Fr. Fernand Jetté, Oblate Superior General from 1974 -1986, reflects on the meaning of this anniversary of the Church’s approval for us.
It is essential for a religious family to be recognized by the Church, for it is the Church who “constitutes” us, as the Founder put it; it is the Church who gives us our “mission”, who sends us as an apostolic corps to evangelize the world.
Father de Mazenod’s diary and letters reveal that he greatly valued this Roman approbation. He prized it highly, to be sure, for whatever freedom it would give him in his dealings with diocesan bishops; but more so for a deeper reason: to have some sort of divine guarantee for the work undertaken and the form of life he was offering his confreres.
For a religious family the issues at stake are substantial; it invites men to leave everything, to give up establishing themselves in this world in order to commit themselves in a radical way and within a group to the following of Christ. In such a project, each one stakes his own life. Who will guarantee the Gospel authenticity of the way that is proposed? Furthermore, if new formulations and important changes occur within the Institute in the course of history, who will guarantee the authenticity of these changes?
Before one can offer men a particular way of evangelical life, it is necessary that there be signs from God, discernment and the Church’s official confirmation….
That is what prompted the Founder to write on the day after the first approbation, February 18, 1826:
“No mere trifles, these are no longer simple regulations, no ordinary pious directions; they are Rules that have been approved by the Church after the most minute scrutiny. They have been judged holy and eminently capable of leading those who embraced them to their destination. They have become the property of the Church that adopted them… We are thus constituted… Be aware of your dignity… In the name of God let us be saints”
(Letter to Father Tempier, February 18, 1826).
It is the Church therefore that “constitutes” us what we are. She vouches to the faithful for the Gospel authenticity of the life-project we offer them.
F. Jetté, THE OFFICIAL APPROBATION OF OUR NEW CONSTITUTIONS, Letter – Rome 27/06/1982 http://www.omiworld.org/superior-general-writings.asp?v=W&sID=4
I was unable to access the full letter of Fr. Jetté as the link failed to find the server.
“….For a religious family the issues at stake are substantial; it invites men to leave everything, to give up establishing themselves in this world in order to commit themselves in a radical way and within a group to the following of Christ.” I think that there could be a temptation for me today to start comparing and measuring [of all of us, our lives, what we are called to]. But when I look at this it is no small thing. To truly let go of what we are clearly “expected” to do in life [get a job, buy a house, marry and raise a family, progress in a career – always striving for more and more]. Eugene and his Oblates, then and now, left a life of some comfort to listen to God’s call. Even within the Church as priests many of them seemed assured of a measurement of comfort and power. But these men truly let go of many of those dreams and aspirations in following the route they took. No wealth, no comfort, no great ‘careers’, and their families who they all loved – they too got left behind in a way. All to follow a path that was hidden, rough to walk and that had no visible end in sight. It was and it is a great thing. Giving your all.
“….some sort of divine guarantee for the work undertaken and the form of life he was offering his confreres.” How many of us daily question and wonder and pray for some kind of confirmation, for a sign, for a guarantee that we are headed in the right direction, that we are responding to the call of God. Even as I write this I find myself singing the line “wouldn’t it be nice” from the song from the Beach Boys. I know myself that I am often [not always but enough of the time] looking for affirmation that I too in my life am where I am called to be. This affirmation then, this support and confirmation from the church would in effect be in the name of God.
I love Eugene’s letter to Henri Tempier: “No mere trifles, these are no longer simple regulations, no ordinary pious directions; they are Rules that have been approved by the Church after the most minute scrutiny. They have been judged holy and eminently capable of leading those who embraced them to their destination. They have become the property of the Church that adopted them… We are thus constituted… Be aware of your dignity… In the name of God let us be saints”. Eugene who loved the church, with all of it’s brokenness and all of it’s holiness. “We are thus constituted…” incredible strength in those few words, and I hear them said in joy, “be aware of your dignity”, again strength and surely a message to many today. “….let us be saints” his whole life tied up in this small package of four humble words.
It will be a wonderful celebration on Sunday, not just for the Oblates, for all of us who make up this Mazenodian family join with you in thanking God for this grace and way of living, we celebrate with you, we celebrate you and each other.
http://omiworld.org/superior-general-writings.asp?sID=4&ID=28
Thanks Frank for this Text as it reminds us of the importance to the Constitutions and Rules and how they not only call us in the de Mazenodian Family together but at the same time sends us forth.
While I read his letter to Tempier, I am also reading from his diary and though elated by the approval of the CC:RR, he was also overwhelmed by long hours of copying text (no computers or and it was to expensive to get a copyist) and meeting official.
So let us give thank for each and the life in which we have embraced and have been embrace by. LJC et MI
Thanks for the updated link Jack – it was long but worth the read. Today I have had the experience of being part of a teleconference that helps us move on our way, one step closer to the reality of becoming an Oblate Associate of our Province. It too has been a long road (or so it seems) just as must of all that copying and writing have seemed to Eugene. But at the end of the road it will have been worth it I am sure.
I wish you now a Happy Feast Day [at least that’s what I’m calling it] on Sunday. Will be thinking of you and keep you in my prayers – we’ll all celebrate in spirit.