Oblates of St. Joseph
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, abbreviation = OSJ , founded = , founder = Bishop Joseph Marello , founding_location = Asti,
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, Italy , type = Clerical Religious Congregation , num_members = 627 (450 priests) , membership_year = 2017 , leader_title = Superior General , leader_name = Jan Pelczarski, OSJ , parent_organization =
Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, website = http://www.osjusa.org , footnotes = The Oblates of St. Joseph ( la, Congregatio Oblatorum S. Ioseph; abbreviated OSJ) is a
Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
religious institute founded on 14 March 1878 by St. Joseph Marello. The institute has provinces or delegations in
Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
, the
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, the
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,
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, Perú,
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, Bolivia,
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,
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, and
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. The congregation also has members in Australia and
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.


History

Joseph Marello's original intent was to found a simple association of men dedicated to a common spirituality, serving the local church in catechesis and assisting local clergy, but not publicly professing canonical vows in a religious institute. On March 14, 1878, he opened a house for what he called the "Company of Saint Joseph" and invited four candidates to be members. By 1883, the Company had begun accepting candidates for the priesthood along with candidates to be lay brothers. The Company would eventually become known as the Oblates of Saint Joseph. On September 15, 1921, the Oblates received approval as an international institute of pontifical status.


Apostolates and Ministries

The principal apostolate of the Oblates of St. Joseph is to work with youth and the poor. However, Joseph Marello's initial plan was to have the Oblates serve in whatever capacity the local bishop deemed necessary, so long as it was consistent with the spirituality and life of the Oblates. Presently, the Oblates serve in many different capacities, depending upon the needs of the bishops where they serve. Common apostolates include education and catechesis of youth, parish ministry, serving the poor and underprivileged, and orphanages.


Organization

The Oblates of St. Joseph are led by a ''Superior General'' and the four-member General Council. Geographic regions are organized into Provinces and Delegations, each of which is headed by a ''Provincial'' or ''Delegate'', respectively. The Superior General and his Council serve for a six-year term; Provincials and Delegates serve for three-year terms. Each community has a superior or ''Rector,'' who also serves a three-year term. Oblates of St. Joseph are bound by their Rule to live in community, unless exceptional permission is granted.


See also

* Saint Joseph *
Josephology Josephology is the theological study of Joseph, the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. Records of devotions to Joseph go back to the year 800 and Doctors of the Church since Thomas Aquinas have written on the subject. With the growth of Mariology ...


Notes


External links


Oblates of St. Joseph, Holy Spouses Province
Catholic orders and societies Religious organizations established in 1878 Catholic religious institutes established in the 19th century Saint Joseph (husband of Mary) {{catholic-stub