Earlier in his letter, Eugene had exclaimed,
Have you understood, dear friend, and may all of our dear Brothers grasp, the worth of this word uttered by the mouth of the Head of the Church of Jesus Christ!
Now he draws a clear conclusion from this moment: the responsibility of each Oblate to consider the Oblate Rule with a new vision and a new sense of responsibility.
Let all of you redouble your fervour and faithfulness for the observance of the Rules. You know that today they have taken on a more authoritative character. Try to respond to the expectations of the supreme Head of the Church, this is the means to draw down upon us and upon our holy ministry new blessings.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 22 December 1825, EO VI n 213
“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” +Jimmy Carter
I must admit to having wished more than once that life presented all of us with a book of constitution and rules to live by, for they are like a framework, a set of guidelines as to how we can live out our gospel values. They are an invaluable gift to live with and by. I like the term, “Rule of Life”. There is I believe a very real joy upon receiving this Rule of Life and rather than them becoming an onerous responsibility they become instead a joy. For all who follow them, this Rule of Life becomes a freedom rather than a burden of any kind. Like the cross that the Oblates wear, they state this is who you are, this is how you live.
Our Oblates have just received or are now receiving their new CC&RR. In many places they are being given to the men as a part of a small ritual. Here during our December 8th celebration, the Oblates of Ontario District received their copy of the new Constitution and Rules from the Provincial who said: “Accept this book of life. Hold it in esteem as the precious Rule for your own sanctity and for the service of the poor. Keep it always before your eyes and still more within your heart. Do this, and live!”
I know that envy is wrong, but I have to admit that as a single lay person in the Church , as an Oblate Associate, that I could receive such a gift. “Do this, and live” indeed!