OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: MISSIONARIES TO THE POOR ACCORDING TO THE EXAMPLE OF MARY, WHO WAS FULLY ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE POOR

We are members of the prophetic Church. While recognizing our own need for conversion, we bear witness to God’s holiness and justice. We announce the liberating presence of Jesus Christ and the new world born in his resurrection. We will hear and make heard the clamour of the voiceless, which is a cry to God who brings down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the lowly (cf. Lk 1: 52).

CC&RR, Constitution 9

The wording of this Constitution startled some when the time came for its ecclesiastical approval. Father Jetté, who was the Superior General, responded in the name of the Oblates:

“The allusion to Mary’s canticle is to be read in the biblical perspective of salvation. As Oblates of Mary Immaculate we love to live our vocation of missionaries to the poor according to the example of her who was fully attentive to the needs of the little ones and the poor among God’s People. On January 30, 1979, in his homily at the shrine of Zapopan (Mexico), Pope John Paul II did not hesitate to quote this same passage when he was speaking of the Christian commitment to serving the poorest of the poor” (Réponse aux Observations de la S.C.R.I.S., April 16, 1982)” F. Jetté, The Apostolic Man, p. 103

Mary Immaculate is patroness of our Congregation. Open to the Spirit, she consecrated herself totally as lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Saviour. She received Christ in order to share him with all the world, whose hope he is. In her, we recognize the model of the Church’s faith and of our own.

CC&RR, Constitution 10

During this bicentenary year, for many months I have been exploring the theme of “The Founding Vision Today” – showing how Eugene de Mazenod’s founding vision has been our motivating force for two hundred years, and how that vision continues to be expressed today. We have followed the first ten constitutions of our Rule of Life, which synthesize our Oblate vision, charism and spirituality. Today’s entry concludes this exploration.

PAUSE

We will return to reflecting on St. Eugene’s writings in chronological order from where we left off earlier in the year. There will, however, be a pause in these reflections for some weeks. This is due to a variety of factors which are beyond my control. I look forward to resuming these reflections with renewed vigor and enthusiasm in the not-too-distant future.

In the meantime I invite you to re-read some of the many entries on www.eugenedemazenod.net

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1 Response to OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: MISSIONARIES TO THE POOR ACCORDING TO THE EXAMPLE OF MARY, WHO WAS FULLY ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE POOR

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    Today I find myself pausing and giving thanks for life. In a world that is stretched so tightly with tensions born out of hatred and fear, arrogance and unawareness of the other, it is gratitude for all that I have been given that allows me to focus of what I have received rather than what I do not have.

    Many years ago I took a ‘break’ from Church – stopped going to regular Sunday Mass and would enter the Church only for the funeral of friends who had died or to pray silently before the Blessed Sacrament. There was a woman named Mary who worked at our Church and every time she saw me she would gently ask how I was doing, tell me that they missed me and that I was always welcome there. It was her quiet strength that I noticed, her patience.

    I finally decided that it was time for me to return – I not only needed to, I wanted to come back and I recognized that somehow I would be able to do it with the guidance and support of Mary, our Mother. Gratitude for both Marys. Gratitude to God (the given that all else flows from). Gratitude for St. Eugene’s invitation to share in his spirit with the Oblates and the entire Mazenodian Family.

    Thank you Frank for all that you give to us in providing us a place to be and live with Oblate hearts. We learn from Eugene himself. I give thanks to all who come to this sacred space hidden in our hearts. Happy Thanksgiving Day!

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