Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us

In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Hebrews 5:7-9

 In the incarnation, Jesus became fully human and became one with us in all our experiences. On the cross, he entered into the extreme experience of human hopelessness: the sense of having been abandoned by God.

 He became one with us in all those situations where we cry out in darkness and despair: “Where are you God, why are you absent?”

 EUGENE RECOGNIZED JESUS FORSAKEN

Eugene knew darkness and seeming-hopelessness many times in his life. Yet he recognized that in these dark moments, his Savior was present, and he attests to this in constantly in his writings. Just one example from a situation of  darkness:

It is true that I have always put all my confidence in the goodness of God.

 Letter to Henri Tempier, 16 February 1826, EO VII n 224

THE OBLATE FAMILY RECOGNIZES JESUS FORSAKEN

As we embrace Jesus Forsaken on this Good Friday, let us embrace the door that he opened through his suffering and death: his resurrection and ours. 

“The cross of Jesus Christ is central to our mission… 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).”

Constitution 4

FOR EUGENE, THE EUCHARIST AS THE HEART OF HIS LIFE AND ACTION

Eugene had made his first communion on Holy Thursday at the College of Nobles in Turin. It was always an important moment for him to recall the joy of this important event. Antoine Ricard, who had been a diocesan seminarian in Marseille, illustrated this:

One Holy Thursday – as I personally recall – we were in the Cathedral of Marseille. The bishop (Eugene de Mazenod) was officiating with the gentle dignity and recollection that made him renowned among all the bishops, his contemporaries. Unexpectedly we saw him cry and, while trying, he could not conceal it. The seminarians who surrounded the bishop’s throne, struck by the emotion of the Bishop, were moved as they looked at him. He noticed this, and turning to one of them, the author of these lines, whose short-sightedness made his staring more obvious:

“Young man,” he said with that simplicity that made him win hearts, “do not be startled like that – today is the anniversary of my first communion.”

 Mgr Antoine RICARD, “Monseigneur de Mazenod, évêque de Marseille, fondateur de la Congrégation des Missionnaires Oblats de Marie Immaculée,” p. 12.

 THE EUCHARIST FOR THE OBLATE CHARISMATIC FAMILY

“The Eucharist, source and summit of the Church’s life, is at the heart of our life and action… In gratitude for this great Eucharistic gift, we will seek the Lord often in his sacramental presence.”

OMI Rule of Life, Constitution 33

Mt 26: 18-19

 EUGENE’S INEXHAUSTIBLE TRUST IN GOD’S GOODNESS

St Eugene knew darkness and seeming-hopelessness many times in his life. Yet he recognized that in these dark moments, his Savior was present. It was a Passover invitation, and he attests to this in constantly in his writings. Just one of many examples:

 Eugene had looked forward to retiring from Marseilles to devote himself more fully to the Oblate Congregation once his 87-year-old uncle retired or died. Unexpectedly, he was appointed to succeed his uncle as Bishop of Marseilles. Unburdening himself to his medical doctor and friend, Eugene revealed his fear about the nature of the responsibility that was now given to him for the rest of his life:

 Now here I am, doomed to die in harness and this terrible responsibility that I have always so feared, here it is ready to shatter me…

 For myself, I am bewildered when I reflect on it and have to summon up my inexhaustible trust in God’s goodness, in the help of the prayers of the just who still bother themselves about me, in the protection of the saints who have found themselves in the same crisis as myself, to win a little respite.

 Eugene’s letter to Doctor M. d’Astros, 16 April 1837, EO XV n 183

THE OBLATE CHARISMATIC FAMILY’S INEXHAUSTIBLE TRUST IN GOD’S GOODNESS

“It is as missionaries that we worship, in the various ways the Spirit suggests to us. We come before him bearing with us the daily pressures of our anxiety for those to whom he sends us (cf. 2 Cor 11:28). Our life in all its dimensions is a prayer that, in us and through us, God’s kingdom come.”

OMI Rule of Life, Constitution 32 

Peter said to him,
“Master, why can I not follow you now?
I will lay down my life for you.”
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?
Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
Jn 13:36

EUGENE’S DISCIPLESHIP:

I have entirely got over an illness that brought me to death’s door and from which I recovered only through the countless and very fervent prayers that were made for me to the good God in every quarter of the town…

It was at the barracks where some 2000 Austrian prisoners were held that I contracted what they call jail fever. On the morning of St. Joseph’s feast day I was close to the end…

Eugene’s letter to his father, 17 June 1814, EO XV n. 126

OBLATE CHARISMATIC FAMILY’S DISCIPLESHIP

The OMI Rule of Life, Constitution 2, speaks of Oblate “men” – but I believe that this invitation touches everyone. Parents “leave everything” for the good of their children. medics “leave everything” to serve the sick, first responders “leave everything” to save lives etc – there are many ways of being disciples of Jesus.

“We are men “set apart for the Gospel” (Rom 1: 1), men ready to leave everything to be disciples of Jesus. The desire to co-operate with him draws us to know him more deeply, to identify with him, to let him live in us.”

POPE LEO XII
FOR FUTURE REMEMBRANCE OF THE MATTER

In conclusion, We firmly hope that the members of this holy Family, who are employed in the ministry of the word of God under Rules so well fitted to form hearts to piety, and who claim as their patroness the Virgin Mother ofGod conceived without sin, will strive with alltheir strength and especially by their example, to bring back to the bosom of the Mother of Mercy those men, whom Jesus Christ on His Cross willed to give her as sons. 

Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the Fisherman’s Ring, on the twenty first day of March, 1826, in the third year of Our Pontificate.

Apostolic Letter of Approbation, 21 March 1826, Missions O.M.I., n° 280 (1952), pp. 568 ff.

In the past 200 years, we have remained faithful to this :

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.

 CC&RR, Constitution 10

In legal language, the Pope states that because the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate has been approved by the Church, this approval is valid throughout the world and no local ecclesiastical authority can go against it.

It was for this recognition that Eugene had worked so hard to achieve: to be universally recognized as missionaries for the most abandoned and have the backing and support of the Church to facilitate this ministry in the most difficult conditions. The Oblate dream was blessed and assured of ongoing support.

POPE LEO XII
FOR FUTURE REMEMBRANCE OF THE MATTER

 In what has been stated above the same judgement and decision must be given by all judges whether ordinary, or delegated, and also by the Auditors for the causes of the Apostolic Palace, by the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, even those who are Legates A Latere, by Vice-Legates and Nuncios of the Holy See. And We withhold from all without exception the faculty and authority to interpret or judge in a different manner. Moreover, We render null and void beforehand any attempt to decree otherwise, knowingly or unknowingly, by any person or by any other authority, the Apostolic Constitutions, ordinances and other decrees to the contrary not-withstanding.

…Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the Fisherman’s Ring, on the twenty first day of March, 1826, in the third year of Our Pontificate.

Pope Leo XII

Apostolic Letter of Approbation, 21 March 1826, Missions O.M.I., n° 280 (1952), pp. 568 ff.

As a result, today we confidently assert:

Our love for the Church inspires us to fulfil our mission in communion with the pastors whom the Lord has given to his people; we accept loyally, with an enlightened faith, the guidance and teachings of the successors of Peter and the Apostles. (Constitution 6)

POPE LEO XII
FOR FUTURE REMEMBRANCE OF THE MATTER 

Finally, since the exercise of supreme authority in this Congregation serves as its special strength and support and since also from its very beginning, and in conformity with its Rules, this same Charles Joseph Eugene de Mazenod has been entrusted with, it, We, in view of his personal merits, by the bestowal of Our own approval, maintain him as its Superior General. 

These things We decree and sanction, and it is Our will that this Letter be now and in the future firm, valid, and efficacious, and that it possess and obtain its plenary and entire effects, and be of the fullest benefit in everything and in every place, both now and in the future, to all those to whom it is addressed.

…Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the Fisherman’s Ring, on the twenty first day of March, 1826, in the third year of Our Pontificate.

Apostolic Letter of Approbation, 21 March 1826, Missions O.M.I., n° 280 (1952), pp. 568 ff.

 Today the successor of Saint Eugene continues this ministry:

The Superior General is the Congregation’s living bond of unity. The example of his life, his apostolic zeal and the affection he holds for all Oblates stir the faith and charity of communities to ever greater efforts in response to the Church’s needs.

As the successor of St. Eugene de Mazenod, the Superior General will continually keep alive the missionary zeal at the heart of our charism, helping to break new ground at the service of evangelization.

CCRR, Constitution 133

We have seen how Eugene was inspired to change our name and the importance of this for our understanding of our identity. With this Papal Brief, the change was officially recognized and we can say thatthe Church gave us the name of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

POPE LEO XII

FOR FUTURE REMEMBRANCE OF THE MATTER

This being the situation, Our dear son Charles Joseph Eugene de Mazenod, Vicar General of the Bishop of Marseilles, Provost of the Chapter of the Canons of the Cathedral, and Founder of the said Society, has presented to Us a petition, humbly requesting Us, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, to approve by Our Apostolic Authority, both this family and its Rules, and to honour it with the title of Missionary Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, so that it may not be confused with those other Societies which also bear the name of Oblates of St. Charles.

Therefore, having taken into consideration that this Society was enriched with indulgences by Pius VII, Our Predecessor, and by Ourselves, that its great usefulness has been recognised by many Bishops, and that it will prove of considerable aid and enrichment to the Church in her afflicted condition … We hereby with a ready and willing mind, establish it, and wish it to be known by the name of the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, conceived without sin.

…Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the Fisherman’s Ring, on the twenty first day of March, 1826, in the third year of Our Pontificate.

Pope Leo XII

Apostolic Letter of Approbation, 21 March 1826, Missions O.M.I., n° 280 (1952), pp. 568 ff.

In biblical thought, the concept of a “name” is so much more significant than phonetics. To know the “name” is to know the essence, character, or nature of a person. If a person has different names, they represent different aspects of his nature. When there is a substantial change in a person’s identity, there is also a change of name. (stpaulcenter.com/posts/the-power-and-purpose-of-names-in-scripture)

 … This Society has for its aim the following objects: its members, who are bound by simple but perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and perseverance in the Institute itself, (from which vows they cannot be dispensed except by the Superior General or the Roman Pontiff).

…Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the Fisherman’s Ring, on the twenty first day of March, 1826, in the third year of Our Pontificate.

Pope Leo XII. Apostolic Letter of Approbation

From the beginning Eugene had realized the need for a permanent commitment for the members of the Missionary Society. Initially he and Henri Tempier made this commitment on Holy Thursday 1816. Two years later, all the Missionaries pronounced vows.

These, however, had no legal standing in the Church and were regarded as private vows. These few lines in the Papal Brief showed that the Church recognized that the Oblates were a legal Institute of Consecrated Life within the Church. Once lifetime vows had been made, it was only the Pope who could dispense the Oblate from his obligations. If they were temporary vows, only the Superior General could grant a dispensation. Our oblation binds us to the Church which is the Body of Christ.

Over the years, many members of our Charismatic Family have felt the need to make some form of public commitment as Lay Associates. They are not vows, but an expression of the seriousness of their desire to live their lives in the spirit of St Eugene and the Oblate charism. Being made in public adds the element of accountability to the faith community.