ST EUGENE: PILGRIM OF HOPE WITH A FATHER’S LOVE FOR HIS MISSIONARY FAMILY
(Eugene’s ninth “road sign” for the pilgrim)
St Eugene de Mazenod communicated his zeal for the salvation of souls to his missionary family and sent them into difficult mission situations, where others did not want to go.
In doing so, he always accompanied them with a father’s love and prayer-filled protection. The sentiments he expresses to Brother Charles, on the occasion of his oblation, are his ongoing sentiments today for every member of his extended charismatic family when we make a commitment in whatever form our state of life permits.
Now you are consecrated to God for life and beyond by your oblation; and I must add in all humility but with great consolation, that thereby I have become your father. I do not know you personally; but since the affection that unites me with my children is essentially supernatural, it is enough for me to know that the Saviour Jesus Christ, our common Master, has received your vows, has adopted you and has marked you with the seal that makes us what we are, so that we are united in the most intimate bonds of charity and that I am bound to you forever as you are to me.
Letter to Brother Charles Baret, at Notre Dame de L’Osier, 18 August 1843
WORD OF GOD
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he[ is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.
I John 3: 1-2
PRAYER
God our Father,
by the grace of the Holy Spirit,
you called St. Eugene de Mazenod
to gather a missionary family
to announce the Gospel
especially among the poor and most abandoned.
May we ourselves be encouraged by his fatherly love and prayers for us,
and receive through his intercession
the particular graces we ask for as pilgrims of hope.
