A LISTENING HEART TO COME TO A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF THE SAVIOUR WHOM WE LOVE AND WISH TO REVEAL TO THE WORLD  (C7)

Posted on August 28, 2025 by franksantucci

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…

Constitution 7

In his Diocesan Pastoral Letter on the missions, Bishop Eugene wrote in 1844:

Handed on to his Apostles by Jesus, this Word has lost none of its power in the course of the ages. We have experienced the fact that because it issued from the mouth of him who is himself eternal life, it is always spirit and life.

So convinced was Eugene of the importance of Scripture in his life that he spent time every single day studying the scriptures. For him, the Lectio Divina was the opportunity to listen to the Word of God as a personal message. He included this practice in his daily program. Scripture scholars who have studied the writings of Saint Eugene point out how steeped he was in Scripture. He often quoted directly in his letters and in his diary, and, very often, he paraphrased the texts as part of his communication.

In the first Rule he wrote that “every member of the Institute is charged to study Sacred Scripture daily.” Today in our Rule, we read:

The Word of God nourishes our spiritual life and apostolate. We will not only study it diligently but also develop a listening heart, so that we may come to a deeper knowledge of the Saviour whom we love and wish to reveal to the world. This immersion in God’s Word will enable us to understand better the events of history in the light of faith (Constitution 33)

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2 Responses to A LISTENING HEART TO COME TO A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF THE SAVIOUR WHOM WE LOVE AND WISH TO REVEAL TO THE WORLD  (C7)

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    August 28, 2025 at 16:00

    My first thoughts upon reading this morning’s inspiration was to think that perhaps it was easier for Eugene since he was with his Oblate brothers, but that was simply an excuse for why I do not practice Scripture Study – as if I did not want to listen to the Spirit within me (the Third Person of the Trinity).

    Not wanting to give up on God, the Church, St. Eugene or any of my brothers and sisters in this Oblate Family I continued by telling myself that even though I am so imperfect as to be asked to resign from my role in a particular ministry I will not give up on any, including myself. I think for a moment of where all of us might be if Eugene de Mazenod had given up on some of the darkest nights in his life.

    Rather than sitting here dwelling on the many ways that I do not pray in a nice orderly manner I decide to dwell on the many things that God has given to me, how God has “shown” me (ref: Julian of Norwich, The Showings) and how all who come here as small lights to my feet, my feet on the path that God has called me to walk with all of you. The many small lights bring a large light to each of us.

    I opened my small missal for today’s readings and was quite joyous to be greeted by Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians (3.7-13) “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? […] Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.” This is the gift that the Spirit brings this morning, the joy that we receive in having the scales removed from the eyes of our hearts and witnessing God within each other, all to whom we are sent and meet

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  2. Cecelia Barragan says:
    August 30, 2025 at 15:46

    The precious heart of Jesus settles into our own heart with love and compassion not only for ourselves but for all that he has created.
    Oh, dearest St. Eugene….How little did you know what that calling would touch the world. You have revealed the real and true love of the one who cares not only for me but all of humanity. Giving you thanks for sharing and your call to follow. Amen

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