The Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph, founded in 1878 by St. Joseph Marello, inaugurated the year-long silver anniversary celebration of the canonization of its founder, proclaimed as a saint together with three others on November 25, 2001.
With the theme “Welcoming a Time of Grace: A Year with Marello,” its members, both the professed and the laity, are invited to open oneself to renewal of the Josephite-Marellian spirituality and Oblate identity, to begin anew, and “in arousing in each of us a true yearning for holiness and a strong desire for conversion, in a climate of ever more intense prayer and solidarity in welcoming others” (cf. Circular Letter of the Superior General, November 2025). Resolution no. 13 of the XVIII General Chapter offers us the source of this initiative: “to revive the knowledge, love and devotion to our Holy Founder.”
Back to where the miracles happened that led to Marello’s canonization, the series of provincial and congregational activities were started in Ranquish, Perù last November 25 with the presence of P. Jan Pelczarski, osj, Superior General and P. Maximo Sevilla, Jr., osj, Vicar General and Coordinator of the International Commission for the Marellian Year 2025-2026.
Leading to the silver anniversary in 2026, each month has been assigned a particular theme, Marellian aspect or virtue, and prayer intentions specifically aligned to the Church’s and Congregational liturgical calendar, thus follow:
| MONTH | THEME | MARELLIAN VIRTUE | PRAYER INTENTION |
| December 2025 | The Christian Family, Cradle of Saints | The Family as a “schola amoris” and cradle of saints. | For all parents raising children |
| January 2026 | Youth and Vocation | Docility to God’s will | For young people discerning their vocation |
| February 2026 | Marello’s Love for the Church and his Apostolic Zeal | Pastoral/Apostolic charity | For unity and collaboration among Diocesan clergy, religious, and laity in theChurch’s mission. |
| March 2026 | Oblate Identity | Active and contemplative aspect of Oblate life | For every member of the Josephite-Marellian family who shares the spirituality and charism of the founder |
| April 2026 | God’s Will and Marello’s Trust | Total Abandonment to Divine Providence | For the sick and the elderly |
| May 2026 | A Month with Mary | Filial Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary | For an increase in love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| June 2026 | Life of Prayer | Oblative Love rooted in prayer | For a profound interior life and fruitful prayer life |
| July 2026 | Daily Holiness | Holiness in simplicity, humility, hiddenness and silent laboriousness | For the sanctification of ordinary life |
| August 2026 | The Life of Virtue | Formation in Christian Virtues | For an increase in Christian virtues |
| September 2026 | Christian Education of Youth | “Cultivate the mind but above all educate the heart” | For the youth under the pastoral care of the Oblates of St. Joseph and for those who minister to them |
| October 2026 | Spirit of Availability for Missions | Obedience, Availability, Magnanimity of heart | For all Oblate missionaries worldwide and for an increase in the missionary spirit of the Josephite-Marellian family |
| November 2026 | Oblate Family Spirit | The Oblate Family Spirit | For all Christian families and communities |
| December 2026 | Gratitude and Hope for the Future | Sense of gratitude and hopefulness | For the grace of creative fidelity to the Josephite- Marellian spirituality and charism |
“With our sights set on deepening our knowledge of, love for and devotion to our Holy Founder, we intend to make this year truly a time of grace, that is, celebratory, personally and communally enriching, pastorally and socially relevant” (cf. Letter of the Vicar General on the Celebration of the Marellian Year, 15 September 2025).
The Superior General invites us to “welcome with an open heart the call to live this ‘time of grace’ intensely, always attentive and in solidarity, especially with people in need” (ibid). With the help of the Founder’s letters and writings, may the Josephite-Marellian spirituality and Oblate identity be instilled in the hearts of its members, of all ages, in all stages, to build bridges from this generation to the next.
