Leave Nothing Undared for the Kingdom of God - Oblates Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE

Today, Oblates are serving in many areas throughout Guatemala including Guatemala City, Chicaman, and Playa Grande. They have helped establish programs to provide education, building skills, health facilities, and social programs which have served as a constant source of hope. Of course, the greatest source of hope for the people of Guatemala has been the Oblates themselves. Their missionary presence despite the violent threats serves as an inspiring reminder that no one can take away their faith in God.

Top: In Playa Grande, Fr. Peter Weiss, O.M.I., visits a family in one of the 120 villages to which he ministers.
Middle: The Oblates have been reaching out to the people of Playa Grande since 1988.
Bottom: After 36 years of civil war, life is still very difficult for the impoverished communities of Playa Grande.

Leaving Nothing Undared for the Kingdom of God
Oblate Ministries in Guatemala

"Leave nothing undared for the kingdom of God."
St. Eugene De Mazenod, O.M.I.

For decades the people of northern Guatemala had been terrorized by war and violence that had led to the deaths of over 100,000 innocent indigenous people and created over a million refugees. Due to extreme anti-Catholic violence throughout the war, many priests and lay persons were tortured and killed.

In the diocese of El Quiche, the violence was so great that for a period of two years in the early eighties, all priests were forced to leave the diocese completely. Yet, Bishop Julio Cabrera was not going to let violence rob the people of their faith. Upon hearing of the bishop’s desperate need for priests, the Missionary Oblates stepped forward.

In 1988, with the words of their founder etched deep in their hearts, five Missionary Oblates ventured out to minister to the impoverished and persecuted people of El Quiche. Throughout the years to come, the Oblates faced many great challenges and threats as they brought the love and peace of Christ to the Guatemalan people. Inspired with their own faith in Christ, they helped lift up their communities, promoting peace, and re-affirming faith.

In 1996, the war officially came to an end when the government signed a peace agreement. Yet, today, although the situation has improved, violence continues to plague their communities. “Many are still wounded from violence of years past. It lies heavy upon their hearts as if it happened only yesterday,” explains Fr. Larry Rosebaugh, O.M.I.