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LIVE + JESUS

Proposed

Provisional Provincial Statutes

North American Province

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Consultation and Discernment

Toledo–Detroit

Provincial Statutes 2014

Wilmington–Philadelphia

Provincial Statutes 2014

Rooted in the Constitutions of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Our Provincial Statutes are a practical way we care for one another and the mission of the Province.

Rooted in the Church’s law and our Constitutions, they help us live the Gospel together - shaping our community, prayer, and ministry.

They provide concrete guidance for formation, common life, service to God’s people, and stewardship, so that every Oblate can respond generously to the Spirit.

In this way, these Statutes become a shared way of life and accountability, strengthening our communion and keeping us faithful to the purpose for which we were founded.

Bob Bazzoli, OSFS

John Extejt, OSFS

Manuel Viera, OFM - Canonist

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Why Provincial Statutes Matter

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

They translate our Constitutions into concrete ways of caring for

one another, governing well, and serving the mission together.

Constitutions

Provincial Statutes

Province Policies

• Policies carry practical details that change more often than statutes.

Sources: NAP introduction and PS 14; OSFS Constitutions C. 310–318, 338, 353–383.

• Constitutions establish identity, governance, vows, community, and mission.

• Provincial Statutes apply and specify what the Constitutions require at the Province level.

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The Map of Sources

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Constitutions

The common “rule of life” for all Oblates

→

2014 TD + WP Statutes

NAP Proposed Statutes

Sources: NAP Draft #12; TD Statutes 2014; WPP Statutes 2014; OSFS Constitutions.

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NAP Comparison Chart

Area	Constitutions	Toledo–Detroit	Wilmington–Philadelphia	NAP Proposed
Formation	C. 44–78	Common Formation Document	Common Formation Document	Common Formation Document
Common life	C. 353–364	Domus formata 12	Domus formata 6	Domus formata 4 Regional and Province gatherings
Governance	C. 310–318	Chapter of the Whole	Chapter of the Whole	Chapter of the Whole
Finances	C. 335–337 376–383	Detailed local/provincial treasurer	Detailed local/provincial treasurer	Stewardship policy

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Formation and Lifelong Growth

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

NAP Proposed (PS 1-3)

• Formation–Vocation Commission coordinates vocation promotion, admissions, formation, programming.

�• Common Formation Document is implemented; Congregational Formation Handbook prevails if conflict arises.

�• Each Oblate is expected to participate in ongoing study.

2014 Statutes

• TD - Relies on the Formation Commission and the Common Formation Document and same program for brothers and clerics.

�• WP - Relies on the Formation Commission and the Common Formation Document and same program for brothers and clerics.

Constitutions

• Each Province draws up formation programs for religious, diaconal, and priestly formation.

�• Formation aims at the whole person and continues through life.

Sources: NAP PS 1–3; TD PS 45, 75; WPP PS 1; Constitutions C. 44–78, 150–154.

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Common Life: Structure Serves Fraternity

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Community

Gatherings

Chapters and Community Prayer

Accountability

NAP Highlights (PS 4-10)

Sets a four-member threshold for domus formata and the appointment of a local superior.

In communities having less than four (4) members, the Provincial appoints an Oblate of the community, pro tempore, with the authority of the Superior.

Retains shared prayer, annual retreat, vacation, and appropriate attire.

Publication and media requests are addressed explicitly, including digital and social media formats.”

Sources: NAP PS 4–10; TD PS 19, 144, 172, 354–361; WPP PS 2–8, 22–25; Constitutions C. 144, 162–172, 353–364.

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Apostolic Life: Mission With Accountability

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Mission Discernment (PS 11)

New foundations and apostolates receive feasibility review: mission plan, budget, sustainability.

The Provincial, consulting with the Provincial Council and with the approval of the Superior General, shall decide which apostolic activities best respond to the needs of the Church.

Safeguarding (PS 12)

Annual training, compliance record, and annual report.

Records shall be maintained in compliance with civil and ecclesiastical data-protection requirements.

Contracts/MOUs (PS 13)

Any contracts or memoranda of understanding between individual Oblates or local communities with an archdiocese, diocese, religious institute, or non-religious organization must be reviewed and approved by the Provincial prior to execution.

Sources: NAP PS 11–13; WPP PS 9–10; Constitutions C. 187, 209.

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Provincial Chapter: One Province Learning to Deliberate Together

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Key Continuity: Discernment remains communal, not merely administrative.

Sources: NAP PS 14–16; TD PS 251, 313–314; WPP PS 11–12; Constitutions C. 245–259, 310–318.

Area	Constitutions	NAP Draft	Toledo–Detroit	Wilmington–Philadelphia
Format	Provincial Chapter has authority	Chapter of the Whole	Chapter of the Whole	Chapter of the Whole
Voting	At least 75% perpetually professed	All professed present and eligible; 75% perpetually professed rule	All in annual vows vote unless >25%	All perpetually professed in attendance
Preparation	Convoked and prepared by the Provincial	Provincial & Council Committee Possible	Standing Committee Election Committee	Provincial & Council Committee Possible
General Chapter delegates	Elected according to Provincial Statutes	Absolute majority; runoff	Absolute majority; runoff	Absolute majority; runoff

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Selecting Provincial Leadership

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Nomination

Province-wide consultation

Discernment

Candidates and Members dialogue

Balloting

Absolute majority standard

Ratification

Superior General + Council

Provincial (PS 17):

Four-year term; max three consecutive terms; candidate perpetually professed at least five years and eligible for public ministry.

Council (PS 18):

Five members: four selected by Chapter, one appointed by Provincial. Four-year term concurrent with the Provincial; maximum of three consecutive terms.

Sources: NAP PS 17–18; TD PS 321, 327 and appendices; WPP PS 13, 16–17; Constitutions C. 321, 327.

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Consultation and Dialogue (PS 19): An Annual Rhythm

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Regional

Meetings

Province

Convocation

Chapter

Cycle

NAP keeps two distinct forums:

Regional conversations for current Province matters and future planning.

Convocation for spiritual/Salesian topics, priorities, training, development, and open dialogue.

WP - Two Regional Meetings and one Province Convocation each year.
TD - A series of Regional Meetings and Annual Community Days.

Sources: NAP PS 19; TD PS 338 and regional policies; WPP PS 18; Constitutions C. 338 and 162.

The shift is from legacy provincial cultures toward one shared annual rhythm.

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Financial Administration: From Detail to Stewardship Policy

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

NAP Proposed (PS 20)

Statute 20 establishes a policy for financial stewardship, citing the obligations of the Province, the Local Community, and the Individual Oblate.

2014 Statutes

TD and WPP include more operational detail on treasurer duties, budgets, reports, per capita assessments, and local treasurers.

Constitutions

Material & ecclesial goods are administered at local, provincial, and general levels; local communities contribute to Province and Congregation.

Discernment point: What belongs in statutes, and what belongs in a policy that can be updated responsibly?

Sources: NAP PS 20; TD PS 291, 337, 377–383; WPP PS 19, 23–30; Constitutions C. 291, 335–337, 376–383.

Our vow of poverty is an expression of communion - sharing everything with intentionality and generosity, which includes the responsible administration of the temporal goods entrusted to us.

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Province Financial Stewardship Policy (PS 20)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Sources: NAP PS 20; TD PS 291, 337, 377–383; WPP PS 19, 23–30; Constitutions C. 291, 335–337, 376–383.

Salesian Simplicity
Common Ownership (C. 106, 113)
Oblates Living Outside Community

General Principles

Community Treasury (C. 376)
Oblate Bank Accounts
Mass Intentions (CIC 945–958)

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NAP Proposed Statutes

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Unify

Creates one North American framework from two provincial traditions.

Simplify

Moves many operational details to policies while preserving constitutional requirements.

Clarify

Names processes for formation, leadership, apostolates, safeguarding, and agreements.

Invite

Keeps convocation and regional meetings as places for dialogue and shared discernment.

The question before us is not only “What do the proposed statutes say?”

But “How will this help us ‘Live Jesus’ together?”

Sources: NAP Draft #12 compared with TD/WPP 2014 statutes and OSFS Constitutions.

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Questions For Reflection:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Mission

Do the proposed statutes help us respond to the needs of the Church today? How?

Fraternity

Do they strengthen prayer, common life, and mutual accountability? How?

Governance

Are selection, chapter, and consultation processes clear and trusted?

Stewardship

Are policies and statutes placed at the right level?

Next Step: Continued Consultation on the Proposed Statutes at Regional Meetings

Sources: NAP Draft #12; Constitutions conclusion on faithful observance without legalism or vagueness.