“In the prolonged silent prayer we make each day, we let ourselves be molded by the Lord, and find in him the inspiration of our conduct” (OMI Rule of Life, 33).
The practice of Oraison was an important part of St. Eugene’s daily prayer during which he entered into communion with the members of his missionary family. While they were all in France it was easy for them to gather in prayer at approximately the same time. When Oblate missionaries started to be sent to different continents it was no longer possible to pray at the same time, yet each day there was a time when they stopped and prayed in union with one another – even though not at the same time.
This is a practice that Eugene wanted the members of his religious family to maintain. This is why you are invited to take part in this practice of Oraison on Sunday, April 19, 2020, as we remember the hope of Easter Resurrection.
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From a letter of St Eugene to his mother:
After journeying with him through the sad event of his Passion, after weeping over the torments that our sins made him endure, how consoling it is to see him rise triumphant over death and hell, and what gratitude must fill our hearts at the thought that this good Master has really willed to make us sharers in his resurrection, destroying the sin that is in us and giving us a new life. (April 4, 1809)
1 Peter 1:3-9:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
Austin Cooper OMI suggests that St Eugene probably was not aware of time differences around the world. The creation of time zones only came with railways and the need for them to have timetables that were accurate in every area they stopped. Austin speculates that St Eugene pictured all of his family praying at literally the same moment – which of course we are in the mind of God.
I agree fully with Austin – which makes the whole oraison concept so beautiful: we can all be intentionally united at different times in God. Fr Drouart used to tell us that in Laos, the Oblates would stop to have the same time for oraison each day while being geographically scattered in the various villages.