As priests and Brothers, we have complementary responsibilities in evangelizing.
Constitution 7
Initially the Missionaries had been founded as a society of priests to evangelize though preaching and sacraments. Two years later, when we became religious with vows, the element of religious life became an essential component of our vocation. This opened the door to men who wanted Oblate religious life without being priests.
The brothers assured the religious life of the community as they were the constant members who did not go out preaching missions. Initially, they participated in the Oblate mission by caring for the material needs of the house and community, enabling the priests to focus on preaching and sacramental activities. Some of the Oblate priests whose focus was on clerical ministry which the brothers were unable to do, were tempted to regard the brothers as domestic servants. Eugene counteracted these notions because he was convinced of the importance of the Brothers.
At one time didn’t you mention a candidate for the brothers? I passed on the news to the novitiate. I have sent Brother Ferrand to Corsica. That leaves us only Brother Roux. They are a rare breed but vital, and when they come to us it is important to give them a good formation.
Eugene’s letter to Bruno Guigues, 3 May 1835, EO VIII n 514
So far I have only been able to send to Ajaccio Guibert, Telmon and Brother Ferrand, without whom Guibert tells me he wouldn’t have been able to open his seminary, so useful is he to them. Let’s have no more debate about the good brothers after that! So I’m going to admit Brother Roux to his final oblation. It’s up to the rest of you to come up with some more.
Letter to Bruno Guigues, 27 May 1835, EO VIII n 516
Today Frank reminds us of how Eugene’s heart was as big as the world when he suggests that men could become a part of the congregation along with the ordained priests – their calls were slightly different and yet they too were called to be “men set apart”.
On Easter Sunday, in April of 1848, Bishop Eugene de Mazenod lifted the Holy Day Obligation so that people could go and vote for the first parliamentary elections in France. Talk about courage and daring!
Today Eugene speaks through his sons and daughters. That is not an empty statement but rather an invitation to those of us who would dare to ask to be a part of this Oblate Charismatic Family. Sandy Prather HOMI asked the Oblates to “give us a portion of their spirit”. And so we are invited to share in the Mazenodian/Oblate charism amongst all with whom we are called to walk.
“Our mission puts us on constant call to respond to the most urgent needs of the Church through various forms of witness and ministry, but especially through proclaiming the Word of God which finds its fulfilment in the celebration of the sacraments and in service to others.” (Constitution 7)
We find our ways of proclaiming and sharing in the sacraments in loving service to the Church and others. We do this as we stand and accompany others…