Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - According to the latest general statistics published by Omiworld, updated to January 31, 2012, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (MOI) are currently 4093, divided as follows: one Cardinal, 10 Archbishops, 31 Bishops, 2,981 priests, two priests with temporary vows, 360 brothers with perpetual vows, 17 brothers with temporary vows are, 6 brothers who are permanent deacons, 113 scholastics with perpetual vows and 572 scholastics with temporary vows. Compared to the previous year (January 31, 2011), the total number of MOI decreased by 18 units: from 4111 to 4093. In particular, the decrease concerns priests, brothers with temporary vows and scholastics with perpetual vows, while the brothers with perpetual vows and scholastics with temporary vows have increased.
Geographically speaking, the highest number of MOI is present in Europe (1120), followed by the regions of Africa-Madagascar (859), Canada-USA (855), Asia-Oceania (749), Latin America (472), plus 38 members who serve in the general Administration.
With regard to the nations with the highest number of MOI, according to the regional division mentioned above, there is: Poland (348), Congo (166), United States of America (326), Sri Lanka-Colombo (158), Haiti (133 ).
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate were founded by St. Eugenio de Mazenod (1782-1861), born in Aix-en-Provence (France) from a noble family. After an exile of 11 years because of the Revolution, he returned to France, in 1802 Eugenio entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1811. Five years later, driven by the poverty of the country-people in Provence, he gathers around him a group of missionaries, and they went from village to village to proclaim the Gospel. A few years later he sends missionaries to northern Canada, Africa and Asia. The motto chosen by Eugenio de Mazenod, who has always inspired the MOI missionaries, is: "He sent me to evangelize the poor". Eugenio de Mazenod was proclaimed a saint on December 3, 1995 by Pope John Paul II. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 01/02/2012)
