Pope Francis spoke to Secular Institutes in 2014 and said:
«Never lose the momentum of walking the streets of the world, aware that walking, even with an uncertain step or limping, is always better than standing still, locked within your questions or insecurities.»

I am incredibly thankful for the past twenty years that I have spent as a member of the Oblates. I joined in 2004. It has been a time of growth, learning, and deepening my relationship with God. Being part of this community has provided me with a supportive environment where I can live out my faith in a unique way, while also being able to fully participate in the world around me. My life would have been significantly different had I not answered Gods call to consecrate myself to Him in the Oblates.

I am grateful for the friendships I have made, the spiritual guidance I have received, and the opportunities for service that have come my way. Being a member of a Secular Institute has allowed me to integrate my spiritual life with my everyday life, and to strive for holiness in the midst of my daily responsibilities and commitments.

In the rhythm of the seasons, I see the cycle of life and death, reminding me of the eternal nature of God's presence. My only sibling, David, died in February at the age of 63. He was handicapped and although he lived in Long Term Care for the past 23 years I was very involved in his care. He was developmentally disabled but we still had a close relationship and I miss him every day. Grief is a heavy burden to bare and it permeates every aspect of my life right now. This loss is one of the most difficult experiences I have had. My grief is expressed in my judgements every day and I need to be carefully aware of this. All I can do for him now is pray for him although I expect he had an express pass to the loving arms of Jesus.

Living a consecrated life often involves a commitment to service, whether through formal ministry, volunteer work, or simply living out one's values in ordinary interactions. The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others can be deeply rewarding. I worked for over 40 years as a Registered Nurse and retirement left me feeling a bit lost. Then David’s needs escalated as his health deteriorated and I was able to be with him. I also volunteered in Hospice Palliative Care in Perth, Kanata and Ottawa for seven years ending shortly after the Covid-19 Pandemic began. Now I am part of a Palliative Care Team at Royal Ottawa Place where my brother had lived. I was welcomed by the Team which is just getting started to establish policies and training for the staff.

As an Oblate I try to live in simplicity, which leads to a more focused and intentional way of living. By prioritizing spiritual values over material pursuits, I find greater clarity and peace in my daily life.

In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope', 2024 is designated a by Pope Francis as a Year of Prayer. Focusing on the Our Father, we are provided with a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer.

The Lord's Prayer is a central prayer in Christianity, and dedicating a year to deepening our understanding and connection to this prayer can help strengthen my faith and relationship with God. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) used Dr. Josephine Lombardi’s expertise to guide our reflection and interpretation of The Our Father presented over four Webinars in the month of April, 2024. As a team we each listened to the Webinars individually and then met twice via Zoom to discuss this. It was an enriching presentation for our team.

I rely on ‘Fresh starts and new beginnings’ as it says in our Constitutions. I depend on God's grace to enable me to remain faithful and steadfast in my effort to live the Spirituality of OMMI.

Judi Mallett
Ottawa, July 2024