Draw From the Source

Yesterday, in the Gospel of the Fifth Sunday of Lent (Jn 8,1–11), we saw Jesus confronted by the Pharisees with a woman caught in adultery. Their intention was to test him. Would he condemn her according to the law of Moses, or would he do something different?

Jesus didn’t judge her. He saw through the cunning of the Pharisees and responded with mercy. He invited her to live differently. For her, the encounter with Jesus was a turning point. In her story, I see the story of Saint Eugene. As a young man, he wandered through life unsure of his direction. But one Good Friday, kneeling before the Cross, he encountered the forgiving and inviting love of Jesus—a moment that changed everything.

Last week, with Fr. Alberto GNEMMI, I visited the Oblate community in Aix-en-Provence for the annual visit, as this community is under the responsibility of the Superior General. It is always enriching to return to the place where Saint Eugene, inspired by the Holy Spirit, laid the foundations of what we now call the Oblate charism.

The role of the Oblate community in Aix is to help us come and drink abundantly from the source that flows there—the source of our charism. The mission of the Aix community is described in these words: “It will offer the space and resources for a rich experience of the Founder, his vision, and his spirituality. Seminars, workshops, studies, retreats, conferences, courses, and other creative ways of spreading the Oblate charism will be at the heart of this community.”

The community guides those who come to Aix to the places linked to the life and mission of the Founder so that they, too, may experience what he lived under the Cross, a moment that transforms. There are many activities with this purpose: to lead people into an experience of Saint Eugene. They have recently welcomed Oblates from the Central European and Polish provinces. Throughout the year, they host De Mazenod sessions in different languages, formation sessions for formators, and many other group gatherings. All of this is to bring people to the source of our charism, so we can draw renewed zeal, dedication, and enthusiasm.

Come and drink from this source of our charism.

By Antoni Bochm, OMI

Published on the OMI World website