Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the pontifical approval of our Congregation is not simply a matter of commemorating a historical event or looking back with nostalgia on a glorious past. Above all, it is a time to give thanks to God for two centuries of fidelity, mission, and service to the Church.
This official recognition by the Church remains for us a sign of trust, but also a responsibility. It reminds us that the charism passed down by Father Lanteri is not a legacy to be jealously guarded, but a living gift to be brought to fruition today.
This anniversary therefore invites us to renew our commitment, to rediscover the boldness of our origins, and to look to the future with hope. We are not merely celebrating 200 years of history: we are celebrating a mission that continues, a commitment to renew, and a future to build together, in service to Christ and his Church.
And it is with you, the faithful of this sanctuary, that we wish to share in this celebration with joy and thanksgiving. For you, too, are an integral part of this history and this mission. Through your presence, your prayers, and your faithfulness, you help keep Father Lanteri’s spiritual legacy alive today. Together, we wish to renew our faith, rekindle our hope, and continue this beautiful spiritual journey, so that this sanctuary may remain a living place of prayer, grace, and encounter with the Lord.
The Marian emblem of the O.M.V.
This image depicts the Marian emblem of the Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary (OMV). We have the Marie’s monogram. He reminds us that the Virgin Mary occupies a central place in the Oblates’ spiritual identity. She is their Mother, their model, and their protector. The crown where Mary is honored as Queen of Heaven, but her greatness lies above all in her humility, her faith, and her openness to God’s will. The twelve stars refer to the woman of Revelation (12:1): “A great sign appeared in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”. The Latin inscription: “Mariam cogita, Mariam invoca,” “Think of Mary, call upon Mary.” The Oblate keeps Mary present in his mind, for she is the one who accompanies us on our spiritual and apostolic journey.
This emblem reflects a deeply held conviction at the heart of Father Bruno Lanteri’s spirituality: belonging to Mary in order to belong more fully to Christ and serve the Church. “To think of Mary” is to learn to live as she did; “to invoke Mary” is to entrust our journey toward Christ to her.
