HE PAID SPECIAL ATTENTION THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE TO THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE POOR, WHEREVER THEY WERE FOUND

From the canonization homily:

 Eugene de Mazenod had, in fact, felt very deeply the universality of the Church’s mission. He knew that Christ wanted to unite the entire human race to himself. That is why he paid special attention throughout his life to the evangelization of the poor, wherever they were found.

Founded in Provence, in his native region, the Congregation was not slow in spreading “to the ends of the earth.”  Through preaching based on meditation on the Word of God, it put into practice the exhortations of Saint Paul: “How can one believe without having heard the Word of the Lord? How can one hear his Word if no one has proclaimed it?” Proclaiming Christ,  for Eugene de Mazenod, meant becoming that apostolic man whom every age needs, with the spiritual fervor and missionary zeal that gradually configured him to the Risen Christ.

Pope John Paul 2

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1 Response to HE PAID SPECIAL ATTENTION THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE TO THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE POOR, WHEREVER THEY WERE FOUND

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    “Proclaiming Christ, for Eugene de Mazenod, meant becoming that apostolic man whom every age needs, with the spiritual fervor and missionary zeal that gradually configured him to the Risen Christ.”

    Although Eugene de Mazenod began his work following the French Revolution it did not end there. In fact it spread through his first companions around the world and it continues to be alive and relevant today.

    I look at the calendar and count the number of “sleeps” until the 3rd. I am a little surprised at the excitement, the anticipation to celebrate that is building within me. A special way of giving thanks and being nourished and renewed. And that it takes place around the world, with thousands and millions of us, past and present. A communion.

    It no longer matters in a sense, whether we are men or woman, religious or lay. This is where God has brought each of us to be, to belong, to serve and to love; all that and more on our journey towards fulfillment with God.

    Our Province has found a way for us to come together and celebrate in prayer and reflection – from across the country, from within our homes, offices, churches and chapels. Indeed I am looking forward to seeing loved ones from across our province. Through technology it is possible for us to meet and be together in new ways.

    I remember an Oblate, a particular son of St. Eugene who once asked the question “how are you a living Gospel; how in your life do you proclaim the Good News?” Eugene has taught us how, shared and shown us a way to proclaim the Good News with our lives. I think of the beautiful little Rule of Life which he gave us and which has been shared down through the years.

    “Come let me show you and each other who we all are in the eyes of God…”

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