THE MISSIONS AND OTHER WORKS OF ZEAL EMBRACED BY OUR CHARISM

Posted on February 28, 2022 by franksantucci

In Canada the Oblates had arrived to begin their mission in Bytown (Ottawa today) and their bishop had written about this to Eugene. He was the second Canadian bishop to have welcomed the Oblates.

The letter that you have done me the honour of writing filled me with a holy joy. You also have adopted and placed under your pastoral mantle the sons of Mary Immaculate. They already had a father and a very good father in our dear and venerable friend, the bishop of Montreal and now Providence gives them a second father in your person whose kindnesses and powerful protection they have already experienced. Do not doubt, Monseigneur, that they have for you the same sentiments that they bear for him who first called them into his diocese and confided to them the worthy ministry that they have exercised for several years with blessings from God.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate are eminently men of the bishops, founded only to be instruments in their hands of their own ministry for the sanctification of their flocks. The bishops have no priests more submissive, more devoted than them. (See my comment on this expression in https://www.eugenedemazenod.net/?p=4885).

While assuring the bishop of their pastoral cooperation, Eugene stresses ” the missions and other works of zeal embraced by their Institute” – Oblate pastoral cooperation always need to keep our distinctive characteristic and mission in mind. Whatever work we accept in a diocese has to be in keeping with our God-given charism.

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One Response to THE MISSIONS AND OTHER WORKS OF ZEAL EMBRACED BY OUR CHARISM

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:
    February 28, 2022 at 11:44

    I am reminded of Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians, chapter 3: “For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.”

    After some years away from the Church I returned with the help of some wonderful Franciscan priests, nourished with a specific taste and yet it was to and with the Oblates and the Mazenodian Family that I have ultimately been called and sent to serve and walk-with.

    It is not to ourselves that we have been called and sent, but rather to serve in the “missio Dei”, God’s mission.

    It takes immense humility, truth and courage to lives as we are called. “Let it be done unto me according to Your word.” My heart belongs to God and yet it is Mazenodian in the way that it beats and sends life to all parts of the Body of Christ.

    Reply

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