-
Recent Posts
- MAY THE MOST HOLY AND IMMACULATE VIRGIN MARY, OUR LOVING MOTHER, KEEP YOU ALWAYS UNDER HER PROTECTION
- IT WILL SERVE AS THE UNIFORM WHICH CONSTITUTES US EXTERIORLY AS MARY’S ELITE TROOPS
- OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: MISSIONARIES TO THE POOR ACCORDING TO THE EXAMPLE OF MARY, WHO WAS FULLY ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE POOR
- WE WERE INCONSIDERATE IN REGARD TO OUR MOTHER
- WE ASK YOUR HOLINESS TO GIVE US THE NAME OF OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE
Recent Comments
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on IT WILL SERVE AS THE UNIFORM WHICH CONSTITUTES US EXTERIORLY AS MARY’S ELITE TROOPS
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: MISSIONARIES TO THE POOR ACCORDING TO THE EXAMPLE OF MARY, WHO WAS FULLY ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE POOR
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on WE WERE INCONSIDERATE IN REGARD TO OUR MOTHER
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on WE ASK YOUR HOLINESS TO GIVE US THE NAME OF OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on THE BE-ATTITUDES: LIKE MARY
Archives
Meta
-
“You belong to the Mazenodian Family”!
In the flurry of preparing for our celebrations which will take place on and around the anniversary of February 17th it can be easy to forget what is behind our joy. Today I am reminded of the humble beginnings of this family, of the struggles to bring together like-minded men whose aim was as stated in The Preface: “We must lead men to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and, finally, we must help them to become saints.” And then also from the Nota Bene notes that Eugene presented to Pope Leo XII: “…to the work of the missions, which is the main reason for their union… resolve to obey the following Constitutions and Rules; by living them they hope to obtain all the benefits they need for their own sanctification and for the sanctification of souls.”
This was not just a raising up of a few men whose main thought was their own private salvation, for the Spirit shared with them a charism, a gift that would be both personal and communal. These Constitutions and Rules are more than a list of laws and rules to be memorized and followed without thought or life. They are the living expression of the charism given to Eugene de Mazenod, shared with the founding community and members of the congregation in the past 200 years.
As Eugene said, Pope Leo praised AND approved the Rule of Life and the family continues to grow, embracing lay people who make a commitment to the congregation, the Church, to each other and all before God.
We will celebrate with the renewal of our vows and commitments, affirming our oblation. And we will witness and celebrate new members joining our family with joy and gratitude, smiles and tears as we look back and we look forward, as we look inward and outward…