XVIII General Chapter of the Oblates of St. Joseph: Fr. Jan Pelczarski Re-elected
From August 7 to 27, 2024, the XVIII General Chapter of the Oblates of St. Joseph took place at the General Curia in Rome. The Oblates were founded in 1878 in Asti by St. Joseph Marello, Bishop of Acqui.
Thirty-five Chapter members from 12 different countries where our religious family is present participated. Some sessions were also open to members of the "Josephite-Marellian Family," which includes representatives of the Oblate Sisters of St. Joseph, lay adults, and young people who share our spiritual and charismatic heritage. Young seminarians were also involved in some moments of our Chapter.
On August 21-22, elections were held to renew the general government for the 2024-2030 term, resulting in the following composition:
- Fr. Jan PELCZARSKI (Polish), Superior General (re-elected for a second term)
- Fr. Maximo Sevilla Jr. (Filipino), 1st Counselor and Vicar General
- Fr. Michael Odubela (Nigerian), 2nd Counselor
- Fr. Sebastian Meleth (Indian), 3rd Counselor
- Fr. Gregory Finn (American), 4th Counselor.
On the morning of August 26, the Chapter members were received in private audience by Pope Francis. He highlighted the virtues of St. Joseph of Nazareth: humility, fatherhood, and attention to the marginalized—essential for religious life and service to the Church. He urged them to support young generations and reach out to the marginalized not "in a paternalistic way," but by sharing their struggles without judgment, aiming for integral formation that brings them closer to Jesus Christ.
Biography of Fr. Jan Pelczarski
Fr. Jan was born in Lipnica Wielka, Poland, on December 4, 1965. He made his first religious profession in 1985 and his perpetual profession in 1989. Ordained as a priest in 1991, he began his ministry as a chaplain in Rome, earning a licentiate in moral theology in 1992. He later embarked on a mission to Nigeria, where he held various pastoral and administrative roles, including rector and treasurer of the Isolo community in Lagos. In 1999, he returned to Rome as a formator at the international student house.
In 2000, he moved to Bolivia, where he served as prefect at the major seminary and parochial vicar, later becoming rector of the religious house in Achumani. In 2002, he returned to Rome as a prefect at the international student house and obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology in 2008.
From 2010 to 2016, he served as Delegate Superior of the Bolivian delegation.
In 2018, the XVII General Chapter in Rome elected him Superior General for the 2018-2024 term, recognizing his extensive service and leadership.
On August 21-22, 2024, he was re-elected as Superior General for a second term (2024-2030).
Theme of the General Chapter
"I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you" (2 Tim 1:6):
From the Michelerio to the Existential Peripheries of the Youth.
The chosen theme guiding the reflections and work of the Chapter centers on a biblical reference (2 Tim 1:6) to awaken the gift of God within us, reignite enthusiasm and faithfulness, live as true disciples of Jesus Christ in the house of St. Joseph, and faithfully guard the charism amidst the challenges of our time.
The subtitle of the chosen theme references the birthplace of the Congregation (the Michelerio Institute for orphans in Asti, Italy) and highlights the long-standing tradition of the Oblates, who have always been at the forefront of caring for and educating young people.