Basing himself on the official Acts of the Chapter and on the Memoires of Mariusz Suzanne, Rey describes the events:
On Monday 26 October was held a second session of the First General Chapter of the Society of Missionaries of Provence.
“Having gathered the priests of the community, the Founder suggested they proceed with the election of office bearers in the manner prescribed by the Statutes approved by them and to admit to this end the three in formation who had already taken part in their deliberations and who wished to engage themselves in that which they had been a part of drawing up. This was agreed upon and, after invoking the illumination of the Holy Spirit and calling on the protection of the Blessed Virgin, all the members present proceeded to vote for the appointment of those who were to be in charge of the Society.
There were seven priests present: the V. Rev. Fr. de Mazenod, Founder and Superior; Rev. Fr. Tempier, the first disciple and companion of Father de Mazenod, the Fathers Deblieu, Mie, Maunier, Marius Aubert and Moreau; plus the three novice students, Brothers Courtès, Suzanne and Dupuy.
All the members making up this assembly unanimously begged Father de Mazenod to kindly continue to hold office as Superior General of the Society. Then to manifest to Fr. Deblieu the affection that all had for him, despite his refusal to commit themselves by the vows, he was appointed, almost unanimously, as First Assistant and Admonitor to the Superior General. Fr. Maunier was appointed Second Assistant and Secretary General, Fr. Tempier, Third Assistant, Fr. Mie, Fourth Assistant and Fr. Courtès, Procurator General of the Society.”
Rey 1, p. 233
Our Rule of Life today reflects these beginnings:
United as brothers in one apostolic community, we are all equal before God our Father who distributes charisms and ministries so that we can serve his Church and its mission. Our organizational structures, accordingly, are set up in function of that mission.
Following the guidelines of the Constitutions and Rules, those in authority will make sure that the structures are flexible enough to evolve with our lived experience.
CC&RR Constitution 72
I find today’s reflection filled with immense trust, hope and love. 7 priests and 3 brothers, a very small society to begin with – less than the Twelve. In love and respect they appointed Deblieu as their ‘admonitor’ – not expelled he remained with them, eventually taking first vows.
I can only imagine the heady excitement of those first companions who took part in the actual drawing up of what we now call the OMI Constitutions and Rules.
As early as then, calling on the protection of the Blessed Virgin, she who would become their patron less than 10 years later, she who would be invoked in the very name of the congregation.
“We are all equal before God our Father… we serve his Church and its mission… [with] our organizational structures… set up in function of that mission… [ensuring] those structures are flexible enough to evolve with our lived experience”. The incredible beauty of Constitution 72.
Jesus sharing himself, his life, with all of us, within the Body of Christ which all of us get to be a part of – not just with the first Twelve but with all of us as we are called by God. The immensity of such a gift – back then, 200 years ago, and still today. And that Rule of Life which is shared with many of us, members of the Mazenodian Family and in a very particular way with us Oblate Associates. The immensity of that love and trust and hope – even as we struggle with parts of it – still it is shared with us who wish to become ‘cooperators of the Saviour’, who feel called to stand at the foot of the Cross…
That God, that my Beloved has called and chosen me and so many others… to be so blessed. I begin this week, this day, filled with gratitude and wonder. I think for a moment of Mary, our Mother and the words of the Magnificat sing within me: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exalts in God my Saviour; for He has looked with mercy on my loneliness and my name will be forever exalted. For the mighty god has done great things for me, and his mercy will reach from age to age. And holy, holy, holy is His name.