To be Human, Christians, Saints

by Admin · June 29, 2015

BY�PHIWOKUHLE SIYABONGA XULU

Almost 200 years since the formation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, I can attest to their work in South Africa because I am a product of these holy men of God.

A Mass in 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St Eugene de Mazenod, founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. (Photo from omiworld.org)

Their rich spirituality, inspired by founder St Eugene de Mazenod, is profound.

�Teach them to be first humans, then Christians and then saints,� St Eugene said.

It was an Oblate who baptised me. Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo of Bloemfontein, then an assistant priest of St Theresa mission in Inchanga, near Durban, marked me with the indelible sign of Christianity, thus integrating me into the next level of the Oblates� spirituality: that of being Christian.

In my 24 years of the life God has gifted me with, the torch of fire has always been burning in the mouths and actions of every Oblate I have encountered.

I have been greatly inspired by their preparations for the celebration of their 200 years of existence in 2016 (which, incidentally, begins just a few weeks after the centenary of one of the most famous Oblates, Archbishop Denis Eugene Hurley).

Their wristbands declare, �New Mission, New Heart and New Spirit�, a slogan that makes me realise that the world has changed in the 24 years since the future archbishop baptised me as much as it did in the 200 years since St Eugene founded the order.

The world has changed in ways that require a renewal in so many things. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate are zealous and eager to �renew� themselves to respond to the grief the world has accumulated.

It isn�t only the Oblates who need �a New Mission, a New Heart and a New Spirit�. We all are called to respond to the new mission of life that the world has presented to us. Every one of us must respond to the strife and human frailty with a new heart�and if we sanctify our souls with the Holy Spirit, then we will be renewed.

If we have been renewed we�ll also live in the spirituality of St Eugene de Mazenod as humans, Christians and saints-in-making.

One Oblate priest who has inspired me over the years is Fr Vusi Penyane. He knows the problems and challenges but is more interested in the solutions.

We remember Christ in the Upper Room: he knew what awful fate awaited him; he knew that Judas would betray him; he knew that Peter would deny him three times.

But knowing all this did not stop him from showing love to the whole human race. He knew that his sacrifice was the solution to the world�s problems. His body and blood is exactly that we need(ed) in order to face the challenges that might hinder us in our spiritual renewal.

Christ lived in first-century Palestine, he lived in the early 19th century during the times of St Eugene de Mazenod, he lived 24 years ago when I was baptised, and he still lives today.

Through Christ we can learn, and help others learn, to be human, Christians and saints; and this we can achieve by renewing and refocusing our mission, hearts and spirits.

We pray for growth of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and a successful celebration of 200 years of existence in all four corners of the world.