Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us

“I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” (John 17:26)

With today’s Gospel (John 17:20-26) we conclude the prayer of Jesus at the last Supper in which he prayed for his disciples who were present and for all his future disciples – us. It is a comforting promise that with Jesus in us we share in the love of the Trinity.

As we continue to cope with the effects of the pandemic and our steps to re-adjust, we have the assurance that we are never alone.

For the Mazenodian Family, tomorrow is the feast of Blessed Joseph Gerard OMI. In his long and difficult missionary life in Southern Africa he was constantly sustained by God’s enduring love for him. The love with which he was loved is the love with which he loved all those he encountered each day. At the end of his long life he testified:

There is a secret to be loved, it is to love. Also, for the Basotho, the Matebele, even the unbelievers, in seeing them we can ask ourselves what to do to convert them?

The answer is on every page of the Gospel: we must love them, love them in spite of everything, love them always. The good God has wanted that we do good to a person in loving that person. The world belongs to the person who loves it most and proves it.” (Blessed Joseph Gerard)

In the past months we have seen and experienced countless heroic examples of this love being expressed throughout the world.

“As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”(John 17:18-19)

Jesus concluded his Last Supper discourse with a beautiful prayer showing the level of his unity with his Father. In today’s Gospel (John 17:11b-19) he prays for all his disciples – for each of us – that we might experience this unity too because we are his presence and his instruments in our world. we are this because we have been consecrated in baptism, sealed in confirmation, nourished in the Word and Eucharist, and healed every time we have failed. We are the presence and the instruments of Jesus our Savior in today’s world

During this week the Mazenodian Family is praying for vocations. A good place to begin is by becoming more aware of how we were transformed at our baptism and its ongoing consequences in our daily lives.

St Eugene calls out to us:

“Christians, know then your dignity, with St. Leo I will call you sharers in the divine nature”

and the words he addressed to the poor of Aix apply equally to each of us whether we are covered in rags or not:

Lift yourselves towards heaven where your minds should be set, conversatio vestra in caelo (Phil. 3:20), let your eyes see for once beneath the rags that cover you, there is within you an immortal soul made in the image of God whom it is destined to possess one day, a soul ransomed at the price of the blood of Jesus Christ, more precious in the eyes of God than all earth’s riches, than all the kingdoms of the earth, a soul of which he is more jealous than of the government of the entire universe.

“Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ” (John 17:3)

For many days we have been meditating on the Last Supper farewell discourse of Jesus to his disciples. Today’s Gospel (John 17:1-11a) has Jesus praying for each of us, and summing up the purpose of his incarnation: to know God so that we know the fullness of life that will never be taken away from us. It is eternal from the moment of our baptism in this earthly life, actualized in our adult encounter with Jesus and will be fulfilled for all eternity.

To “know” in the Scriptures does not refer to intellectual knowledge, but to an intimate relationship of communion. It does not happen automatically, but is a never-ending process of ongoing formation in communion. The spirit of St Eugene is well portrayed in this article from our Oblate Rule, which applies to everyone:

“Formation is a process which aims at the integral growth of a person and lasts a lifetime. It enables us to accept ourselves as we are and develop into the persons we are called to be. Formation involves us in an ever-renewed conversion to the Gospel and a readiness to learn and to change in response to new demands.” (C 47)

The pandemic has challenged us this year to refocus our understanding and expression of our relationship with God and the eternal life that we already have – but it involves a commitment to ever-renewed daily conversion. It is a process where we need community support – which is why the Church exists – and the Mazenodian Family is one of its expressions.

I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world. (John 16:33)

The disciples are about to be scattered and Jesus is preparing them for this in today’s Gospel (John 16:29-33). Ever since the Ascension, the disciples of Jesus have been spread all over the world. The promise of Jesus assures us that we are never left abandoned. In his resurrection he has proved that he has overcome all the powers of the world, and that this is true for us.

This week we prepare to celebrate the feast of an Oblate missionary, Blessed Joseph Gerard, who had been sent to Southern Africa at the age of 24. Despite his dedication and hard work, after eight years he had nothing to show for his labors. Not a single Zulu person was converted to Jesus Christ. In the spirit of the confidence of today’s Gospel, Eugene wrote to him in 1860:

After so many years not a single conversion; it is awful!

You must not lose heart because of it. The time will come when the merciful grace of God will produce a sort of explosion and your African Church will be formed. You ought perhaps to penetrate deeper inland among other tribes in order to bring this about. (4 September 1860)

Joseph Gerard was encouraged and persevered and his efforts bore abundant fruit, which have lasted till today.

Today St Eugene continues to say to us: “Do not lose heart!”

In the spirit of the confidence of today’s Gospel, let us not lose heart – let us have courage because the Risen Savior has overcome the world, and that is true for us.

So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. (John 16:22)

A commentator on today’s Gospel (John 16:20-23) reflects on several possible meanings of this anguish, and writes: “is Jesus speaking of his seeming absence in the prayer of his faithful ones, the ‘dark night of the soul’ when all satisfaction is denied, and God seems simply absent and hidden? Or are they all metaphors and for the difficulties of life?”(Universalis)

In the Mazenodian world, the nine days between the feasts of St Eugene and Blessed Joseph Gerard (21-29 May) are dedicated to praying for vocations to the family of St Eugene: Missionary Oblates, Associates, Cooperators, Partners, youth etc. It is an opportunity to recall all those in the Mazenodian Family who have accompanied us in our moments of darkness, who have helped us to find light and meaning and hope and strength.

St Eugene regarded himself as the father of a missionary family, and he cared for and accompanied people to discover light in the darkness of their lives. Writing to an Oblate suffering from severe depression in 1823:

Courage, my dear friend. Very great saints have been tried like you, but they became saints in spite of these circumstances because they did not cease to obey; courage, once more, my dear friend, we are all down on the floor praying for you so that you will bear this hard trial like a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ. This so amiable Master, our model, did not yield to despair in the garden of Olives; into what an agony he was plunged nevertheless! Hold on to him and fear nothing, drink the cup of his bitterness since he allows to let you share in his passion, but do not doubt that he will soon fill you with his sweetest joys. Until then you must keep your peace and obey…

At the moment of communion, tell him lovingly about all your sorrows: “O Lord I am oppressed be my security!” [Is. 38, 14]. Embrace his feet in spirit, protest that you will never separate yourself from him, that you wish to love him for ever, then take him into your heart and be not troubled about anything.

Today, whatever anguish we experience, let us hear Jesus and St Eugene say:  your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

The Gospel proper to this feast of St Eugene de Mazenod (Luke 4:16-21) narrates the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus: “God has sent me to bring the Good News to the poor.” This is the Gospel text that stood out for Eugene, and which he made part of himself and incarnated and lived for the rest of his life. Today it continues to be the guiding motto of the Mazenodian Family, especially given as a testament among his dying words:

Among yourselves, charity, charity, charity … and outside, zeal for the salvation of souls.

Icon by Oblate Partner, Lauretta Agolli

Today we recall the example of how he lived this text, in 1814, when brought the comfort of the Gospel and the Sacraments to the Austrian prisoners who were dying of the typhus epidemic. He not only ministered and assisted them in their suffering, but he also caught the illness himself and was on the point of death. Countless examples can be remembered during the many years that he was a bishop in Marseilles, his inspired leadership and pastoral care gave help and hope to those who were suffering from the repeated cholera epidemics.

Throughout his life he showed compassion and care for the poor, the sick and all who were regarded as the most abandoned. Today, he continues to inspire and to intercede for us in our time of need.

May we be open to hear the Good News of salvation again today, and to give flesh to it in our dealings with those most in need around us. Let us become the “Good News” of salvation!

Happy feastday to all the members of the Mazenodian Family!

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now” (John 16:12)

Today’s Gospel (John 16:12-15) continues the Last Supper narrative where Jesus is preparing his followers for life after his death and resurrection. He had taught them much, but they could not absorb it all. This is why the Holy Spirit would guide them to remember and understand all that he had been and done and said.

The Holy Spirit has continued fulfilling this role until the present day. Often through calling people and giving them a special ability (charism) to serve God’s people. Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of one of these charismatic figures: Saint Eugene de Mazenod. He was one of the instruments through him the Holy Spirit guided the devastated Church in France back to Jesus as Savior. The Holy Spirit has continued to use the instrumentality of Eugene’s charism for two centuries, through his Mazenodian Family, to continue to teach to people in 67 countries the “I have much more to tell you” of Jesus.

Eugene’s words, written in 1818, continue to be a spurring call for us today:

Thus, it is supremely important, it is urgently imperative, that we lead the multitude of lost sheep back to the fold, that we teach these degenerate Christians who Jesus Christ is…  We must lead people to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and, finally, we must help them to become saints. (The Preface to the CC&RR)

At the Shrine of Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseilles, built by Bishop Eugene de Mazenod, there is this statue of Veronica wiping the face of the suffering Jesus. It is dedicated to all the missionaries who left from this city to cross the sea to bring the consolation of the Gospel. Today let us give thanks for all those who have brought us to a deeper knowledge of God and continue to do so.

But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. (John 16:7)

At the Last Supper the disciples were sad at the announcement of the impending departure of Jesus. In today’s Gospel (John 16:5-11) Jesus tells them that it is important that he leaves them physically, because now the Holy Spirit will dwell in them. He stretches their minds to understand that they cannot cling to a fixed idea of him, but must be open to understanding that God can be present in many ways.

The ever-changing world in which Eugene lived (he lived through 7 radical changes of political rule in 79 years) forced him to adapt, while keeping his vision anchored on the Savior. His spirit is beautifully captured in the Oblate Rule of Life:

We achieve unity in our life only in and through Jesus Christ. Our ministry involves us in a variety of tasks, yet each act in life is an occasion for personal encounter with the Lord, who through us gives himself to others and through others gives himself to us. (C 31)

The events of these months are challenging us to stop clinging to unchanging ideas but to allow the Holy Spirit to open our minds to discover the presence of God in different ways as a different world unfolds around us.

But I have told you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told you. (John 16:4)

Let us remember that the words of today’s Gospel (John 15:26 – 16:4) were spoken at the Last Supper, where Jesus was preparing his disciples for his death and resurrection. From now on they will to have to learn to recognize his presence in a different way. The Holy Spirit will continue the work of Jesus.

His disciples will be criticized for their values, judged for their behavior and badly-treated for their beliefs (as we continue to experience today), but the Holy Spirit will keep them strong by reminding them of all that Jesus means and teaches.

St Eugene lived this reality in many situations as a Christian, a priest, a missionary religious and as a bishop. Never once did he despair or give up – he always relied on the strength of the Holy Spirit. Through prayer and his daily Gospel study and meditation, he “remembered” all that Jesus was, and was guided and loved by him.

On retreat in 1811 he prayed:

that the Holy Spirit… may come to rest on me in all its fullness, filling everything within me with the love of Jesus Christ my Saviour, in such a way that I live and breathe no longer but in him, consume myself in his love, serving him and spreading the news of how lovable he is. 

We have been baptized and are in relationship with Jesus and his Father, and we have received the Holy Spirit. Let us remember all this throughout the day, and may it be our strength to face and cope with what is happening in the world and around us today.

“In the prolonged silent prayer we make each day, we let ourselves be molded by the Lord, and find in him the inspiration of our conduct”  (OMI Rule of Life, 33).

Icon by Oblate Partner, Lauretta Agolli

The practice of Oraison was an important part of St. Eugene’s daily prayer during which he entered into communion with the members of his missionary family. While they were all in France it was easy for them to gather in prayer at approximately the same time. When Oblate missionaries started to be sent to different continents it was no longer possible to pray at the same time, yet each day there was a time when they stopped and prayed in union with one another – even though not at the same time.

This is a practice that Eugene wanted the members of his religious family to maintain. This is why you are invited to take part in this practice of Oraison on Sunday, May 17, 2020, as we commemorate the anniversary of St. Eugene de Mazenod’s death on May 21, 1861.

Some suggested texts to pray with:

Hebrews 13: 7-8

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Excerpt from: Marcello Zago, O.M.I., Renewing Ourselves in the Charism of Eugene de Mazenod (January 25th, 1995).

Eugene de Mazenod still remains a living person with whom we have a personal relationship. Since he lived between 1782 and 1861 a life rich in events and responsibilities, he owes his importance not simply to his achievements and intuitions, to the Institute he founded and the movement he created in the Church. To this day he continues to relate to us and we to him through the communion of saints. So, remembering him is not enough. We must develop a personal rapport, always more intimate, with him. That is the reason why I invite you together to focus your attention on the Founder, considering him as

-a saint to imitate,

-a founder to follow,

-a teacher to heed

-a father to love,

-an intercessor to invoke.

Let us pause to reflect on how we recognize these qualities in St. Eugene today. The complete article by Father Marcello Zago (OMI Superior General 1986-1998) is worth reading: https://www.omiworld.org/wp-content/uploads/RENEWING-OURSELVES-IN-THE-CHARISM-OF-EUGENE-DE-MAZENOD.pdf

These are the words that St Eugene addressed to his family on his deathbed. They apply to the whole Mazenodian Family today.

Bishop, one of us asked him, give us some words to pass on to all our brothers. It will make them very happy!

Be sure to tell them that I die happy… that I die happy that God was so good as to choose me to found the Congregation of the Oblates in the Church.

Bishop, would you reveal to us the last wish in your heart.

Practice among yourselves charity … charity…. charity… and outside, zeal for the salvation of souls.

-Circular letter of Father Fabre, 1861 after the death of the Founder.