In this uncertain scenario, we are preparing for our 37th General Chapter which will, hopefully, take place here in Italy, in September… the theme of the Chapter is: PILGRIMS OF HOPE IN COMMUNION. This is a bold statement, given the context in which we are living. Each noun in this phrase opens up many significant images, biblical and ecclesial, as well as stories and wisdom from folk culture. The theme will provide us with many points of departure for faith sharing and animation as we prepare for the Chapter.-
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“A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” 1857
As I sit here this morning rereading Fr. Louis’ letter to all of us who are committed to living the Oblate charism and to standing and walking in the light of ongoing conversion, I find my mind flitting back and forth between biblical times and the present, with pauses and thoughts of the times in between. Pilgrims of hope in communion.
In a world that sometimes seems to have gone mad, I am reminded of Eugene’s world following the French Revolution and its aftermath. It didn’t matter if our beginning brothers and sisters were sent to all corners of new worlds or simply to neighbouring parishes; we were all sent out as pilgrims of hope in communion.
I remember with tender joy how Bishop Peter (Sutton, OMI) used to say goodbye as we were leaving an event or preparing to end a conversation over the phone: “we will meet in prayer,” he from his home and I from mine. Pilgrims of hope in communion.
With the pandemic we turned to that which we knew and I am thinking of our monthly Mazenodian Family Oraison – a deliberate way of coming together in silent prayer, meeting and being in the heart of Jesus. I think of how we have found new and diverse ways of coming together on our respective journey of life with the use of technology. It is different from gathering in person and being able to shake hands and to hug and embrace those we have grown to love so dearly. But I remember the joy and love we found in each other as we celebrated the approbation of our Constitutions and Rules – online.
We have had to let go of some of the old ways of doing and being (conversion) in order to make room for the new and to discover the richness of being together, journeying together and sharing that all with the aid of technology.
One way or another we are all “pilgrims of hope in communion.”