IN MARY IMMACULATE WE RECOGNIZE THE MODEL OF THE CHURCH’S FAITH AND OF OUR OWN

The previous two reflections examined the place of Mary in our life and ministry. On 17 February  1826, the Church approved the change of title from Missionaries of Provence to Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Eugene reflected on the meaning of this change: 

May we understand well what we are! I hope that the Lord will give us this grace, with the assistance and by the protection of our holy Mother, the Immaculate Mary, for whom we must have a great devotion in our Congregation. Does it not seem to you that it is a sign of predestination to bear the name of Oblates of Mary, that is, consecrated to God under the patronage of Mary, a name the Congregation bears as a family name held in common with the most holy and immaculate Mother of God?

Letter to Henri Tempier, 20 March 1826, EO VII n 231

Today these sentiments continue as our Rule shows:

“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.” (CC&RR Constitution 10)

These are the sentiments of the Rule of Life of the Missionary Oblates, but by replacing the word “Congregation” with “Mazenodian Family” we understand the role of Mary for each of us as it is expressed in our various ways of life. She is the model of our response to the gift of Jesus Christ, whom she received in order to share with the world.

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1 Response to IN MARY IMMACULATE WE RECOGNIZE THE MODEL OF THE CHURCH’S FAITH AND OF OUR OWN

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    “May we understand well what we are!”

    This morning the words seem to jump off the screen; almost tripping over each other in their eagerness to settle into my heart, becoming a beacon of light.

    It seems that I could spend hours, even days reflecting on what we are offered this morning. Eugene’s invitation: “…come and I will show you who you are in the eyes of God” comes to mind. This is what he has been doing that with me since we met, and it continues today.

    “She is the model of our response to the gift of Jesus Christ, whom she received in order to share with the world.” I think of all that I have been given and perhaps one of the greatest gifts has been to share with others. I am not sure I could ever have thought of that on my own, yet it has been and is the most natural of ways to be. Since first I tasted a sip from the cup of love I was filled with the desire to ask for more even as I began to look for ways to share everything I was given with others.

    This morning begins another week of being and doing, under the guidance of Mary our Mother. I may not be able to understand perfectly all that is put before me or offered to me, but I want to accept them, take them in and allow them to become a part of me; then I will be able to share them with others.

    It is as a member of this Mazenodian Family that I reflect on what I, what we are offered. This gift helps me to understand well who and what I am.

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