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.-
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“A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” 1857
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.