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A Reflection on the Charism Statement and Spirituality of the Oblates of the Heart of Mary
Charism
That Jesus Christ may reign in all hearts,
we offer our lives to God as a loving oblation
with Our Lady at the foot of the Cross.
We strive to be Mary’s reflection in the world—
her heart, her face, her hands, and voice
to all our brothers and sisters in Christ,
especially those called to the Holy Priesthood.
Spirituality of Oblation
In Catholic tradition, an oblation is a solemn offering or sacrifice
presented to Almighty God. In the Canon of the Mass, before the
bread and wine are consecrated, the offerings are called oblations. In
this sacred context, the word points us to the infinite redemptive
sacrifice Jesus Christ offered to His Heavenly Father on the Cross.
In that darkest hour, Our Blessed Mother stood faithfully beneath the
Cross with the small remnant who remained. United in heart with
Her Divine Son, she entered into His perfect offering to the Father
with faith, love, and steadfast surrender.
As we offer our lives sacrificially with Christ, Mary becomes our
inspiration and model of persevering love. She teaches us how to
remain at the foot of the Cross—steadfast in faith, hope, and
charity—and how to make of our lives a loving oblation for the reign
of Jesus Christ in every heart.
Mary’s Heart
What do we mean by “heart”?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The heart is the
dwelling-place where I am, where I live; according to the Semitic or
Biblical expression, the heart is the place to which I withdraw.’ The heart
is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only
the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully.”
The heart reveals the person. It is the wellspring of our love, joy, and
sorrow. The more excellent and sensitive the heart is, the greater its
capacity for both love and suffering.
A great lover of Mary said of her heart, “When we speak of “the heart of
Mary” we mean the Holy Virgin’s physical heart of flesh. This is the
symbol of her twofold love, spiritual and affective, for God and mankind;
it is also the symbol of all the virtues, acquired and infused and all the
charisms and gifts of the Mother of God.”
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