IT WILL SERVE AS THE UNIFORM WHICH CONSTITUTES US EXTERIORLY AS MARY’S ELITE TROOPS

Eugene’s diary entry notes:

It is appropriate to recount here the privilege granted to our congregation by our Holy Father Pope Gregory XVI, in regard to the scapular or little habit of the Holy Virgin, decreed by the general chapter of 1837.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 20 August 1843, EO XXI

The 1837 General Chapter had asked that a cloth scapular of the Virgin Mary be given to every Oblate on the day of his perpetual oblation. This custom continues today, except that the cloth scapular has been replaced by a medal of Mary Immaculate.

I have had a copy made of the rescript which authorizes superiors to bless the scapulars of the Immaculate Conception which the Chapter of 1837 adopted… This hidden apparel, which will be your own, must be dear to all the members of the Congregation. It will serve as the uniform which distinguishes us from the simple servants of Mary and which constitutes us exteriorly as her elite troops. On the day of oblation, it will be blessed solemnly just like the cross and placed momentarily on the soutane of the new Oblate. After the ceremony, he will hide it under the soutane, taking care to let the two pendants fall one on the chest and the other on the shoulders.

Letter to Father Jean Baptiste Honorat, 18 August 1843, EO I n 24

The meaning of the scapular continues to be expressed today:

We shall always look on her as our mother. In the joys and sorrows of our missionary life, we feel close to her who is the Mother of Mercy. Wherever our ministry takes us, we will strive to instil genuine devotion to the Immaculate Virgin who prefigures God’s final victory over all evil. CC&RR Constitution 10

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1 Response to IT WILL SERVE AS THE UNIFORM WHICH CONSTITUTES US EXTERIORLY AS MARY’S ELITE TROOPS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    There is much to pre-occupy my thoughts and sentiments this morning; “…as the uniform which distinguishes us from the simple servants of Mary and which constitutes us exteriorly as her elite troops.” I am reminded for a moment of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went into the temple to pray (Luke 18). I become distracted for a bit about the idea of a uniform – is it to set us apart of from others or to remind us of our commonalities? I reflect for a moment on why I wear my beautiful little cross. It is a symbol, but it is more than that for it is also a touchstone that I use to connect with others, to remind myself of what is truly most important to me, a focus on my Beloved who was stripped of everything, left without a uniform or even a rag to cover himself as he died on the cross.

    I remember as a child not being allowed to play with some of the other children on our block – for most of them were not catholic and they were deemed to be less than us when it came to God’s love and worthiness. How sad to separate ourselves from others in order to place ourselves above and over them.

    So, I turn my eyes toward Mary, the Mother of God, our mother as given to us by Jesus on the cross as he was dying. “Open to the Spirit, she consecrated herself totally as a lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Saviour.” (C 10) Model of Oblation, not raising herself up but giving of herself in loving service. Model of Humility, she sings praise to God in what we now call the Magnificat. Mary, who gave birth to our Saviour in a stable, surrounded not by the elite of the world, but by the shepherds and the common farm animals. Mary, Model of Fidelity, who stood at the foot of the cross. Model of Tenderness and Love, who with Joseph taught Jesus about loving and total consecration. Mary, named Queen of Heaven. With Jesus, we share you with the world.

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