HE ENTERED THE CONGREGATION IN ORDER TO GO TO THE FOREIGN MISSIONS

Posted on January 14, 2025 by franksantucci

Fr. Jolivet was ordained priest on the Sunday preceding Ascension and said his first mass on Ascension Day, the delay no doubt being on account of not knowing how to say it well. He will set out shortly for England with Fr. Arnoux. Fr. Jolivet entered the Congregation in order to go to the foreign missions; that is what attracts him still. But he wrote me, on learning of his promotion to the priesthood, that he has no other desire at present than to obey. We must not lose sight, however, of the initial inspiration which brought him amongst us.

Letter to Fr Casimir Aubert, in England, 22 May 1849, OW III n. 27

Charles Jolivet was indeed to spend the rest of his life as a foreign missionary, firstly in the Anglo-Irish Province, and then becoming the second Vicar Apostolic in Southern Africa (1874-1903)

REFLECTION

Once the initial fervor dies down in any way of life because of life’s challenges, the words of Eugene can be applied:

To persevere in so meritorious an apostolate, one must hold fast to the spirit of one’s vocation with fidelity and fervour, living always as a good religious, united to God by the practice of all the virtues prescribed and recommended by the Rule.

Letter to Fr. Ricard in Oregon, 22 May 1849, EO I n 119

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1 Response to HE ENTERED THE CONGREGATION IN ORDER TO GO TO THE FOREIGN MISSIONS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    January 14, 2025 at 13:07

    Our mission is to the poorest of the poor and in our loving service to God, the Church and each other. There is within us a spirit, the shared charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod that enlivens and becomes one with our personal charisms. What we must not forget is that it is God who calls us and sends us; we live our faith and obedience with fidelity, trust and hope.

    I think of the many brothers and sisters in this Charismatic Family who I have yet to meet but who I love so dearly. It is a passionate and fiery love which invites my spirit to dance with others, realizing that the words alone are never enough.

    The beautiful Oblate Rule of Life that is shared with us: a Rule of Life that is not there to restrict or bind us, but rather to free us; to open our hearts so to become an expression of our oblation – to God, the Church and each other.

    It is then that we can allow ourselves to be sent to the most abandoned of this world, so as to be able to share our experience of God in the ways that we have been called and sent.

    This morning I am reminded of our Charismatic Family Motto: “We are sent to evangelize the poor: the poor are evangelized”. Always remembering that we in turn are evangelized by those we walk with…

    Reply

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