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