“Mother Mary in her Magnificat sings the praises of the Lord. She challenges us and confronts us to be that advocate, that voice for those who are considered the least by society but looked upon as favored by God.” (Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley)
During this bicentenary month, I have been reflecting with you on the figure of Mary in the life and charism of St Eugene, and how that vision continues to be expressed today by the Mazenodian Family.
In our Constitutions and Rules we recall how Mary Immaculate is a part of our vision, charism and spirituality today:
Mary Immaculate is patroness of our Congregation. Open to the Spirit, she consecrated herself totally as lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Savior.
She received Christ in order to share him with all the world, whose hope he is. In her, we recognize the model of the Church’s faith and of our own.
We shall always look on her as our mother.
In the joys and sorrows of our missionary life, we feel close to her who is the Mother of Mercy.
Wherever our ministry takes us, we will strive to instil genuine devotion to the Immaculate Virgin who prefigures God’s final victory over all evil.
OMI Rule of Life,
CC&RR Constitution 10
Mary Immaculate is the Mother of the whole Mazenodian Family!
I Googled Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley and Wow! I discovered that she is a woman I would like to know, learn from – only because she seems to have made sharing her experience of God her life’s work through service and discipleship. Another I would like to emulate, not in the sense of bettering or rivaling, but of learning from…
I like the idea of Mary challenging and confronting – she does this and invites us to join her as she stands at the foot of the cross. I am reminded of Catherine Doherty, Dorothy Day, Chiara Lubich and my dear friend Kay Cronin HOMI who have become models for me. And then there are the living models many of them women and men who are members of the Oblate/Mazenodian Family. As I look at the list of women which is much longer than there is room for on this page I realise that I have named great and wonderful lay women – nothing against any of the religious for they too hold a very definite place in my heart. But this is where God has called me to be and live, and this is my joy and gift to share with the world.
I stop for a moment as the faces appear before me in no special order. I wish to be called a Lay Oblate, but incumbent with that is the full name of Lay Oblate of Mary Immaculate.
I look again at the words from Constitution 10 and I am reminded of Henri Tempier’s response to Eugene de Mazenod at being invited to join in creating a new community. He might not be the greatest preacher, but he was ready to serve in any way he could. That is also my response as a member of this beautiful family.
I join with Mary and sing:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has looked with favor on His humble servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed,
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His Name.