SHRINES OF MARY AS SPECIAL PLACES OF APOSTOLIC MISSION (C 10)

She received Christ in order to share him with all the world, whose hope he is. (Constitution 10)

For Eugene, Marian shrines were special places of mission for the Oblates. Together with our patroness, the Oblates were able to imitate her in making the Savior present in the lives of those they ministered to.

On our arrival at Notre-Dame de l’Osier to make a visitation of the new establishment that divine Providence has entrusted to our Congregation, our first concern was to thank the Lord for the remarkable favour he was pleased to bestow on us in calling us to this shrine to restore the devotion to the Most Holy Virgin, and to draw from the bosom of this good Mother the graces needed by the members of our Institute to accomplish worthily the apostolic ministry they are to do in these regions.

Act of Visitation of the house of N.D.de L’Osier, July 16, 1835

He expresses this sentiment even more clearly in praising the mission of our first Marian sanctuary, Notre Dame du Laus. The same sentiment remains true of all our Marian shrines today is many countries.

Surely this is an enchanting spectacle! When we consider that the Lord in this single place presents our Congregation with the means powerfully to achieve all the ends of its Institute — for also from here our missionaries go forth to evangelize all the people of the environs and even farther afield, and this family centre is definitely one of the most famous shrines of our holy Mother and Patron – we have ample reason to be swept away by consoling happiness, or, better still, ample reason to humble ourselves before God in our helplessness fully to appreciate such a gift, such evident protection. 

Act of Visitation of the house of N.D. du Laus, October 18, 1835