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Would I love Eugene any less if he was not a canonized saint?
Unlikely! I was touched by Eugene in a personal way when first we met and since then have grown to love him. His first invitation to me was to stand beneath my crucifix before reading his letter. He was the first saint presented to me as being so human and his second invitation was: “We must lead men [and women] to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and, finally, we must help them to become saints.”
I had always wanted to be a saint – one who was greatly loved by God and who gave their whole beings over to loving God – whatever that would look like.
Whether it was deliberate or not, this return of “Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us..” on the day we celebrate his birth was long awaited – or so it seemed…
Eugene de Mazenod, Bishop of Marseilles, Founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Oblate/Mazenodian Family, priest, pastor, teacher, friend… and yes saint.
“Saint Eugene de Mazenod, share with us your love for Christ the Saviour… Be with us in all our efforts.”
Today I celebrate in a special way the birth of Eugene de Mazenod as I look back and remember how God gave the Oblates to me as gift and gave me to the Oblates as gift: back then I did not know what that would look like as time went by.
Beloved, as we celebrate and give thanks for Eugene’s birth I also give thanks for this new day which You have given. A new day and so a new step and way of being in my life. I do not yet know what it will look like but it begins with You.
My heart sings with joy and gratitude…