LET US EVER KEEP THESE RULES BEFORE OUR EYES, STILL MORE IN OUR HEARTS

Posted on May 22, 2026 by franksantucci

We have reached the end of our journey with St Eugene through the first 10 Constitutions of what the members of our Oblate Charismatic Family regard as our Book of Life. These articles are a summary of the charism that inspires each of us to live according to our various states of life. St Eugene’s advice to us:

So let us hold this precious Rule in high esteem, have it always before our eyes, and even more in the heart, let us continually nourish our souls with the principles it contains, let us do nothing, say nothing, think nothing that is not in conformity with its spirit. It is only in this way that we shall be what God wants us to be and make ourselves worthy of our sublime vocation.

Annual Retreat notes, October 1831, EO 15, n.163.

Constitutions 1-10 describe our vision and ideals – and as we now begin to explore Constitution 11 onwards we will see how we can put these ideals into practice.

The Mazenodian charism is contained in the Constitutions and Rules, in the Directories of the lay associates and the handbooks of various groups of our Oblate Family: we are invited to reflect on how they may be guides for us to live the Gospel

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One Response to LET US EVER KEEP THESE RULES BEFORE OUR EYES, STILL MORE IN OUR HEARTS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    May 22, 2026 at 15:04

    One of the things that I needed to relearn after my brain injury and along with how to walk, move, speak was how I process some things. The Speech Pathologist at the hospital helped me to learn what was the base aim of what I wanted to do and then look at the steps necessary to succeed whatever I wanted to do.

    This is how I think of the first 10 Constitutions and Rules which portray our shared Mission with the Oblate congregation. As a woman in the Church I continue to learn how to let go of some of some ways of being and to discern where God would have me be and what the “doing” will arise from that being.

    I am once again at that place in my new life. I am learning in a new way to be part of a greater community because I now live in a Retirement Community of more than a hundred and fifty people who I am getting to know and love. Some have been sent here to live because of dementia and they don’t want to be here; others have come because they can no longer live alone and for some it is financial.

    I had to make a decision to say yes to the many changes that are necessary for all of us to do well. I am now looking forward to how my being here can make a difference to and with others. This happens daily. I find myself looking at St. Eugene as he coped with the myriad of challenges ahead of him so that I might remain not only faithful, but share myself in the many ways that will lead to a healthier community.

    Reply

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