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“A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” 1857
This morning I think of my first meeting with Jesus – when I first heard Jesus say my name: “Eleanor, I love you. I have called you by name and you are mine.” I did not know until many years later those words were written by the prophet Isaiah. When asked about my experience by a cousin I replied that God was calling me to love in a way that I did not know and did not yet have the words to explain or express. About a year later I ended up as a visitor at Madonna House and Catherine Doherty, the foundress, asked me why I was there. I told her that I wanted to learn how to pray, with my whole being. Those were the words given to me and I had no idea of what that might look like, only that I wanted it with all my heart.
It was in meeting the Oblates and St. Eugene de Mazenod that I began to become fully alive and vibrant (that’s how I think of it). It was later that I heard the word Oraison and was invited to take part in it. Sandy Prather explained it was Eugene de Mazenod’s favourite way of praying, and so we would sit with him and enter into the presence of Jesus. So began my learning about simply ‘being’.
This coming Sunday I will join with members of the Oblate/Mazenodian family, from different parts of the world and be with them in the practice of Oraison, as we all meet within the “heart of our divine Saviour”, Jesus. I will begin by reflecting on the words shared by Lauretta in the US; how she will carry the prayer in her heart, allowing it to become a part of her, taking root and being ceaselessly, effortlessly repeated with every heartbeat. And I will allow Steffi from Germany to inspire me as she shares how “God showed her what she can do and what has been hiding in her and that amazes her again and again.” And that is what I have been doing since waking and entering into this place of living prayer.
To live in the heart of Jesus with all those we meet here – no longer confined to just one Sunday a month, but becomes a living part of us, connecting all of our hearts.
Dear Eleanor,
Although I joined Oblate in 2009 in an active role, I only recently became aware of this site. I started reading your posts and find them very enriching. I hope you can let me know how I can connect to the Sunday mass, you referred to in your post, so that I could attend, God willing.
I have been inspired with your blogs!
God bless!
Jasmine
Dear Jasmine – I am heartened that you find my reflections enriching and thank you. I was not referring to a Mass specifically, but how many of us in the Mazenodian Family will come together in the practice of Oraison, which is not confined to a place but rather to the practice as shared with us by St. Eugene de Mazenod – a coming together in the heart of Jesus in silent prayer. We meet in prayer. Here is the link to the Mazenodian Family Oraison that we pray on the 3rd Sunday of every month, in the US and Canada, and as well there is a shared reflection from the Central European Province. Please ask Frank Santucci to connect us by email so I share more information about this practice.
Dear Eleanor,
I am so glad to hear back from you. I appreciate your response very much!
As for Fr. Frank, I would leave it up to him if he decide to connect us through his blog. I wanted to reach you directly since he is busy and don’t want to bother him.
Again, I can’t thank you enough.
As a background, I joined Oblate in 2009, I am a donor and a partner of Oblate. I am very involved with all the Oblate’s construction projects in United States.
My email address is;
jazima@jasmineengineering.com
My phone no: 210-669-1616.