OUR FOUNDING VISION: AS PERCEIVED BY AN ASSOCIATE

Michael Dan Doyle, an Associate from Saltspring Island Canada, was inspired to compose this in response to Eugene’s founding vision:

EM imageO Saint Eugene, you touched the poor, and opened wide the mission door.
To gather in through their own voice, the least among the church’s choice.
And so went forth your blessed charism, to bring God’s children to the Gates of Heaven,
You called for Brothers to take the cross, and sent them out to seek the lost.
Across the seas to regions far,
they spread the Faith under heaven’s stars.
By voyager canoe midst snow and storm,
His Redeeming Sacraments to perform.
Through Bountiful prairies they journeyed on, giving praise to Thee with Holy songs.
Toward crowning auroras their preaching turned,
His Divine Providence to discern.
Over mountain ranges by His Pure Light, their spirits sought His lofty heights.
Then to coastal forests by heat of day, they struggled on to reveal His Way.
As Mary Immaculate sons they came, the Word of God to proclaim.
Dear Brother Oblates, bless you all, as we your Triennium now recall.
Glory Be to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
For through Your Love they keep us close.

(Reproduced with permission)

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2 Responses to OUR FOUNDING VISION: AS PERCEIVED BY AN ASSOCIATE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I have read and reread this, each time allowing it to enter deeper into my being. This is one of those moments to celebrate and rejoice in the talents and gifts of another – this morning here with what Michael Dan Doyle has shared of himself. His expression of Eugene and his vision brings alive for me R37a of the Constitutions and Rules. “The charism of Saint Eugene de Mazenod is a gift of the Spirit to the Church, and it radiates throughout the world. Lay people recognize that they are called to share in the charism according to their state of life, and to live it in ways that vary according to milieu and cultures. They share in the charism in a spirit of communion and reciprocity amongst themselves and with the Oblates.”

    I keep returning to the words above “To gather in through their own voice, the least among the church’s choice.” I think of Fr. Paul Feeley OMI who died on Sunday night. Paul had spent many many of his years missioning down in Peru and he spoke with deep love of the people he met and served down there. He spoke of the richness of the Peruvian peoples. He spoke of them in a way that I somehow liken to how Eugene in his 1813 Lenten homily spoke of the poor as being his brothers and heirs to the kingdom of God. His heart was big – as seem to be the hearts of Eugene’s sons and daughters. Paul returned to Canada and serving the poor here, at one point becoming Superior of Ontario District in Lacombe Province. It was here that I met him. It was not instant liking – on either of our parts as I was the first lay advisor to his council. But our hearts persevered and I grew to love him and to like him. Later after others stepped into the shoes we had worn Paul and I came to be good friends. I grew to love him dearly and watched him serving his brother Oblates and the Associates here – always including us without any walls. I learned much from Paul – about him, about God and about myself. I will miss our Monday morning visits.

    Paul was an avid reader, very well read. I hope that Mr. Doyle does not mind for I will share this poem with him. It captures not only Eugene and his vision, but also the vision that Paul looked with upon the world.

  2. David Morgan, Oblae Associate says:

    I rather liked Fr. Paul. I found him easy to talk to and I loved the twinkle in his eyes. His voice and demeanor reminded me of an uncle I had.

    These verses from the last chapter of Mark speak to me about Paul this morning:

    15 Then Jesus said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all.
    16 Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned.
    17 “These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues,
    18 they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well.”

    Rest in peace Brother.

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