AT HIS LAST BREATH, MARY ACCOMPANIED EUGENE TO THE FRUIT OF HER WOMB
“They will always regard her as mother” Eugene had written when we officially became Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate after our papal approbation in 1826. He asked us to have a “tender and filial devotion.” Throughout his whole life he was accompanied by Mary – because of this Rule that he quotes in his retreat notes:
Devotion to Mary must also characterize us: At least once a day they will pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and a visit to the Blessed Virgin, towards whom all the missionaries will cultivate a special devotion, and to whom they will always look up as to their Mother
They will recite the rosary every day, and will leave nothing undone to make the faithful most fervently and trustfully devout to this Immaculate Virgin and the most holy Mother of God.
Retreat notes, October 1831, EO XV n. 163
Eugene died during the praying of the Salve Regina, at these words: “Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus, O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!”
Father Fabre describes the scene:
We recited the entire Salve Regina, which our well-loved Father understood and followed fully. At the words: Nobis post hoc exilium ostende, he opened his eyes slightly; at each invocations: O clémens, o Pia, he made a slight movement; at the third: O Dulcis Virgo Maria, he breathed his last. His beautiful soul was in the presence of God. (Circular Letter to the Congregation 26 May 1861)
REFLECTION
Because of his life-long closeness to Mary, she did indeed accompany him to the fruit of her womb: Jesus. May we learn to look on her as mother and as our faithful faith-companion on our Christian journey to be shown the fruit of her womb at its fulfilment in our own death.
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This morning as we come together in this place we might find ourselves reflecting on Mary’s accompaniment of Eugene as he entered into the fullness of God’s presence. We might be faced with many distractions of how this could be, but if we continue with open hearts we might find ourselves recalling a time(s) how Mary was there to accompany a loved one as they passed through death into new life. There were no doubts – simply what our hearts recognized.
We might ponder the question of how she became so central to our heart’s being; without quite realizing the “how” of it, Mary was right there. She was never a distraction from God, but rather led and leads us into the total presence of God.
Mary Immaculate does not lead us away from God so that we see only her, but rather accompanies each of us on our great journeys home to our God. We reflect together on Eugene’s death, his final moments here on earth as he allowed his death to become a gift of love to all of his daughters and sons; those who have gone before us and those who will come after us.
We are invited to simply “Be”, to ponder and let ourselves recognize the immensity and ineffability of our God. Mary accompanies us on our journey back to the Garden to hear God call our names.