OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: MARY IMMACULATE IS OUR PATRONESS, MODEL OF FAITH, AND MOTHER

Picture1During this bicentenary year, for many months I have been exploring the theme of “The Founding Vision Today” – showing how Eugene de Mazenod’s founding vision has been our motivating force for two hundred years, and how that vision continues to be expressed today. We have reflected on the foundation and its meaning and the followed the first ten constitutions of our Rule of Life, which synthesize our Oblate vision, charism and spirituality.

On our patronal feast, we recall how Mary Immaculate is a part of our vision, charism and spirituality today:


Mary Immaculate is patroness of our Congregation. Open to the Spirit, she consecrated herself totally as lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Savior.

She received Christ in order to share him with all the world, whose hope he is. In her, we recognize the model of the Church’s faith and of our own.

We shall always look on her as our mother.
In the joys and sorrows of our missionary life, we feel close to her who is the Mother of Mercy.
Wherever our ministry takes us, we will strive to instil genuine devotion to the Immaculate Virgin who prefigures God’s final victory over all evil.

OMI Rule of Life, 
CC&RR Constitution 10

A Happy and Blessed Feast-day to each of you!

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5 Responses to OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: MARY IMMACULATE IS OUR PATRONESS, MODEL OF FAITH, AND MOTHER

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    A very Happy and Blessed Feast day to you too Frank.

    Today – a grand feast day, one that starts out quite ordinary. A day of preparation for a celebration tonight – not a lot of work – just preparation as I go about the ordinary of my day. But the ordinary is sprinkled with brief moments of anticipation of this evening’s celebration when our Mazenodian Family will come together. We will begin in and with prayer which will wrap a presentation of the recent General Chapter and then later move into a reception. Being together.

    And that is much like Our Lady, the ordinary of her life – but transformed.

    “…the Immaculate Virgin who prefigures God’s final victory over all evil.” I have chosen to focus my morning on this last line from Constitution 10 – there is in this great mystery. Unable to explain it I can only sit with wonder and gratitude. I look at the picture above of the Oblate Madonna, beautiful in gold and at the same time I picture her with Elizabeth – pregnant with our Lord; “my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for his has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty one has done great things for me and holy is his name.” There is too the image of Mary, standing at the foot of the cross. Each image separate and super-imposed upon and a part of the other.

    • franksantucci says:

      A time to give thanks for so much! Today’s feast celebrates that, despite our weaknesses and past falls, there is hope and healing and that we are never alone on the journey of discipleship. With Mary Immaculate we renew the heart of our Oblate vocation:
      “Through the eyes of our crucified Saviour we see the world which he redeemed with his blood, desiring that those in whom he continues to suffer will know also the power of his resurrection (cf. Phil 3: 10).” CC&RR, Constitution 4

  2. kirk says:

    Dear Frank, Eleanor and all,

    I wish you all a very Happy Feast Day! Thanks for all the sharing of insights each day.
    God bless

    Kind regards

    Kirk

    • franksantucci says:

      Thanks, Kirk! I wish you and the whole animation team of the Anglo-Irish Province a Blessed Feast Day. Over the years each of you has been an inspiration to me of how Eugene’s charism continues to be alive, relevant and meaningful to many today. May your Oblate ministry, carried out as laity and religious, continue to be a blessing to many.

    • Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

      Dear Kiri,

      A very happy and blessed Feast Day to you and to all over there in England and Ireland. My love land prayers to you all. Eleanor

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