The call and the presence of the Lord among us today bind us together in charity and obedience to create anew in our own lives the Apostles’ unity with him and their common mission in his Spirit. (Constitution 3)
This is the model for our Oblate apostolic communities, and the ideal of our Oblate Family. Community exists to help us to focus together on the presence of the Savior who invites us to stay with him, and to share this experience with others.
Eugene’s mandate continues today in our Oblate Family’s wonderful mission of making Jesus Christ known and extending his kingdom as we walk in the footsteps of the Apostles
By growing in unity of heart and mind, we bear witness before the world that Jesus lives in our midst and unites us in order to send us out to proclaim God’s reign. (Constitutions and Rules, C37)
Cardinal Martini’s words sum it all up: “Essentially, what are the disciples? They are Jesus himself who continues his actions. They are not the repeaters of what they have heard, but they are the actions of Jesus that increase and continue.”