LIVING HOLY WEEK WITH SAINT EUGENE:  CAN I FORGET THE SIGHT OF THE CROSS?

 Can I forget the bitter tears that the sight of the cross brought streaming from my eyes one Good Friday?

Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130

“Can I forget … the sight of the cross?” asks Eugene?

Every action of his life, every time that he preached the Gospel, every time that he held out his hands to the poor and most abandoned, it was a proclamation of: “Never can I forget the sight of the cross!”

It is the only distinctive sign that he gave to the Oblates – under which every aspect of our lives is to unfold: “Never forget the sight of the cross!”

“Through the eyes of the Crucified Savior” is the only point of view through which the Mazenodian family is called to see the world: “Never forget the sight of the cross!”

At the very end of his life, Father Tempier wrote to the Oblates: “It is not possible to tell you the example he gave, the sentiments he manifested during these three days [of preparing himself for the Sacrament of the sick]. We consider it a special grace to have seen and heard what we did. He cried out:

I am on the cross. I gladly stay on the cross and offer my sufferings to God for my dear Oblates

Circular letter no. 2 of January 29, 1861 in Oblate Writings II, vol. 2, no. 116. 

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1 Response to LIVING HOLY WEEK WITH SAINT EUGENE:  CAN I FORGET THE SIGHT OF THE CROSS?

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    Last night I came home from Mass – the Eucharist – Communion – it was late and as I closed my eyes I found myself in the Garden and I wanted simply to ‘be’ there with you – not to change anything simply to ‘be’ there as you always are for me. I found myself crying but I could not say why – you were alone and suffering.

    Here today, Good Friday, a new way of focusing – a new way of experiencing. “…every time he held out his hands to the poor and most abandoned…” a proclamation of ‘never can I forget the sight of the cross’. For an instant I get it – seeing the eyes of the crucified Saviour – loving. Loving.
    Loving – so much more than just a nice and pious word. It is everything, surrounds and embraces everything, everyone. You who were so disdained that they nailed you to a cross. Love. Forgive them for they know not what they do. Love.

    Eugene – “I am on the cross. I gladly stay on the cross and offer my sufferings to God for my dear Oblates.” When I feel like I am on the Cross, or I see another who is there beside you – How do I ‘offer’ it up – because its got to be more than just words. What does that look like? It is not just a wiping it out, pretending it never happened and ‘moving on’. It is a response. Eugene’s response was to join you there and love. There it is love. If like you Lord, if Like Eugene, to see through your eyes – the response is always love. Your death – the total response – love.

    I have never started out Good Friday in this way Lord. It’s always been a day of solemnity and heaviness which I keep pushing back – making you wait until I get to Church later on and get busy serving others. This being here this morning is more than stopping along the roadside to maybe see you roadside as you pass by; I am not sure, I am afraid it I really stop and see you – and if our eyes meet I will never be the same.

    Who am I kidding – our eyes have met and I will never be the same again – this morning I have gotten up early to walk with you. Love.

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