ST EUGENE’S FILIAL DEVOTION TO MARY AS HIS MOTHER, AND OURS

Academic demands and Congregational commitments since the passing of Fr David Muñoz have multiplied and I am finding it difficult to keep up with new entries of St Eugene Speaks. To give me some catch-up time of a few weeks, and instead of taking a break, I would like to republish some previous entries on Mary. We prepare for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the season of Advent is the season of Mary, so I hope that these reflections will be beneficial for you on your spiritual journey.

Saint Eugene’s life journey was always accompanied by Mary, whom he loved as mother. Looking back on his life he wrote in his will:

To this end, I invoke the intercession of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, daring to remind her in all humility, but with consolation, of the filial devotion of my whole life, and of the desire I have always had to make her known and loved, and to spread her devotion everywhere through the ministry of those whom the Church has given to me as children, who have had the same desire as myself…

Eugene de Mazenod’s will, 1 August 1854, E.O. XV n. 191

REFLECTION

Pope Francis said this to the Mazenodian Family at the recent General Chapter:

“Mary the pilgrim, Mary journeying, Mary who arose in haste to go and serve. After saying her “yes” to God through the archangel Gabriel, she departed in haste to go to her cousin Elizabeth, to share the gift and to place herself at her service. In this too, may Mary be an example to you, for your life and for your mission”