Why have a demanding program of personal and spiritual growth? The answer is provided in a threefold goal, which occurs hundreds of times in Eugene\u2019s writings because he insists that it must be kept in mind constantly: \u201cthe glory of God, the building of the Church, the salvation of souls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhat must we, in turn, do to succeed in winning back for Jesus Christ so many souls who have cast off his yoke? We must\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n
maintain in view exclusively the glory of God, the building of the Church, the salvation of souls<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Then he gave the list of virtues necessary in order to achieve this (see the previous entry), after which he hammers again:<\/p>\n
\nbe ready to sacrifice our goods, our talents, our rest, our persons and our lives for the love of Jesus Christ, the service of the Church and the sanctification of our neighbor.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
1818 Rule, Part One, Chapter One, \u00a73. Nota Bene. Missions, 78 (1951) p. 16<\/em><\/p>\n
He started the list with the triad, and he repeats it again at the end to stress its importance. It is like the cover of a book that contains the means to oblation in every one of its pages: \u201cfor the love of Jesus Christ, the service of the Church and the sanctification of our neighbor.\u201d We find this expression repeatedly in all Eugene\u2019s writings either with three goals: \u201cthe glory of God, the good of the Church and the salvation of souls\u201d or as a pair: \u201cfor the glory of God and the salvation of souls.\u201d<\/p>\n
The golden thread of Eugene\u2019s life was to be \u201call for God\u201d and it is this same concept that is expressed by living for the \u201cglory of God.\u201d It is summed up in the word OBLATION It is the high point of \u201cimitating the virtues\u201d of Jesus Christ, because the glory of God was the major desire of Jesus as Eugene used to point out:<\/p>\n
\nThe entire life of the Savior was totally dedicated to the glory of his Father\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Since I have not imitated my model in his innocence, will I be denied the opportunity to imitate him in his devotion to the glory of his Father and the salvation of men?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Spiritual conference, 19 March 1809, O.W. XIV n.48<\/em><\/p>\n
The reason for our oblation expressed in community, spirituality and mission, is found in the \u201clitmus-test\u201d that Eugene repeatedly used for discernment and decision making until his death: “Is\u00a0it for the glory of God, for the good of His Body, the Church, and for the salvation of others?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOur ideal is an absolute and enthusiastic commitment, a total availability to God and to souls for God, drawn from contemplation and in interior union with God\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Leo Desch\u00e2telets OMI, former Superior General<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Why have a demanding program of personal and spiritual growth? The answer is provided in a threefold goal, which occurs hundreds of times in Eugene\u2019s writings because he insists that it must be kept in mind constantly: \u201cthe glory of … Continue reading