THE OFFERING OF MY LIFE TO THE LORD FOR THE RANSOM FROM THE SICKNESS WHICH WAS RAVISHING MY PEOPLE

Posted on October 24, 2024 by franksantucci

The Shrine of Notre Dame de la Garde is on a hill dominating the city of Marseilles where the “Good Mother” (as Mary is referred to by the inhabitants of the city) watches over everyone. As soon as Eugene returned to the city he went to pray in gratitude for a safe journey, and then to ratify his self-offering to end the cholera epidemic.

My first thought was to go and thank our Good Mother in her shrine of the Garde. I went there today, Sunday, to celebrate the sacred mysteries and to ratify at the feet of Mary the offering of my life to the Lord for the ransom from the sickness which was ravishing my people, an offering I had made the moment I heard that cholera was mortally rampant in Marseilles. The holy mountain was covered with the faithful who came to the shrine at the same time as I did. The chapel was full when I arrived. Before beginning Mass I considered it my duty to say a few words for the edification of the assembly which, if one is to judge by the tears which I saw flowing, was perfectly in accord with the sentiments which I expressed and which came from the bottom of my heart.

Diary, 23 September 1849, EO XXII

REFLECTION

“A martyr is a man who cares so much for something outside him, that he forgets his own personal life” (G.K. Chesterton)

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1 Response to THE OFFERING OF MY LIFE TO THE LORD FOR THE RANSOM FROM THE SICKNESS WHICH WAS RAVISHING MY PEOPLE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    October 24, 2024 at 12:39

    I often think of Eugene’s writings in his diary to be his private conversations with God. These were not left for us to reflect on how great he was, but rather, are shared with us who are members of the Oblate Family so that we might have a model who we aspire to be like in our present time.

    And while Eugene’s language is effusive, his words connect within my heart. So much so that they become foundational within me. I may have my doubts as I expressed yesterday but today I find myself prepared to once again push them to the side before going out to meet the world today and recognise the gift of everyone that I meet along the way.

    Trust in God and those God sends us to walk with. Once again I am given the courage and strength to dare to hope…

    Reply

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