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- FOR THE REST, I DO MY BEST TO LEAVE IT TO GOD
- GOD ALONE KNOWS HOW TO REWARD WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR HIM. SO, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO PLEASE HIM
- IT IS A CONSOLATION FOR ME TO BREATHE THE SAME AIR, TO OFFER THE HOLY SACRIFICE ON THE SAME ALTARS, TO BE ABLE TO PRAY AT HIS TOMB
- THERE IS NOT A CORNER OF ROME WHICH IS NOT A MONUMENT OF FAITH OR PIETY
- THE ROMAN MARTYRS ARE STILL THE OBJECT OF VENERATION OF PEOPLES
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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on FAITH-FOCUSED INVESTMENT GROUPS: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on VIVAT: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WE SHOW A VERY HUMAN FACE OF JESUS TO THE WORLD, ONE FULL OF COMPASSION AND SOLIDARITY (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVANGELIZATION (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WALKING THE LINE BETWEEN PROPHETIC VISION AND SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE (CONSTITUTION 9)
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“A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” 1857
For years I have struggled greatly with the Dogma of the “Immaculate Conception”. Out of a particular sense of fear I have managed to put aside my questions and doubts lest they take over me and rob me all my belief…
This morning I have sat in the misery of those doubts as I thought of Mary saying yes to God and I wanting to echo her words, to somehow join in with the celebration of her “Immaculate Conception”.
I experienced an instance, a sense of beautiful consolation and a quiet yet strong voice telling me it will be okay, a voice that I have never heard before but which I knew instantly as her voice, as she seemed to say that she understands and she touched me somehow. I felt held for a moment and my eyes filled with tears that carried my distress and fears. I continue to remind myself to breathe again, in and out.
Eugene’s great devotion to Our Lady, in particular to her Immaculate Conception which he writes of here in August of 1854, four months before Pope Pius IX defined it as dogma on December 8th of that year. I feel like Eugene is inviting me, inviting us to look at how we carry Mary in our hearts and share her with those we love and meet – especially those who are struggling. For a moment I think of her and the people of Ukraine and how she is most certainly with all of them in the war. Mother of Ukraine.
I cannot conjure up that voice again, yet I am sure that since I have heard it, I will never be able to forget it. I no longer feel that fear that would arise from my doubts and questionings. There is within me a quiet surety. Most surely a gift.
Happy Feast Day and many blessings to all on this most special day for our family.