Eugene’s pilgrimage of relationship with Jesus is mirrored in our present Rule:
Novitiate formation ends with a free and faith-filled commitment in the Oblate Congregation. The novice, having experienced the Father’s love in Jesus, dedicates his life to making that love visible. He entrusts his fidelity to the one whose cross he shares, whose promises are his hope. Constitution 59)
As members of the Oblate Charismatic Family, we can make these words our own: “having experienced the Father’s love in Jesus, each of us is impelled to making that love visible. We entrust our fidelity to the one whose cross we share, whose promises are our hope.”
Page-by-page the Oblate Rule guides us on our pilgrim way of love and hope.
I find myself reflecting on Jesus and what he did. He said yes to love and within that love to the cross and certain death. I can only imagine what the Beloved might have been saying to himself as he began the climb to Calvary and yet he never recanted or tried to turn back.
For those of us who are members of the Oblate Charismatic Family, we too are invited to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and the footsteps of St. Eugene. This small OMI Rule of Life becomes a small compass that shows and directs our hearts and being into where and who we are called to be.
As pilgrims we walk alone and that is only possible when we walk with others. It is up to each of us to decide if we will walk bent over from the burdens we carry, or if we will dare to stand straight and forge ahead.
Praise be Jesus and Mary Immaculate.