SAINT EUGENE, MINISTER OF GOD-GIVEN HUMAN DIGNITY

1813: The beginning of Eugene’s preaching to the most abandoned:

Come now and learn from us what you are in the eyes of faith.

Poor of Jesus Christ, afflicted, wretched, suffering, sick, covered with sores, etc., all you whom misery oppresses, my brothers, dear brothers, respected brothers, listen to me.

You are God’s children, the brothers of Jesus Christ, heirs to his eternal kingdom, chosen portion of his inheritance…

…let your eyes see for once beneath the rags that cover you, there is within you an immortal soul made in the image of God whom it is destined to possess one day, a soul ransomed at the price of the blood of Jesus Christ, more precious in the eyes of God than all earth’s riches, than all the kingdoms of the earth, a soul of which he is more jealous than of the government of the entire universe.

Christians, know then your dignity…

Notes for the first instruction in the Church of the Madeleine, E.O. XV n. 114

But called by my vocation to be the servant and priest of the poor to whose service I would like to be able to devote my whole life, I cannot help being touched when I see the eagerness of the poor to hear my voice;

Instruction at the Madeleine on the fourth Sunday of Lent, E.O. XV n. 115

 

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3 Responses to SAINT EUGENE, MINISTER OF GOD-GIVEN HUMAN DIGNITY

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    This morning as I listen with my heart to the words that Eugene first preached from the Church of the Madeleine I find myself responding as fully as possible to take in and become imbued with what God is saying through Eugene, friend, father, founder, teacher, accompanier… My thoughts quickly turn to two experiences that I entered into this past weekend.

    The first was an invitation to all of the Oblates and Oblate Associates – in our Province to join together in discernment, into a process of “Moving Forward – Listening for the Spirit” in the months ahead. I felt myself being filled with anticipation and hope of what is to come, of being a part of something so much greater than just myself.

    “…there is within you an immortal soul made in the image of God whom it is destined to possess one day…” The second experience of note was to take part in an online live chat with Katharina and Inma, two of the Oblatas from Madrid Spain. They too touched and enflamed my heart as they shared with us their own experiences of being chosen and called to consecrated life and what that looks like in today’s world; their joys and their challenges. How they too live as models of the love of our crucified Saviour, within community and yet each being their own person.

    “Christians then – know your dignity”! A call to arms, a call to action – a call to renewal, to new life, renewed life, renewed energy, renewed hope.
    We become instruments of God to and with each other. “We are sent to evangelize the poor; the poor are evangelized”. Not just for “those others, those poor” but for and with each and all of us.

    “I cannot help being touched…”

  2. Romar Gil Bastian says:

    Providing esteem on other’s dignity gives the poor and oppressed a hope to cling more in God’s grace. Confidence in God is most precious thing that the poor and oppressed receive. Clinging more to God’s grace boosts our esteem and trust in Him.

    Few days have passed since I arrived here in Upi Maguindanao. I will will engage with the indigenous people under the supervision of Fr Jurambelle Sacil, OMI.

    Fr. Juram shared one particular challenge: water. There are few wells around the area where IP fetch water. We are just blessed this time because of rainy season. It will be more challenging if there is drought.

    The well indicates social cohession in this area. They go to the well not just to fetch water but to meet other persons and talk on matters of daily sustenance. The well is their source of water, information and survival.

    When Jesus and the Samaritan Woman met at the well, the Samaritan Woman’s dignity has been given significant importance by Jesus. The well became the instrument that made the Samaritan Woman cling to what Jesus said to her. The Samaritan Woman left the well with faith and trust in Jesus.

    This will be our prayer to ask God for His grace and make us wells where we help other’s in their fight for their dignity.

    • franksantucci says:

      Thank you for sharing this with us! It is such a gift when members fo the Mazenodian family tell us how the spirit and charism of St Eugene is alive today on the lives and actions of people. May we continue to help one another to be “wells” for the good of the most abandoned.

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