Already a few days into the mission in Barjols, we find the Missionaries in full swing. They were successfully reaching out to persons who had been away from religious practices for decades:<\/p>\n
\nHere we are in the confessional, without stirring, from morning until evening.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
The men came flocking at the first announcement and God knows they needed to do so! What we have here, for them and the women alike, are (lapses) of thirty, forty and fifty years. People are astonished at the success of the mission.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 14-15 November 1818, O.W. VI n.34<\/em><\/p>\n
The Missionaries\u00a0were recognized as being\u00a0the instruments through which people were reconciled with God and with one another.<\/p>\n
\nPeople are publicly and spontaneously reconciled at the foot of the cross. It is marvelous. Pray for us and for them. Oh! How right Saint Vincent de Paul was when he said that only the devil could be opposed to missions.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Fortun\u00e9 de Mazenod, 22 November 1818, O.W. XIII n.20<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0If you knew all that the good God is doing here through our ministry,<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Jean Baptiste Honorat, November 1818, O.W. VI n.35<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0In keeping with this tradition, our Oblate Rule of Life today tells us:<\/p>\n
\nIn proclaiming the Word, it is our tradition to be simple and direct and to speak a language adapted to and easily understood by our hearers. In all our ministry, but especially in that of reconciliation, we will reflect the understanding, patience and compassion of the Saviour.<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
CC&RR, Rule 7 g<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.<\/em>‘ Luke 15:6<\/p>\n
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found. <\/em>\u00a0Luke 15:32<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Already a few days into the mission in Barjols, we find the Missionaries in full swing. They were successfully reaching out to persons who had been away from religious practices for decades: Here we are in the confessional, without stirring, … Continue reading