OUR CONSTITUTIONS AND RULES AS AN AWE-INSPIRING MEANS OF SALVATION.

Posted on July 7, 2025 by franksantucci

After many weeks of traveling for charism animation activities, and a trans-Atlantic move of from San Antonio to Rome (including the Kusenberger Chair of Oblate Studies), St Eugene is ready to speak to us again.

In the chapel of the General House in Rome we are privileged to have the Statue of the Immaculate Conception, lovingly referred to as the “Oblate Madonna.” It was while praying in front of this statue that Eugene experienced a mystical realization. He received the assurance that this tiny religious congregation was blessed by God and that, despite all the tribulations it was experiencing, it contained the seed of a great tree that would flourish.  Looking at the nascent Oblate Congregation he exclaimed:

I found it worthy,
everything pleased me about it,
I appreciated its rules, its statutes;
its ministry seemed awe-inspiring to me, as it is indeed.
As I looked at the Society I found in it a sure, even infallible, means of salvation.

Letter to Henri Tempier, 15 August 1822, EO VI n 86

In view of the 200th anniversary of our official recognition by the Church and the approval of our Oblate Rule, I have been reflecting on the articles of the Constitutions and Rules seen through the eyes of Saint Eugene. Starting at https://www.eugenedemazenod.net/?p=5991, we have looked at the first five Constitutions already and, because of their importance in understanding our charism, I invite you to relook at them and, with Eugene, to find in them an awe-inspiring means of salvation.

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One Response to OUR CONSTITUTIONS AND RULES AS AN AWE-INSPIRING MEANS OF SALVATION.

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    July 7, 2025 at 13:50

    Welcome back Eugene and Frank! You were missed but not absent- I dare say for all of us, whether we be we religious, Honorary Oblates or lay people. Similar to the early Oblates who came to our lands, we respond to God’s call. “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown, Will you let my name be known, Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?” It is not the state of our lives which determine how we will respond; rather our hearts.

    “I found it worthy, everything pleased me about it, I appreciated it’s rules, its statutes…” If this is truly foundational within our hearts and expressed through the Constitutions and Rules which is a living expression, (as in incarnation) we continue to meet in our hearts with each other. I find Eugene speaking to us through this precious Rule of Life. Our hearts and spirits, that join within this Charismatic Family and together we sing and dance in the Spirit.

    I am reminded of Peter’s response (John 6. 67-68) when the twelve were asked if they too wanted to abandon Jesus. It was Peter who responded: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.”

    Today my heart share’s the gifts I have been give with all of the world, which suffers greatly. It can be seen as my spirit sings and dances to a tune of gratitude and joy.

    Reply

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