“The Son of God became man for our salvation but only in Mary and through Mary.” (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
In 1825 Eugene went to Rome to seek official Church recognition for the Missionaries and their Rule from the Pope. It was there that he was inspired to change our name to Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Once the decision had been made, and Eugene had officially requested this new name, he was filled with joy at having done the right thing.
Oblates of the Immaculate Mary. But this is a passport to heaven! How have we not thought of it sooner?
Letter to Henri Tempier, 22 December 1825, EO VI n 213
Why had he not thought of it before?
Eugene “seems to become aware of the fact that, even if he had always loved Mary, he had not yet understood the essential role she played in the plan of Redemption. In searching for the patron who best expressed the goal of his Congregation – that is a person walking in the footsteps of Christ, committed to the apostolate of service and to the instruction of the poor – he had not thought of Mary. While in Rome, he understood who Mary really was. The title of the Congregation was thus born from a discovery that, in order to respond in an authentic way to the urgent needs of the Church, its members should identify with Mary Immaculate “to offer themselves” to the service of God’s plan of salvation like she did.” Casimir Lubowicki, “Mary” in the Dictionary of Oblate Values, https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/mary/
“Once the decision had been made, and Eugene had officially requested this new name, he was filled with joy at having done the right thing.” I am reminded of some years earlier in his life when Eugene did not immediately respond to his friend Forbin Janson asking him to respond to the Pope’s requests for missions and to become a member of the Missionaries of France. He was not holding out for a better position, as suggested and queried by a friend of mine. Eugene was simply waiting for the Holy Spirit to advise him, to guide him. Eugene responded by founding a community of like-minded men to work with the poorest of the poor, those left untouched by the structures of the Church. We know that just as he did later on in Rome, he moved forward in response to the Spirit’s urgings, with a sense of joy and purpose. He was moving in God’s time.
I think of the many times that I am reading scripture, preparing to share it with others: reading a few words that suddenly seem to leap off of the page into my heart which is listening. I could well ask of myself “Why had I not thought of it before?”
I think of the many times I have experienced “aha” moments in coming to this place each day. I could ask myself why it took me so long, but I have discovered that question to be unanswerable and simply a distraction.
We are faced with the same struggles and distractions as Eugene experienced, opportunities to love are offered many times before we see and accept them. It is not about the time wasted before realization and recognition became a part of us, but rather about how we did respond. Hopefully it is with the same joy and response as Eugene experienced…
I may be new to the Mazeenodian Family, but certainly NOT to the Missionary Oblatez overall..I have been serving with Obates since 1966 and would enjoy continuing if I am needed and wanted… I don’t feel that the Oblates owe me anything.. But I would love the honor of wearing the smaller size Oblat Cross…I’ve been told “NO” many times.. I cannot understand.. The small Oblate cross; why would the order refuse this honor to some brothers and sisters who are part off the orders’ daily life…My friends, can we adapt and show the Order this would be a good thing…