Tag Archives: approbation of Congregation

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PONTIFICALLY APPROVED RELIGIOUS SOCIETY

Fr. Tempier asked, at the beginning of 1826, for dimissorials for the ordination of Brothers Martin and Richaud. Bishop Arbaud replied, in the month of March, that these persons, native of Gap, ought to take the engagement of returning to … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: RECEIVE WITH FRESH ENTHUSIASM THIS RULE OF LIFE THAT HAS BEEN JOYFULLY GIVEN TO US

In consequence, receive with delight this code of our Rules that I joyfully send you. Keep these Rules with the most scrupulous care; they have been judged by the Sovereign Pontiff as very appropriate to bring souls to perfection; may … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: A SPIRIT OF OBLATION TO CHANGE THE WORLD OF THE MOST ABANDONED

Eugene concludes his official narration of the events of our approbation with the exhortation to respond by making their own the words of Saint Paul: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Now, … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: OUR HISTORY AS A VISION OF GOD’S CREATION ON THE MOVE

Thomas Jefferson said that he liked the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. Yet, for Eugene, our history and its human instruments helped us to understand God’s plan for us for the future. We have … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: APPRECIATION OF THE OBLATES BY THE POPES

Going against the advice of his cardinals, Pope Leo made it clear that “ it was his will that our Society, whose value seemed evident to him, receive the guarantee of the solemn approbation.” In the somewhat flowery language of … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE INVITATION TO TRACE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR HISTORY

Then in a poetic way, Eugene invites us to re-read the events from God’s perspective: Normally the same fate would have been in store for us. But divine Providence, which from our cradle has surrounded us with vigilant care, and … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE INVITATION TO BE GENEROUS AS GOD HAS BEEN GENEROUS WITH US

In helping the Oblates to understand and live the grace of the enormous blessing that God has given to the Congregation, Eugene points out that we have the responsibility to respond with a quality of work that measures up to … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE CALL TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE THROUGH A RENEWED APPRECIATION OF OUR RULE

What gratitude, in keeping with such a favour, can we possibly offer to God who is so great and so good? Continuing his reflection on the meaning of the papal approval, Eugene stresses that the only way that we can … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: REJOICE WITH ME FOR IT HAS PLEASED THE LORD TO GRANT US GREAT FAVORS

To accompany the papal letter of approbation, Eugene wrote a letter to the whole Oblate Congregation to spell out the meaning of this for us. Its importance is highlighted by the fact that he wrote it in Latin, signifying that it … Continue reading

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BACK TO ROME!

In recent weeks I have reproduced the previously-published reflections on “Who is Eugene de Mazenod” to coincide with the feast of St. Eugene and with the Oblate vocations novena. In the past year the number of adherents to the site … Continue reading

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