WE ASK YOUR HOLINESS TO GIVE US THE NAME OF OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE

Posted on December 10, 2024 by franksantucci

Having decided to change the name of our Congregation, Eugene now asked the Pope to give us this name officially. When this request was eventually granted, Eugene was able to proclaim everywhere that it was “the name that the Pope has given us.”

At the same time, we ask Your Holiness that, in the Brief of Approval which the Missionaries request, you give them the name of Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary instead of Oblates of Saint Charles: this to avoid any confusion of names with other Congregations; 

“As Father Fernand Jetté stated, the title of a religious family usually expresses its nature, essence and function. It really seems that the choice of the title Missionary Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary must have been the culmination of a new and deeper insight into the mission of the Congregation on the part of Father de Mazenod. He discovered Mary as the person who was the most committed to the service of Christ, the poor and the Church and saw her as the most comprehensive model of apostolic life as required by his Congregation.”   Casimir Lubowicki, “Mary” in the Dictionary of Oblate Values, https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/mary/

and further, if you are agreeable and if you approve, to make it clear that Father de Mazenod, who was thereto named by unanimous vote of his co-workers, be and remain the superior of the Society of the Missionary (from now on called, if it pleases Your Holiness) Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary.

 The most humble, faithful and devoted son of Your Holiness,

Father de Mazenod, Vicar General of Marseilles

Petition for approbation to Pope Leo XII, 8 December 1825, EO XIII n.48

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1 Response to WE ASK YOUR HOLINESS TO GIVE US THE NAME OF OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    December 10, 2024 at 12:49

    Today’s reflection offers as an ever deepening awareness and recognition of St. Eugene’s passionate daring, trust and hope as he approaches the Pope asking to not only approve of the new name of the congregation, so that he was able to proclaim that the Pope gave the name for this new charismatic family/congregation.

    Lubowicki was not wrong in stating that Eugene “discovered Mary as the person who was the most committed to the service of Christ, the poor and the Church…”. This was/is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but one that came to him as a response and gift of his devotion to Mary over the years. Who among us in hearing particular Gospel Reading has not asked ourselves why this one particular time we have heard it for the first time?

    This mornings gift is in the sharing of the depth of Eugene’s devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, to our Lady of Tenderness with all of his sons and daughters. It is more than just “the time is right”.

    I think of the beautiful OMI Rule of Life. We are so blessed to be able to follow it, to taste and then chew it up so as to allow it to become alive within us, foundational…
    For those of us who count ourselves as part of the Oblate Family, able to share Eugene’s Charism just as it has been shared with us it is all gift, for we are all sons and daughters of St. Eugene de Mazenod. And all of that under the love and protection of Mary Immaculate!

    This can become a part of our “ongoing formation” if we so allow it. We no longer need to try and make ourselves the “biggest and the best”: I am reminded of Tempier’s response to Eugene’s letter of invitation to join with him and a few others. We each have ourselves to offer, with all of the gifts that we have been given by God.

    This is who God has called us to be. This is how we are called, in Eugene’s words, to perfection (holiness).

    Reply

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