Eugene’s letter to the young Oblates who had just made their lifetime oblation can apply to all of us, members of the Mazenodian Family, as we celebrate our patronal feast.
My dear sons, you are quite right to congratulate yourselves for the happiness you have experienced in consecrating yourselves to God in the Congregation which has Mary Immaculate as its Mother. This is a grace of predilection, a true guarantee of your predestination to eternal bliss. The saintly death of all those whom the Lord has harvested from our midst has proved this to date. But before going to Heaven, what good things you are called to do here on earth!
“Mary, Heart of Oblate Studies” by Lauretta Agolli
And so with great pleasure to rejoice at your vocation, convinced as I am of your constant fidelity to respond to this special grace of God’s mercy in your regard. My dear children, I leave you to consider how happy I am to be able to count you among the number of those whom the Lord has given me as sons in a family which is soldiering in the Church under the banner of Mary. In advance I calculate, so to speak, all the good that you will be able to do in the course of your life.
You will be enriched not only by these merits of your own, but, because of the solidarity within our family, you will be enriched by all that is meritorious accomplished in the works of your brothers in all parts of the world.
Goodbye, my dear sons, I bless you from the abundance of my father’s heart.
+ C. J. Eugene, Bishop of Marseilles, sup. gen.
REFLECTION
Through our response to live by the charism given to us through St Eugene, we become members of a world-wide family under the patronage of Mary Immaculate. Because of this solidarity each of us is enriched by all the other members of the family in all parts of the world.
A Blessed and Happy Feastday to all – with gratitude for our calling.
This morning’s reflection fills me with joy and I read it a second time as I sit in the light that is shed upon us by both Mary and St. Eugene. I rejoice with each of you, be you here in this space at this time or connected in love.
We do not turn ourselves over to God through our “Maman” and share in Eugene’s Charism for the sole purpose of getting to heaven, but rather like Peter we are unable to turn away from God and the life God has set out before us; God having already kissed us into being before we entered the womb. We were/are predisposed to an ever-deepening love of each other and those we meet as we walk together.
I find myself silently singing Salve Regina (which is not normally a part of my morning prayer) with each one of you.
A very joyous and Blessed Feast Day to all of you and those you will meet during the day today.