Rome, Italy, Oct 1, 2010 / 02:45 am
A 58-year old Buffalo, New York native will soon be in charge of the 4,000 brothers of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Accepting the responsibility with "fear and trembling" but aware of brotherly support and God's assistance, the superior general-elect donned the cross of the congregation's founding saint to carry on the missionary service that began nearly 200 years ago.
On the twenty-first day of a month-long general chapter in Rome, Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI, was chosen in the first round of voting by the majority of the other 88 brothers present to lead the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He will step into the position from his role as provincial superior of the religious congregation's U.S. province.
Founded in 1816 by St. Eugene de Mazenod to re-evangelize the villages of France's Provence region, the Oblates soon branched out to other nations throughout the world. Today, they are actively present in 66 countries.
Asked by the current superior general, Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, if he was ready to lead the 4,000-member congregation, Fr. Lougen answered in the affirmative, saying, "Yes, I am ready, with fear and trembling and the support of my brothers and the help of God.”