This Solemnity holds immense significance in the life of the Church, particularly for us Oblates, as she is our Mother in a unique and special way. As an Oblate, I have always regarded her as my beloved Mother—a duty born out of deep affection.
Our Constitution number 10 states: ‘…they shall always look on her as their Mother…’ Under the protection of the Virgin Mary, our Mother, we, as priests and missionary Oblates, have nothing to fear, for she is ever-present, guiding and comforting us in both moments of joy and in times of sorrow and hardship.
She never disappoints
My journey as a religious and young priest dedicated to the Virgin Mary, serving in the vineyard of the Lord, has been and continues to be profoundly enriching. As an Oblate, I have always regarded her as my beloved Mother—a duty born out of deep affection. In my role as her son, whenever I face challenges, I instinctively turn to her, and I consistently receive a positive response. My faith in her intercession is unshakeable; she never disappoints. I hold a special devotion and love for our Mother, and no matter how busy my day may be, I always find time for her, particularly to pray the rosary, which brings me great peace and fulfillment. My devotion to her is not reserved only for difficult times; her presence permeates every aspect of my life.
A powerful spiritual weapon: the rosary
As Christians—religious, missionaries, and priests—we possess a powerful spiritual weapon: the rosary, which we must wield regularly. In a world increasingly besieged by the forces of evil, it is imperative that we protect ourselves and others against these threats. To do so, we must engage in this spiritual battle with our weapon of choice: the rosary. While some may dismiss the rosary as old-fashioned, too simplistic, or something left to children and women, the truth is that this prayer is incredibly effective. It is not merely for a select few; it is for everyone, especially for us as priests, religious men, and women.
Victory over our earthly struggles
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. From the Latin ‘assumere,’ meaning ‘to take up,’ it refers to Mary’s being taken up into heaven. During her earthly life, she shared in the sufferings of her Son; now, Jesus desires that she also shares in the glory of heaven, bringing her body and soul into eternal joy with him. She embodies the victory over our earthly struggles. As she ascends to heaven, she carries with her all our concerns, challenges, and personal and missionary difficulties, presenting them to her Son, Jesus, on our behalf.
A true passport to heaven
This Solemnity holds immense significance in the life of the Church, particularly for us Oblates, as she is our Mother in a unique and special way. The name Oblate of Mary Immaculate has deep meaning and grants us access to heaven, as our Founder, Saint Eugene de Mazenod, often reminded us, referring to this name as a true passport to heaven. I pray for all Oblates around the world, especially those serving in difficult missions and those facing personal crises. May our Mother always be near you, filling you with her maternal love.
Wishing you all a joyful feast day.
