Novena Prayer for Vocations to Oblate Religious Lifethe law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of...
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1 In his letter to the Congregation at the beginning of the Oblate Triennium, Father General wrote: “And what did our Lord Jesus Christ do?” What do we learn from Jesus? Jesus’ life incarnated a full integrity: His life witnessed to the Good News that he preached. Jesus was a prayerful man: living out of a deep communion with his Abba, impelled by the Spirit, he prayed before choosing his disciples and told us to pray for laborers. Jesus called others by name to be with him, to follow him, and he formed them. Might that not be a template for our own ministry of Oblate vocations? Our lives must witness to the Good News we preach as we were so powerfully called by the 2010 Chapter on “Conversion.” We must be men of prayer, contemplatives in loving communion with the Father, the Son and the Spirit. We must pray for vocations. (Recently Pope Francis said that vocation ministry is a ministry of the knees, of prayer, rather than programmatic strategy.) We must invite young men by name to follow Jesus as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate…” (Letter to the Congregation, December 8, 2013) “Oblate spirituality calls us to daily periods of silent prayer to rest in the Mystery of God. This experience makes us more generous in our vocational journey, in the way we relate to the poor and in apostolic community.” (Letter to the Congregation on the Year of Oblate Vocations, December 8, 2017) Novena Prayer for Vocations to Oblate Religious Life 21 – 29 May 2020
Transcript of Novena Prayer for Vocations to Oblate Religious Lifethe law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of...
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InhislettertotheCongregationatthebeginningoftheOblateTriennium,FatherGeneralwrote:“AndwhatdidourLordJesusChristdo?”WhatdowelearnfromJesus? Jesus’ life incarnateda full integrity:His lifewitnessedtotheGoodNewsthathepreached.Jesuswasaprayerfulman:livingoutofadeepcommunionwithhisAbba,impelledbytheSpirit,heprayed before choosing his disciples and told us to pray forlaborers.Jesuscalledothersbynametobewithhim,tofollowhim,andhe formedthem.Might thatnotbea template forourownministryofOblatevocations?OurlivesmustwitnesstotheGoodNews we preach as we were so powerfully called by the 2010Chapter on “Conversion.” We must be men of prayer,contemplativesinlovingcommunionwiththeFather,theSonandtheSpirit.Wemustprayforvocations.(RecentlyPopeFrancissaidthatvocationministryisaministryoftheknees,ofprayer,ratherthanprogrammaticstrategy.)Wemustinviteyoungmenbynameto follow Jesus as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate…”(LettertotheCongregation,December8,2013)
“OblatespiritualitycallsustodailyperiodsofsilentprayertorestintheMysteryofGod.Thisexperiencemakesusmoregenerousinourvocational journey, inthewaywerelatetothepoorand inapostoliccommunity.”(LettertotheCongregationontheYearofOblateVocations,December8,2017)
NovenaPrayerforVocations
toOblateReligiousLife
21–29May2020
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ThefirstdayVOCATION:-THECALL
Leader:Jesussaid:“Whatareyoulookingfor...comeandsee…”Readings:Reading#1:FromtheGospelaccordingtoJohn1:35-46:
ThenextdayagainJohnwasstandingwithtwoofhisdisciples;andhelookedatJesusashewalked,andsaid,"Behold,theLambofGod!"Thetwodisciplesheardhimsaythis,andtheyfollowedJesus.Jesusturned,andsawthemfollowing,andsaidtothem,"Whatareyoulookingfor?"Andtheysaidtohim,"Rabbi"(whichmeansTeacher),"whereareyoustaying?"Hesaidtothem,"Comeandsee."Theycameandsawwherehewasstaying;andtheystayedwithhimthatday,foritwasaboutthetenthhour.OneofthetwowhoheardJohnspeak,andfollowedhim,wasAndrew,SimonPeter'sbrother.HefirstfoundhisbrotherSimon,andsaidtohim,"WehavefoundtheMessiah"(whichmeansChrist).HebroughthimtoJesus.Jesuslookedathim,andsaid,"SoyouareSimonthesonofJohn?YoushallbecalledCephas"(which
meansPeter).ThenextdayJesusdecidedtogotoGalilee.AndhefoundPhilipandsaidtohim,"Followme."NowPhilipwasfromBethsaida,thecityofAndrewandPeter.PhilipfoundNathanael,andsaidtohim,"WehavefoundhimofwhomMosesinthelawandalsotheprophetswrote,JesusofNazareth,thesonofJoseph."Nathanaelsaidtohim,"CananythinggoodcomeoutofNazareth?"Philipsaidtohim,"Comeandsee."Reading#2:FromtheOblateRuleTheOblatesareaMissionaryCongregation.TheyaremensetapartfortheGospel,menreadytoleaveeverythingtobedisciplesofJesusChrist,TheirprincipalserviceintheChurchistoproclaimChristandhisKingdomtothemostabandoned.TheypreachtheGospelamongpeoplewhohavenotyetreceivedit.WheretheChurchisalreadyestablished,theircommitmentistothosegroupsittouchesleast.ThemissionoftheOblatesisespeciallytothosepeoplewhoseconditioncriesoutforsalvationandforthehopewhichonlyJesusChristcanfullybring.Thesearethepoorwiththeirmanyfaces–theyhaveourpreferencebecauseoftheirneed.
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOurFather…HailMary…SaintEugenedeMazenod…PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard…PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhisCompanions…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist…andMaryImmaculateOrWepray,Father,thatyourChurchwouldneverlackforshepherds.Rememberthepoor,abandonedandneedy.RaiseupmenofloveandzealtopreachtheGospeltoallthosewhoareinneedofthehopeofsalvation.EugenedeMazenodunderstoodyourloveforallyourchildrenandwasgenerousintheirservice.MaytherebemanywhowouldsharehisvisionandgivethemselvesselflesslyasOblatesofMaryImmaculate.WeaskthisthroughChristOurLord.Amen.
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TheseconddayVOCATION-THESENDING
Leader: Theharvestisgreat,theworkers,few.
Jesussaid:“PraytheLordoftheharvesttosendlaborerstotheharvest”.
Readings:
Reading#1:FromtheGospelofMatthew:Jesussaid“Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.Go,therefore,makedisciplesofallnations;baptizetheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,andteachthemtoobserveallthecommandsIgaveyou.Andlook,Iamwithyoualways;yes,totheendoftime”.Reading#2:EugenedeMazenod,wrote:"Ifpriestscouldbeformed,afirewithzealformen'ssalvation,solidlygroundedinvirtue-inaword,apostolicmendeeplyconsciousoftheneedtoreformthemselves,whowouldlaborwithalltheresourcesattheircommandtoconvertothers-thentherewouldbeamplereasontobelievethatinashortwhilepeoplewhohadgoneastraymightbebroughtbacktothelongneglecteddutiesofreligion,Wepledgeourselvestoalltheworksofzealthatpriestlycharitycaninspire...WemustsparenoefforttoextendtheSavior'sEmpireanddestroythedominionofhell,"
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOrLordGod,Father,throughtheintercessionofSaintEugenedeMazenod,founderoftheOblatesofMaryImmaculate,wepraythattherewouldbemanymoreyoungmenwillingtogivetheirlivesinserviceoftheGospel.Sendworkersintoyourvineyardinthesedayswhentheharvestisgreatbuttheworkersarefew.WemakeourprayerthoughChristourLord.Amen.OurFather…HailMary…SaintEugenedeMazenod…PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard…PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhisCompanions…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist…andMaryImmaculate
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ThethirddayVOCATION-THECHALLENGE
Leader: Jesussaid:"Youdidnotchooseme,Ichoseyou...
togoforthandbearfruitinabundance".Readings:Reading#1:FromSt.Paul'sLettertotheRomansAllwhocallonthenameoftheLordwillbesaved.HowaretheytocallonHimiftheydonotbelieve?HowcantheybelieveinHimiftheyhaveneverheardofHim?HowcantheyhearofHimunlesssomeonepreaches?Andhowwilltherebepreachersunlesstheybesent?Scripturesays:'Howbeautifularethefeetofthosewhobringgoodnews.'FaithcomesthroughtheWordofGod.
Reading#2:FromPopePaulVI'swritingsLikeChrist,theChurchseesbeforeheranimmensemultitudeofpeoplewhoneedtheGospelandhavearighttoit,forGod"wantseveryonetobesavedandcometoknowledgeofthetruth."TheChurchhasadutytopreachsalvationtoall.TheGospelmessageisnotreservedtoasmallgroupoftheelectorprivilegedbutisdestinedforeveryone.ThereisanguishintheChurchofChristbecausethereareexhaustedcrowdslikesheepwithoutashepherdwhohungerfortheliberatingwordofGodthatoffershopeandlife.ThewordofGodmustbespoken,shared,proclaimedandlived.
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOrGodofjoyfulhopeandfaithfullove:youcallustosharefullyinthemissionofyourSon.InthistimeofgreatpromiseandchangeinspireustobewitnessestothepowerandpresenceofJesus.MayweloveandrespectallyouhavecreatedandbedisciplesoftheGoodNewsespeciallyamongthedispossessed.GuidedbytheHolySpirit,mayothersbeinspiredtoleaveeverythingfortheGospel,bybecomingOblatesofMaryImmaculate.WeaskthisthroughChristourLord.Amen.OurFather...HailMary…SaintEugenedeMazenod...PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard...PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhisCompanions…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist...andMaryImmaculate
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ThefourthdayVOCATION-THEMISSION
Leader: Jesussaid:"Comefollowme"...
Theylefteverythingandfollowedhim…Readings:
Reading#1:FromtheGospelofLukeJesuscametoNazarethandwenttothesynagogueontheSabbath.HestooduptoreadfromtheprophetIsaiah.Unrollingthescrollhefoundtheplacewhereitiswritten-"TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme.Hehasanointedme.Hehassentmetobringgoodnewstothepoor;toproclaimlibertytocaptives,sighttotheblindandtosetthedowntroddenfree."
Reading#2:BlessedJosephGerardwrote:IcanpictureanOblateofMaryImmaculateinhismission:hewantstoseeeverythingwithhiseyes,knowwithhisheart,givejoytoeveryonebyhispresence,beallthingstoallpeopletowinthemovertoJesusChrist...Heisnotsatisfiedwithgeneralrelationships,wherethepriestisthepriestofeveryone,butnotenoughthepriesttoeachone.Helovesinsuchawaythateachonewouldbelievehimselforherselftobeuniquelylovedbyhim....Wemustloveourpeople,lονetheminspiteofeverything,lovethemalways.Theworldbelongstothepersonwholovesitmostandprovesit.
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOrGodourFather,youhavelovedussomuchthatyousentyouronlySontobeoursavior;stirupthegraceofaholyvocationintheheartsofmanyyoungmen.MaytheyhavethegenerosityandwillingnesstoserveyouwiththeirwholelivesasOblatesofMaryImmaculateandwinmanyovertotheloveofyourSon,JesusChrist.OurFather...HailMary…SaintEugenedeMazenod...PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard...PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhisCompanions…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist...andMaryImmaculate
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ThefifthdayVOCATION-THEGIFT
Leader: Jesussaid:"HewholoseshislifeformysakeandfortheGospel...
willtrulyfindit."Readings:Reading#1:FromtheGospelofMatthewTheKingdomofGodislikeaburiedtreasurewhichsomeonefoundinafield.Hehiditagain,andrejoicingathisfortune,wentandsoldallhehadandboughtthatfield.Oragain,theKingdomofgodislikeamerchant’ssearchforfinepearls.Whenhefoundonereallyvaluablepearl,hewentbackandsoldallheownedandheboughtthepearl.Reading#2:FromthewritingsofSaintEugenedeMazenod,FounderoftheOblatesofMaryImmaculateEveryreligiouscongregationintheChurchhasaspiritallitsown;itisinspiredbytheSpiritofGodtorespondtotheneedsoftheChurchtoworkforthesalvationofsouls.Byourparticularvocationweareinvolvedwiththeredemptionofhumanity...Maywe,bythesacrificeofourwholebeing,socooperateasnottorenderHisredemptionfruitlessforourselvesandforthosewearecalledupontoevangelize.
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOr
Wepray:Stiruptheflameoffaithandthefireofloveintheheartsofyoungmenandinspirethemtodedicatethemselvestoyourservicewithunboundedconfidenceandzeal.ThroughtheintercessionofOurImmaculateMotherbringagreatmanyvocationstotheOblatesofMaryImmaculatesothattheworkoftheCongregationmaycontinue.WeaskthisthroughChristOurLord.Amen.OurFather...HailMary…SaintEugenedeMazenod...PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard...PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhisCompanions…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist...andMaryImmaculate
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ThesixthdayVOCATION-THEIDEAL
Leader: Jesussaid:"Ifsomeonewishestocomeafterme...
Hemustdenyhimself,takeuphiscrossandfollowme."Readings:Reading#1:FromtheGospelofMarkJesuswaswalkingalongtheSeaofGalileeandhesawSimonandhisbrotherAndrewcastingnetsintothesea;theywerefishermen.Jesussaidtothem,"Comefollowme.Iwillmakeyoufishersofmen."Theyimmediatelyabandonedtheirnetsandbecamehisfollowers.Reading#2:FromtheOblateRuleOurmissionistoproclaimthekingdomofGodandseekitbeforeallelse.Wefulfillthismissionincommunity;andourcommunitiesareasignthatinJesus,Godiseverythingforus.TogetherweawaitChrist'scominginthefullnessofhisjusticesothatGodmaybeallinall.Growinginfaith,hopeandlove,wecommitourselvestobealeavenoftheBeatitudesattheheartoftheworld.Ourmissionrequiresthat,inaradicalway,wefollowJesuswhowaschasteandpoor,andwhoredeemedmankindbyhisobedience.Thatiswhy,throughagiftoftheFather,wechoosethewayoftheevangelicalcounsels.
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOrJesusourLordandbrother,youstillextendyourinvitationtodiscipleshipinourday.Maytherebemanywhowouldhearyourcallandfindwithinthemselvesthegenerosityandfaithtorespond.Raiseupmentoserviceatyouraltar,menofhopeanddedicationwhowillfollowyouwithoutreserveasOblatesofMaryImmaculateandwhowillserveyourpeoplewithjoyfullove.WeaskthisthroughJesusChristOurLord.Amen.OurFather...HailMary…SaintEugenedeMazenod...PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard...PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhisCompanions…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist...andMaryImmaculate
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TheseventhdayVOCATION-THERESPONSE
Leader: BeholdthehandmaidoftheLord…
LetitbedoneaccordingtoyourWordReadings:Reading#1:FromtheGospelofSaintLukeTheHolySpiritwillcomeuponyouandthepowerofMostHighwillcoveryouwithHisshadow.Thus,theChildwillbeholyandwillbecalledtheSonofGod…ThereisnothingimpossiblewithGod.Maryresponded:“IamtheservantoftheLord.Letitbedonetomeasyouhavesaid”.
Reading#2:FromthePrefacetotheRuleHowshouldmenwhowanttofollowinthefootstepsoftheirdivineMasterJesusChristconductthemselvesiftheyaretowinbackthemanysoulswhohavethrownoffHisyoke?Theymuststrivetobesaints.Theymustwalkcourageouslyalongthesamepathstroddenbysomanybeforethemwhohandedonsplendidexamplesofvirtue.Theymustwhollyrenouncethemselves,strivingsolelyforthegloryofGod,thegoodoftheChurch,andthegrowthandsalvationofsouls.
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOrFather,youcontinuetocallmentototalservice,commitmentanddedication:menopentotheSpiritwhowillbringforthJesusintheworldtodaythroughthegiftofpriestlyministryandreligiouslife.MaythoseYoucallhearyourgentlevoiceandhavethecouragetorespondwithwholeheartedconfidenceandtrust.StirupthegraceofavocationintheheartsofmanygenerousyoungmensotheworkoftheOblatesmaybothcontinueandflourishintheChurch.Amen.OurFather…HailMary…Mary,discipleoftheLord…PrayforusSaintEugenedeMazenod…PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard…PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhiscompanion…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist…andMaryImmaculate
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TheeighthdayVOCATION-THECHARISM
Leader: HesentmetobringGoodNewstothePoor…
ThePoorhaveheardGoodNewsReadings:Reading#1:FromtheProphetIsaiahTheSpiritoftheLordhasbeengivenme.Hehasanointedme.HehassentmetobringGoodNewstothepoor,tobindupheartsthatarebroken,toproclaimlibertytocaptivesandfreedomtotheimprisoned…tocomfortthosewhomourn…Hesentmetorestoretheancientruinsandrebuiltthecitiesthathadbeendestroyed.Reading#2:ASermonofEugenedeMazenodServants!Farmhands!Peasants!Poor!ComeandlearnwhoyouareintheeyesofGod.YoupoorofJesusChrist,youafflicted,unfortunate,suffering,infirm,diseased:allyouwhoareburdenedwithmisery,listentome!YouarethechildrenofGod,brothersandsistersofJesusChrist,co-heirsofHiseternalkingdom,Hischerishedinheritance.Liftupyourminds:youarethechildrenofGod.Lookthroughthetattersthatcoveryou.ThereisanimmortalsoulwithinyoumadetotheimageofGod,asoulredeemedatthepriceoftheverybloodofJesus,morepreciousintheeyesofGodthanalltherichesandallthekingdomsofthisearth.Knowyourdignity–youevensharetheDivineNature–ChildrenofGod,ChildrenoftheMostHigh!
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOrFather,youchoseEugenedeMazenodandinspiredhimwithwonderfulloveforthepoorandgavehimthegiftoftouchingtheirhearts.MaytheOblatesonsofEugenecontinue,increaseandflourishintheChurch.MaytheyneverceaseproclaimingtheliberatingGospelofJesusChristtothepoorinimitationoftheirfounder.RaiseupzealousmenoffaithtotheOblatefamilyforthegloryofyourname.WeaskthisthroughChristOurLord.Amen.OurFather…Mary,discipleoftheLord…PrayforusSaintEugenedeMazenod…PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard…PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhiscompanion…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist…andMaryImmaculate
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TheninthdayVOCATION–-THEENCOUNTER
Leader: WepraiseyouoChristandblessyou…
Byyourholycross,youhaveredeemedtheworld.Readings:Reading#1:FromSt.Paul’sFirstLettertotheCorinthiansWhenIcameamongyouitwasnottopreachmyselfbutJesusChrist…IdidnotcomeproclaimingGod’swordwithanyparticulareloquence.IwasdeterminedtospeakonlyofJesusChristandhimcrucified.Asaconsequence,yourfaithrestsnotonhumanwisdom,butonthepowerofGod…ForthecrossofChristisastumblingblocktotheJews,anabsurditytotheGreeks;buttothosewhoarecalled,thecrossisthewisdomandthepowerofGod.Reading#2:FromtheOblateRuleThecrossofJesusChristiscentraltoourmission.LiketheapostlePaul,we“preachChristandhimcrucified”.IfwebearinourbodythedeathofJesus,itiswiththehopethatthelifeofJesus,too,maybeseeninourbody.ThrougheyesofourcrucifiedSavior,desiringthatthoseinwhomhecontinuestosufferwillknowalsothepowerofhisresurrection.
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PrayerHolyFather,wecometoyoubecauseJesusaskedustopraythatyousendworkersintoyourharvest.Therefore,sendusgenerousyoungmen,passionateforJesus,willingtomakeoftheirwholelifeatotaloblationtoyou,tobecomeclosetothepoorestandmostabandoned,andtoproclaimtheGospel.MaytheyburnwiththesamefirethatyouenkindledinSaintEugene;maytheycometobepartofhisfamilyand,withalltheOblates,maytheycontinuetheworkofRedemption.MaryImmaculate,WhofirstgaveJesustotheworld,bewithusaswepray.AmenOrLordJesus,youredeemedtheworldbyyourpassionandlove.Thedepthofyourloveisrevealedinyoursuffering.MaytherebeyoungmenraisedupintheChurchwhoareinspiredbyyourlovetogivethemselves,theirtimeandtheirtalents,-indeed,theirwholelives–toyourservice.MayyourOblateCongregationgrowinnumbersandwithstrengthandholinessasitcontinuestoshareyourlovewiththepoorestandmostabandoned.WemakeourprayerthroughChristourLord.Amen.OurFather…Mary,discipleoftheLord…PrayforusSaintEugenedeMazenod…PrayforusBlessedJosephGerard…PrayforusBlessedJosephCebula…PrayforusBlessedFrancisEstebanandhiscompanion…PrayforusBlessedOblateMartyrsofLaos…PrayforusPraisedbeJesusChrist…andMaryImmaculate
