Sixty Eight Oblates from the Province of Jaffna gathered at Gnanodhayam, Keeri, Mannar for the Annual Retreat. Fr. Christian Fini OMI from Australia preached the Retreat. The Province had mandated Fr. Santhiapillai M. Sebastian, OMI and his team to organize the Animation cum Annual Retreat. Accordingly the Retreat was preceded by two days of intensive animation based on our Founder’s charism and the first ten Constitutions of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr. Fini emphasized St. Eugene De Mazenod’s predilection for the poor, especially for the youth and the proletariat, who are often marginalized. As Bishop of Marseilles he often bent the rules of the diocese in favor of the proletariat, and adopted the use of their lingo when addressing them.
The person of Fr. Fini was very helpful for the retreatants; his experience and commitment to youth apostolate in Australia exuded during his talks. Although himself is of Italian descent, surprisingly he had a repertoire of Irish jokes, which kept us fully awake. To sensitize us to the needs of the times; on the last day, he gave extra time after dinner, to give a taste of cyber-theology.
Sixty Eight Oblates from the Province of Jaffna gathered at Gnanodhayam, Keeri, Mannar for the Annual Retreat. Fr. Christian Fini OMI from Australia preached the Retreat. The Province had mandated Fr. Santhiapillai M. Sebastian, OMI and his team to organize the Animation cum Annual Retreat. Accordingly the Retreat was preceded by two days of intensive animation based on our Founder’s charism and the first ten Constitutions of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr. Fini emphasized St. Eugene De Mazenod’s predilection for the poor, especially for the youth and the proletariat, who are often marginalized. As Bishop of Marseilles he often bent the rules of the diocese in favor of the proletariat, and adopted the use of their lingo when addressing them.
