I repeat, it is the norm that the superior carry the cross during the penitential procession, after he has given a short exhortation from the pulpit to prepare the people for this public act of reparation. <\/strong><\/p>\n This is no entertainment, but an act very much in conformity with the spirit of the Church and perfectly suited to the occasion.<\/strong> The superior has just preached to a people that has gone astray. He gives them the hope of pardon.<\/strong><\/p>\n Reparation, however, is necessary. He takes on himself the sins of the people, in imitation of Jesus Christ whom he represents in their midst, \u2026 \u00a0he offers himself to God as a victim. <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Letter to Bruno Guigues, 5 November 1877, EO IX n 652<\/em><\/p>\n The Oblate invited the people to load their sins on him and to see him carrying them away – reenacting the message of Jesus.<\/p>\n (See also the entry\u00a0https:\/\/www.eugenedemazenod.net\/?p=492<\/a>\u00a0and the following few entries)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the powerful ceremonies of each mission was the penitential procession carried out very dramatically in order to convey an unforgettable life-changing message: \u201cby his wounds you have been healed.\u201d I repeat, it is the norm that the superior … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.eugenedemazenod.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/amping.jpg\")
<\/a>I Peter 2: 24-25:\u201cHe himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n