Associates to the Oblates of St. Joseph are lay men and women
(and priests) without profession of vows, who choose to live
a life of consecration to God and the Church in a spirit of
collaboration with the Oblates. They take interest in the activities
willed by Saint Marello and share in the spiritual benefits,
rendering service within or outside the Oblate communities
under the direction of the superior.
| As Associates, they live the spirituality
of St. Joseph according to the model of St. Marello, join
with the Oblates
in prayer, and work closely with the Oblates in a number
of areas, such as: |
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1. Youth ministry |
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2. Parish ministry |
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3. Vocation ministry |
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4. Social apostolate |
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5. Missionary apostolate |
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6. Spreading devotion to St. Joseph |
| To qualify as an OSJ Associate, one must be: |
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1. Age 18 or older |
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2. A committed Catholic with all the pertinent Sacraments |
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3. Involved in ministry |
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4. Faithful to Church teaching and obedient to the Holy Father |
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5. Committed to daily prayer |
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6. Self-supporting |
Commitment includes private consecration with promises
to serve God in imitation of St. Joseph (humility, hiden life,
hard work, union with Jesus).
The Associate will have an interior life under the guidance
of the local Oblate superior and will serve as a witness in
the family, workplace, church, and community.
The Associate will also wear a particular insignia as a sign
of commitment.
The prayer life of the Associate will include daily Mass coupled
with daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament, daily Marian or
St. Joseph rosary and taking part in the Liturgy of the Hours.
On a weekly basis, Wednesday devotions to St. Joseph and Eucharistic
adoration with special prayers for OSJ vocations should occur.
Ministry should include at least one aspect of the congregation's work
10 hours per week.
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