Step One

When the Apostles first met Jesus and were curious about His mission, Jesus told them to Come and see.  So, too, we try to invite anybody thinking about the Oblate Missionary life to come and visit our community, which is in Hong Kong, and meet with the other young men who are following this path.  During the year, information weekends are held specifically for those exploring this life choice

Contact: Vocation Director

Fr. Slawek Kalisz O.M.I.
St. Alfred Parish
19-21,Man Lai Road, Shatin, N.T.
Hong Kong, S.R.A. China
Telephone:  (852) 2691-2493
Mobile:       (852) 9386 6277
E-mail: slawekk@netvigator.com

Step Two

If, after this first step, you feel a growing interest in, and attraction to the Oblate Life, you can apply to our community to begin a few months preparation period, which is called the Pre-Novitiate.  During this time you will live at our Community with the other candidates.

This period is a time of orientation and the chance to "try on" the Oblate life to see if it fits. It will give you the chance to meet, work and live with Oblates first hand, and also to undertake some preliminary studies.

  

Step Three

If, after this time of initiation into Oblate life, you decide with the community to become an Oblate, you begin what is called the Novitiate year. This is the heart of the Oblate's training, focusing on the Spiritual Life, and the history and traditions and vows of the Congregation.

It is a time set aside for prayer and personal growth in faith, under the guidance of the Novice Master and a Spiritual Counselor or Director, whose role is to "walk with you" on your journey towards becoming an Oblate. The year concludes with the Novices making their first formal commitment to the Order, by taking First Vows, which is to live the Oblate vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for one year.

Step Four

Once you have made this solemn commitment to live out the vows for a year, your course is set to complete your studies for priesthood or brotherhood, which normally takes between 4 and 6 years, and can include studies for your Bachelor Degrees.

Every year, you are invited to renew your vows for a year, and after three years, you can apply to take Final Vows, which makes you a full member of the congregation. As well as the studies, students (known as scholastics) are given a variety of work experiences to develop skills and prepare them for their future mission. For those who wish to, after Final Vows comes ordination to Deaconate and then Priesthood which completes the years of training for service as an Oblate Missionary.

Becoming an Oblate Brother

TWhile people think of the Oblates as Priests, there is another Oblate Vocation which is equally as important, and that is the Oblate brother.  From the very beginning of the Province, working in the trade school for abandoned youth, and in the parishes, these men have epitomized the Oblate ideal of "working very closely with the people". 

Brothers have a vital missionary role to play within the order They live and work alongside their fellow Oblates, who are priests, usually in the area where they have special talents and training This can include social work, catechetics, teaching, and the whole array of professions and trades that building a mission requires.

The steps you take to become an Oblate Brother are similar to that of Oblate priests.  The Oblate Brother is a full and very valued member of the Congregation and his vocation is one that we are trying to highlight in these days of new and creative ways to be an Oblate missionary.  If you are interested in the vocation of an Oblate Brother, contact the address given on the previous page.