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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on FAITH-FOCUSED INVESTMENT GROUPS: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on VIVAT: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WE SHOW A VERY HUMAN FACE OF JESUS TO THE WORLD, ONE FULL OF COMPASSION AND SOLIDARITY (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVANGELIZATION (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WALKING THE LINE BETWEEN PROPHETIC VISION AND SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE (CONSTITUTION 9)
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Category Archives: LETTERS
TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: APPRECIATION OF THE OBLATES BY THE POPES
Going against the advice of his cardinals, Pope Leo made it clear that “ it was his will that our Society, whose value seemed evident to him, receive the guarantee of the solemn approbation.” In the somewhat flowery language of … Continue reading
TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE INVITATION TO TRACE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR HISTORY
Then in a poetic way, Eugene invites us to re-read the events from God’s perspective: Normally the same fate would have been in store for us. But divine Providence, which from our cradle has surrounded us with vigilant care, and … Continue reading
TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE INVITATION TO BE GENEROUS AS GOD HAS BEEN GENEROUS WITH US
In helping the Oblates to understand and live the grace of the enormous blessing that God has given to the Congregation, Eugene points out that we have the responsibility to respond with a quality of work that measures up to … Continue reading
TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE CALL TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE THROUGH A RENEWED APPRECIATION OF OUR RULE
What gratitude, in keeping with such a favour, can we possibly offer to God who is so great and so good? Continuing his reflection on the meaning of the papal approval, Eugene stresses that the only way that we can … Continue reading
TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: REJOICE WITH ME FOR IT HAS PLEASED THE LORD TO GRANT US GREAT FAVORS
To accompany the papal letter of approbation, Eugene wrote a letter to the whole Oblate Congregation to spell out the meaning of this for us. Its importance is highlighted by the fact that he wrote it in Latin, signifying that it … Continue reading
BACK TO ROME!
In recent weeks I have reproduced the previously-published reflections on “Who is Eugene de Mazenod” to coincide with the feast of St. Eugene and with the Oblate vocations novena. In the past year the number of adherents to the site … Continue reading
WHO IS SAINT EUGENE? THE YOUNG MAN IN SEARCH OF HIMSELF
1802 – At the insistence of his mother, Eugene returned to France at the age of 20. His mother had divorced his father in order to regain the family wealth from the Revolutionary authorities who had confiscated the properties of … Continue reading
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED – THE CHURCH RECOGNIZES US!
After nearly four months of hectic activity, Eugene could announce that the text of the brief of approval was ready to be signed by the Pope! Mission accomplished! APOSTOLIC LETTER OF APPROBATION GIVEN TO THE INSTITUTE, RULES AND CONSTITUTIONS OF … Continue reading
THE APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES: MAY WE LEARN TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES
Reflecting on the meaning of the approbation for us, Eugene reviews the whole process and sees the work of God at every step. In this long extract from this important letter to the Oblates, Eugene summarizes the events which led … Continue reading
THE APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES: ALL ABANDONED SOULS, WHEREVER THEY ARE, WILL ALWAYS BE THE OBJECT OF OUR ZEAL AND WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO OUR SERVICES
Eugene has often been described as an apostle with a heart as big as the world. His missionary zeal and generosity only came about in response to God’s zeal and generosity in his own life, and then in the life … Continue reading