Tomb of St Eugene 153 years ago it was a sad day for the Oblates who gathered around the deathbed of Eugene de Mazenod, their Father and their Friend. In the evening of 21st of May 1861 when the Oblates were finishing singing Salve Regina, the hymn to Our Lady Eugene passed away. However their sadness was turning into strong conviction that Our Dear Father would continue to guide the Congregation from heaven.
The day before his death Eugene entrusted this message to his Oblate family:
Be sure to tell them that I die happy… that I die happy that God was so good as to choose me to found the Congregation of the Oblates in the Church.
Then as the last wish in his heart:
Practice among yourselves charity, charity, charity and outside, zeal for the salvation of souls.
We still believe that he does guide us, that he still pray for us his spiritual sons who share his passion for Christ and for Evangelization. Lately I came across some notes that our Founder, even when he was bishop and had to live away from his Oblate community maintained strong connection with the Oblates. What touched me most was that every day from 10.30pm to 11.30pm he would do our Oblate Oraison in the chapel of the Residence of Bishops of Marseille. Such a late prayer session meant that he was very busy as Bishop during his day. There is no doubt that he prayed during the day but that silent hour at night in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament it was the means to be in touch with all his Oblates. He always told us that during Oraison we are one community. It doesn’t matter how much time and distance separates us. When we are in the presence of Jesus time and distance disappear.
Today as we celebrate his feast day we don’t simply reflect on his life but we pray to him and with him we pray to Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
The day before his death Eugene entrusted this message to his Oblate family:
Be sure to tell them that I die happy… that I die happy that God was so good as to choose me to found the Congregation of the Oblates in the Church.
Then as the last wish in his heart:
Practice among yourselves charity, charity, charity and outside, zeal for the salvation of souls.
We still believe that he does guide us, that he still pray for us his spiritual sons who share his passion for Christ and for Evangelization. Lately I came across some notes that our Founder, even when he was bishop and had to live away from his Oblate community maintained strong connection with the Oblates. What touched me most was that every day from 10.30pm to 11.30pm he would do our Oblate Oraison in the chapel of the Residence of Bishops of Marseille. Such a late prayer session meant that he was very busy as Bishop during his day. There is no doubt that he prayed during the day but that silent hour at night in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament it was the means to be in touch with all his Oblates. He always told us that during Oraison we are one community. It doesn’t matter how much time and distance separates us. When we are in the presence of Jesus time and distance disappear.
Today as we celebrate his feast day we don’t simply reflect on his life but we pray to him and with him we pray to Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
The relict of the hear of St Eugene de Mazenod, treasured in the Oblate Mother House in Aix in France where Eugene established the first community of missionaries.
LITANY to St Eugene de Mazenod which was composed by the Oblates in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
You who were rich and content at birth but afflicted by poverty and suffering very early in life.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were in exile for the safety of life in face of the terrors of the French Revolution.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You lost everything in exile but were miraculously sustained by God’s providence.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were deprived of education in exile but God sent you Fr. Bartolo Zinelli in Venice to guide your path.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
When your parents were separated, you lost the warmth and love of your mother at a tender age but you were blessed with the loving presence of our Heavenly Mother.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
Having failed in all your attempts to reconcile your parents, you experienced utter helplessness.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were lonely and had no hope of a bright future in the prime of your youth and thus, you experienced the depression of the idle youth.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
When you returned to your motherland at the age of twenty you were showered with all the pleasures of worldly life and you were quick to discern their vanity.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You encountered the crucified Christ on a Good Friday and were awakened to the immeasurable love of the Saviour.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
At the foot of the cross, on that Good Friday, you realized God’s wonderful plan for you.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You gave yourself to the service of the Church and dedicated your priestly life to serve the young and the most abandoned.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
In your passionate love for the poor you founded the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
With your generous heart embracing the whole world, you sent your missionaries to the ends of the world.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
Called to serve as the Bishop of Marseille, you touched the hearts of God’s people.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You instructed the members of your Congregation before your death to show each other charity and to work with zeal for the salvation of people.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were proclaimed a saint of the Church for the welfare of those in difficulties.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You mediate before our heavenly Father on behalf of the families that undergo trials and difficulties and you are quick to come to their aid.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
Let us pray.
Almighty and loving God, you led St. Eugene dc Mazenod through the sufferings and challenges of a dysfunctional family to a life of holiness. Through his constant intercession bless the children and the youth of broken families. Strengthen the spouses to strive for unity. Grant them the gifts of understanding, patience, love and courage to overcome the problems of life. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
You who were rich and content at birth but afflicted by poverty and suffering very early in life.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were in exile for the safety of life in face of the terrors of the French Revolution.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You lost everything in exile but were miraculously sustained by God’s providence.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were deprived of education in exile but God sent you Fr. Bartolo Zinelli in Venice to guide your path.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
When your parents were separated, you lost the warmth and love of your mother at a tender age but you were blessed with the loving presence of our Heavenly Mother.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
Having failed in all your attempts to reconcile your parents, you experienced utter helplessness.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were lonely and had no hope of a bright future in the prime of your youth and thus, you experienced the depression of the idle youth.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
When you returned to your motherland at the age of twenty you were showered with all the pleasures of worldly life and you were quick to discern their vanity.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You encountered the crucified Christ on a Good Friday and were awakened to the immeasurable love of the Saviour.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
At the foot of the cross, on that Good Friday, you realized God’s wonderful plan for you.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You gave yourself to the service of the Church and dedicated your priestly life to serve the young and the most abandoned.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
In your passionate love for the poor you founded the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
With your generous heart embracing the whole world, you sent your missionaries to the ends of the world.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
Called to serve as the Bishop of Marseille, you touched the hearts of God’s people.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You instructed the members of your Congregation before your death to show each other charity and to work with zeal for the salvation of people.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You were proclaimed a saint of the Church for the welfare of those in difficulties.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
You mediate before our heavenly Father on behalf of the families that undergo trials and difficulties and you are quick to come to their aid.
Response: St. Eugene de Mazenod, lead us to Jesus through the trials of life.
Let us pray.
Almighty and loving God, you led St. Eugene dc Mazenod through the sufferings and challenges of a dysfunctional family to a life of holiness. Through his constant intercession bless the children and the youth of broken families. Strengthen the spouses to strive for unity. Grant them the gifts of understanding, patience, love and courage to overcome the problems of life. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
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