PRAYERFUL THOUGHTS OF A FUTURE NOVICE

The author of these thoughts, Marco Antonio Ortiz, graduated recently from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.  He was one of the original members of the Blessed Joseph Gerard Community in Miramar, FL.  In August of this year, he will head for the novitiate in Godfrey, Illinois.  A native of San Antonio, TX, Tony is spending a few weeks working for Sal DeGeorge, prior to heading to Mexico for the canonization of Blessed Juan Diego. 

Brother Oblates, in this stressful time labeled by the media as “Catholic Church in Crisis,” the words of St. Eugene DeMazenod, our founder, should be echoing in our hearts and minds.  As we share in the pain of our Church in America, the words our founder wrote in his prologue should be ever present as we continue our ministry in this new chapter of the Catholic church in America.  “The Church, that glorious inheritance purchased by Christ the Saviour at the cost of his own blood, has in our days been cruelly ravaged.”  These powerful words that our founder wrote to describe the Catholic Church in Crisis in France are as relevant and moving today as they were in the 19^th century. 

With those words, St. Eugene set in motion the foundation of HIS missionary congregation.  This congregation of missionaries would have at the core of their mission, love for Our Lord and as such, each of them would strive for sanctity and be committed to the mission of the Church, which is zeal for the salvation of souls.

In this troublesome time, we are comforted knowing that the words of our founder are evermore calling us to renew our dedication to Christ and HIS Church.  Scandals are nothing new to the church.  Nonetheless, as we see that “the beloved spouse of God’s only begotten Son is torn with anguish as she mourns the shameful defection of the children she herself bore,” we are to be filled with great sadness and yet with zeal to comfort and wipe the tears of this beloved spouse of Christ. 

As Oblates there is a vocation to live Christ crucified.  It is not something particular to Oblates, but rather it is a vocation extended to all Christians.  St. Paul wrote, “We preach of Christ crucified, a scandal to the Jews and an absurdity to the gentiles.”  Nonetheless, united under the title of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate we hold this reality as a lifestyle.  We give ourselves unconditionally in service.  In this time of “Crisis” our mission of service should be evermore vibrant in order to better serve the people of God.  In the end, it is the people of God whom Christ espoused.

Marco Antonio Ortiz, July 2002