THE GRACE OF OBLATION AT THE VERY MOMENT THAT MARY PRESENTS THE WORLD WITH ITS SAVIOR

Posted on November 29, 2024 by franksantucci

On 23 December 1809 Eugene made a definitive commitment towards the priesthood by being being ordained to the sub-diaconate. In a conference on that day he linked the commitment to give himself totally to the service of the People of God with Mary’s giving of the Savior in the Incarnation.

These are the feelings which the grace of ordination has given birth to in our hearts. Let us go, my brothers, and place them at the foot of the crib of Jesus who will soon make his appearance. Let us be the first thing that catches his attention at the moment of his birth, and at the very instant that Mary presents the world with its Savior.

Let us swear to him with one voice that we will be eternally faithful to the oath we have just taken to give our lives a thousand times over in defense of the inviolability of his Church.

Conference for subdiaconate ordination day, 23 December 1809, EO XIV n 65.

REFLECTION

“To become the Mother of the Savior, Mary, was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as ‘full of grace.’ In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God’s grace.”    (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 490)

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1 Response to THE GRACE OF OBLATION AT THE VERY MOMENT THAT MARY PRESENTS THE WORLD WITH ITS SAVIOR

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    November 29, 2024 at 12:10

    There are two moments in this morning’s reflection, one from Eugene and the other from the Church.
    The first moment that I experienced is the Church’s teaching from the Catechism about the “role” of Mary” and is one of those moments which helps us to cement our devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception. It is through the Catechism that the church offers the insight and reality of the Maiden of God as it states that she was “enriched by God with gift appropriate to such a role.” Mary was and is full of grace. The scriptures tell us that she is filled with grace and nowhere does it mention that “it is like she is full of grace”. An absolute not bounded by time or physicality.

    The second moment is pure Eugene as he speaks about celebrating the birth of Jesus, being there at foot of the crib (manger). Again he writes with the freedom of God’s sense of time, rather than ours. Eugene senses the reality of the birth of Jesus which IS and which CONTINUES TO BE. No I am not shouting but rather I am filled joy. I cannot forget his invitation: “come and let me show you who you are in the eyes of God”. These are moments of total freedom and trust. This is our faith. This is standing in the light of St. Eugene as sons and daughter and sharing in his charism, according to our roles and gifts from God.

    It is with this grace and love that we prepare for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and our journey to Christmas.

    Reply

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