MISSIONARY ZEAL GROWS OUT OF LOVE

Posted on February 20, 2023 by franksantucci

Letter from Brother Blanchet. He also requests of me to go to the foreign missions.

Diary of Eugene de Mazenod, 13 January 1847, EO XXI

Twenty-nine-year-old, Georges Blanchet was one of the first Oblate Brothers to be sent to the United States in 1847. Twenty five years later, at the insistence of the local Bishop, he was ordained to the priesthood in British Columbia. He died, aged 88, and a river and a lake in British Columbia were named after him.

REFLECTION

“Missionary zeal does not grow out of intellectual beliefs, nor out of theological arguments, but out of love.”   (Roland Allen)

God of Heaven and Earth,

You have fed me your word

And sent me forth to love and serve.

A missionary, you have called me to be. Even in my smallness and sin

You chose me to sing the song of your love, The hymn of your mercy,

The anthem of your justice.

Catholic Relief Services

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One Response to MISSIONARY ZEAL GROWS OUT OF LOVE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    February 20, 2023 at 13:27

    No matter our call, woundedness, doubts and struggles, God seems to delight in choosing to walk through them with us. “You have fed me your word and send me forth to love and serve.”

    And yes, “even in my smallness and sin You chose me to sing the song of your love, the hymn of your mercy, the anthem of your justice.” Yes Lord, in the very ordinary of my life it is you who has given me so much, you who have led me into being, you who have seen to my every need. Oh how my heart sings!

    “His Spirit inspires all Christians to constancy in their love, […] We will help each other find joy and fulfillment in our community life and in our apostolate…” (C29)
    Such is the gift of love that is given to us, that flows within us, that is shared with the world – making space for more…

    Reply

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