The Oblates of the Virgin Mary, like all religious communities, have a special apostolate consisting of various ministerial works. By means of these works, Oblates promote a rebirth of spirituality in today's world. The apostolates are the Spiritual Exercises, Formation of the Clergy, Propagation of the Truth against Current Errors, Social Communications, the Missions, and Formation of the Laity.
The Spiritual Exercises
The Spiritual Exercises is a program for spiritual growth. Written and developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, these Exercises are a remarkable and effective means for the conversion of souls. The Oblates of the Virgin Mary have a great love for the Spiritual Exercises and always seek to promote them. They give the Exercises either as a privately-directed retreat, a preached retreat to a larger group, or in the form of parish missions, adapting them as needed. The Oblates renew their own personal familiarity with the Exercises through monthly days of recollection and annual Ignatian retreats.
Formation of the Clergy
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary dedicate themselves to working with future priests in seminaries, as well as in the ongoing formation of ordained clergy. Every local community and every Oblate is characterized by a willingness to fraternally assist the clergy, cooperating with them in ministry and in the direction of retreats. Priests from various diocese greatly appreciate the support and spirit of friendship they receive from the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.
Propagation of the Truth against Current Errors
The Oblates are dedicated to upholding the truths of our faith. This is vitally important in today's world, where various errors in faith and morals seek to erode the very foundation of our society. The Oblates uphold the truth through study of the more important Church documents and creative ways to promote the full truth of Revelation.
Social Communications
The Oblates are convinced that the mass media are a powerful force in today's world and therefore need to be used to spread the truths of our faith. Oblates therefore employ all the tools of modern communication, including books, journals, films, the Internet, DVDs, and CDs. Some Oblates specialize in this field on a technical level in order to work with competence in this crucial area.
The Missions
The Oblates who work in the foreign missions bring to the people their Lanterian heritage: the works of the Institute (Spiritual Exercises, formation of the laity, etc.) adapted to the unique conditions of the people who live in these mission lands. Some Oblates are directly involved in this work, laboring among the poorest of God's people and fully dedicating themselves to this activity. Others share in this spirit, supporting the missions with spiritual and material assistance, striving also to create centers of missionary promotion among the laity.
Formation of the Laity
The Oblates are aware that an integral part of their apostolic identity consists in collaboration with the laity in the Church. This openness to collaboration is a quality of every Oblate, regardless of apostolic activity, so every local community of Oblates becomes a center for working with the laity in the area. The Oblates find in the laity valuable partners in giving the Spiritual Exercises, forming youth and young adult groups, working in parishes, and ministering in the foreign missions.
Other Apostolates
Oblates are involved in parish work, hospital chaplaincy, campus ministry, teaching, and other works as the need arises. In all that they do, the Oblates infuse their many varied apostolates with the same Lanterian spirit.