Today the Church reflects on the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We can see how much place in her heart is reserved for Jesus. However her heart doesn’t lack room for us, Jesus’ brothers and sisters. One could say that her Immaculate Heart keeps expanding as she loves Christ so much and with that expansion her love for people grows as well. It is an invitation and encouragement for us all: when we love Christ more and more we find that we love the people around us more and more too.
Today we could see it as two scholastics: Brother Casmir and Brother Anthony renewed their vows in the Oblate Congregation. When a man joins our Order he undergoes a lengthy period of formation which begins with Pre-novitiate then it continues into a yearlong Novitiate. The Novitiate is completed with taking the first vows of chastity, obedience, poverty and perseverance for one year. Then, at least for three years, our young Oblates renew their vows every year as they continue their process of discernment whether it is the way of life God wants them to walk. This period of temporary vows is completed with the perpetual Oblation, when they take the four vows for life. Today we witnessed two young men continuing their commitment to Christ and his Church as Oblates. Twelve Oblate priests gathered for the occasion. When Brothers Casmir and Anthony were renewing their vows before our Provincial, Fr Leo, I could see that the act of the vows was also a deeper commitment to the Missionary Oblates. The Oblates standing around the altar were like open arms of the Congregation embracing these young men. Again it was a powerful moment for me, because as Oblates we enjoy such close relationships in our communities but what bounds us so close to each other is our close relationship with Christ. The closer we are to Christ the closer we are to each other. As their Rector I find it very encouraging to see the growth in their faith and commitment to Christ as I know that they are laying solid foundations for their future life and ministry as Missionary Oblates. Their hearts grow bigger and bigger with love for Christ but it doesn’t give me and worries about their cardio wellbeing, in fact I know that the bigger heart they get the better contribution to the Church and the Congregation they will make. It is great to see their courage and perseverance in reserving so much place in their hearts for Jesus as it means they are getting more space in their hearts for people.
Today we could see it as two scholastics: Brother Casmir and Brother Anthony renewed their vows in the Oblate Congregation. When a man joins our Order he undergoes a lengthy period of formation which begins with Pre-novitiate then it continues into a yearlong Novitiate. The Novitiate is completed with taking the first vows of chastity, obedience, poverty and perseverance for one year. Then, at least for three years, our young Oblates renew their vows every year as they continue their process of discernment whether it is the way of life God wants them to walk. This period of temporary vows is completed with the perpetual Oblation, when they take the four vows for life. Today we witnessed two young men continuing their commitment to Christ and his Church as Oblates. Twelve Oblate priests gathered for the occasion. When Brothers Casmir and Anthony were renewing their vows before our Provincial, Fr Leo, I could see that the act of the vows was also a deeper commitment to the Missionary Oblates. The Oblates standing around the altar were like open arms of the Congregation embracing these young men. Again it was a powerful moment for me, because as Oblates we enjoy such close relationships in our communities but what bounds us so close to each other is our close relationship with Christ. The closer we are to Christ the closer we are to each other. As their Rector I find it very encouraging to see the growth in their faith and commitment to Christ as I know that they are laying solid foundations for their future life and ministry as Missionary Oblates. Their hearts grow bigger and bigger with love for Christ but it doesn’t give me and worries about their cardio wellbeing, in fact I know that the bigger heart they get the better contribution to the Church and the Congregation they will make. It is great to see their courage and perseverance in reserving so much place in their hearts for Jesus as it means they are getting more space in their hearts for people.
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