THE EVANGELICAL LIGHT WHICH SPRINGS FROM THE WORD OF THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS

Posted on May 3, 2023 by franksantucci

Bishop de Mazenod’s exploration of the charitable works in his diocese now focuses on the women religious. Reflecting the view of two centuries ago, he praises the amazing achievements of the “timid sex”:

How, in fact, shall we speak of these vocations that the world would never have thought possible, and which are accomplished at the price of the most sublime sacrifices by the timid sex who have become the helpers of the Catholic priesthood?

France is covered with invaluable institutions, which are different monuments of the inspirations of the faith in the Christian Virgin.

These giants of Christian charity do not confine themselves to France.

Nevertheless, France is not enough for zeal and generosity; this courageous virgin goes out, something unheard of, to carry her works of charity across the seas to the most distant beaches. The indigenous and the barbarian, the heretic and the infidel receive her care, and their souls, divided between gratitude and admiration, are opened to the evangelical light which springs from the word of the sacred ministers.

Pastoral letter of Bishop de Mazenod to the Diocese of Marseilles for Lent 1847

REFLECTION

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

Mother Teresa

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to THE EVANGELICAL LIGHT WHICH SPRINGS FROM THE WORD OF THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    May 3, 2023 at 13:12

    The wording! Some days are harder to get past the words than others. I want to spit some of Eugene’s words back at him – which I suppose says more about me than it does him…

    I find it difficult to get past the wording and yet I know that I must if I want to be able to see more than just darkness. Eugene was a man of his times…

    Instead, I say yes to the love, the courage and strength of the love of those missionary women and not just religious but also the women who gave birth and raised children with a love that was/is fierce – many of them following their husbands to missionary lands and experiencing the gifts of those they ministered to.

    To love as Mother Teresa speaks of it, as Jesus did on the cross, until it hurts and there seems to be nothing left… until all that is left is love.

    That it seems to me is what each of us is called to, no matter our gender, race, or any other way of diversity.

    Oh… a thought breaks through the fog of my mind…

    “…called to share in the charism according to their state of life, and to live it in ways that vary according to milieu and cultures.” (R 37a)

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *