OUR LOVE FOR THE CHURCH – AWE AT THE COMMUNION THAT EXISTS AMONG CHILDREN OF ONE SAME FATHER (C6)

Posted on July 9, 2025 by franksantucci

“Our love for the Church inspires us…” (Constitution 6)

As part of his search for the meaning of his life, his gradual journey of conversion, the 22 year-old Eugene read and studied and made notes:

One of the things that strikes me most in religion is “catholicity”, that communion that exists among children of one same Father who receives on high the intentions they form at the same time in lands so distant and who truly wills to give them in return a merit shared in common.

The idea that I am a member of that great family of which God himself is Head… seems to instantly make my soul surge, with an intensity that is difficult to express.

Jottings in Eugene’s notebook, May 1804, EO XIV, n 7

Today, our Oblate Charismatic Family is present in over 60 countries. What an awe-inspiring thought that we are an expression of the communion that exists because we are all children if the same God as Church.

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to OUR LOVE FOR THE CHURCH – AWE AT THE COMMUNION THAT EXISTS AMONG CHILDREN OF ONE SAME FATHER (C6)

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associates says:
    July 9, 2025 at 14:08

    The word “synodality” comes to mind – that word which gives expression to our communities and how we live in love. I think of the words from Isaiah 54:2: “Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.” This takes great courage and daring as we stand with each other. Synodality is not just for a few elite, but for all, with all.

    These Constitutions and Rules that make up our beautiful Rule of Life which began with and in and through the Spirit’s gift to Eugene are notes, that come together as the road maps of our hearts… which become one with each other in the heart the Church; on the right and on our left, in back of us and in front, from beneath and over us…
    “Our love for the Church inspires us to fulfill our mission in communion with the pastors whom the lord has given to the people; we accept loyally, with an enlighten faith, the guidance and teachings of the successors of Peter and the Apostles.”
    I live in a Province that is diminishing very quickly and realistically speaking we know that we are called in new and different ways and will be asked to pick up our crosses and become and grow as missionaries to all who we meet. We have been formed and our formation accompanies us as we dare in an ever-changing world. How will we respond to that which is now foundational within us?

    How will we respond? We have this God and Church inspired Rule of Life, which will become a road map for each of us. Do we dare to say “Yes” to the invitation to go out in our parishes and in our church to become living expressions of our missions, the Church’s mission, the missio Dei?

    We risk becoming more and more like the first Oblates sent to this new world…

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *