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Recent Posts
- GOD ALONE KNOWS HOW TO REWARD WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR HIM. SO, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO PLEASE HIM
- IT IS A CONSOLATION FOR ME TO BREATHE THE SAME AIR, TO OFFER THE HOLY SACRIFICE ON THE SAME ALTARS, TO BE ABLE TO PRAY AT HIS TOMB
- THERE IS NOT A CORNER OF ROME WHICH IS NOT A MONUMENT OF FAITH OR PIETY
- THE ROMAN MARTYRS ARE STILL THE OBJECT OF VENERATION OF PEOPLES
- THE CITY OF ROME AS THE COMPENDIUM OF CHRISTIANITY
Recent Comments
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on FAITH-FOCUSED INVESTMENT GROUPS: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on VIVAT: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WE SHOW A VERY HUMAN FACE OF JESUS TO THE WORLD, ONE FULL OF COMPASSION AND SOLIDARITY (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVANGELIZATION (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WALKING THE LINE BETWEEN PROPHETIC VISION AND SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE (CONSTITUTION 9)
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“You belong to the Mazenodian Family”!
In the flurry of preparing for our celebrations which will take place on and around the anniversary of February 17th it can be easy to forget what is behind our joy. Today I am reminded of the humble beginnings of this family, of the struggles to bring together like-minded men whose aim was as stated in The Preface: “We must lead men to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and, finally, we must help them to become saints.” And then also from the Nota Bene notes that Eugene presented to Pope Leo XII: “…to the work of the missions, which is the main reason for their union… resolve to obey the following Constitutions and Rules; by living them they hope to obtain all the benefits they need for their own sanctification and for the sanctification of souls.”
This was not just a raising up of a few men whose main thought was their own private salvation, for the Spirit shared with them a charism, a gift that would be both personal and communal. These Constitutions and Rules are more than a list of laws and rules to be memorized and followed without thought or life. They are the living expression of the charism given to Eugene de Mazenod, shared with the founding community and members of the congregation in the past 200 years.
As Eugene said, Pope Leo praised AND approved the Rule of Life and the family continues to grow, embracing lay people who make a commitment to the congregation, the Church, to each other and all before God.
We will celebrate with the renewal of our vows and commitments, affirming our oblation. And we will witness and celebrate new members joining our family with joy and gratitude, smiles and tears as we look back and we look forward, as we look inward and outward…