father Bohdan Geleta, today a member of the Congregation, who had received this title before entering the monastery.
Collaborators and witnesses of the Redemption
The decision to reinstate the community stems from a desire to recognize the lay collaborators who support the Redemptorist mission. “In this way,” Father Boreiko explained, “we want to honor those who help us serve and exist. We want them to feel a sense of belonging to our great spiritual family.”
There are no rigid rules to become an Oblate: all that is required is an authentic Christian life, active participation in the Redemptorist mission, and an adequate period of time to assess one’s consistency in living this charism. Men and women, married or single, and even priests or bishops can become Oblates.
“Not everyone is called to the monastery or the priesthood,” Father Boreiko concluded, “but many desire to belong in a special way to our Redemptorist family. The Oblates are the answer to this desire for communion and shared mission.”
Source: https://velychlviv.com
Photo: Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lviv (Facebook)
