“We must repeat with the utmost energy in these times of social and intellectual anarchy when everyone takes it upon himself to teach as a teacher and lawmaker: the City cannot be built otherwise than as God has built it; society cannot be setup unless the Church lays the foundation and supervises the work; no, civilization is not something yet to be found, nor is the New City to be built on hazy notions; it has been in existence and still is: it is Christian civilization, it is the Catholic City. It has only to be set up and restored continually against the unremitting attacks of insane dreamers, rebels, and miscreants. OMNIA INSTAURARE IN CHRISTO. (To restore all things in Christ.) Indeed, the true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, nor innovators, they are traditionalists.” – Pope St. Pius X Transitus Oblates are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the Social Kingship of Christ (Christendom) may be brought about more effectively--the true “culture of life” and “civilization of love”. For without the reign of Christ there is no peace of Christ. Thus, when Christ does not reign by the benefits attached to His presence, He (in a certain sense) “reigns” by the calamities inseparable from His absence.
As divine mercy is the effusion of almighty God who communicates His goodness to men, social justice is the zeal in defending the rights of almighty God--that sovereign Good--who ought to be loved above all things. In this, social justice intervenes when men tramples on God’s rights and offend Him instead of loving and honoring Him. “Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.” – St. Augustine
In the spirit of the Beatitudes, Oblates should seek to achieve social justice and peace among men not so much in political action and protest but by evangelization and individual conversion––beginning with oneself––for there cannot be a counter-revolution in the world without first a counter-revolution within man’s heart. Then, by this holiness, a more divine manner of life is fostered in earthly society. “Sanctify yourself, and you sanctify the world.” – St. Francis of Assisi
Especially in the field of public life, Oblates should make definite choices in harmony with the Gospel and the Church’s social doctrine, for our citizenship and conversation is in heaven, and we ought to obey God rather than men. Nevertheless, as visitors and pilgrims, strangers and exiles on the earth, Oblates are bound by God’s Word to be good citizens, to lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way, behaving honorably among pagans, and never using their freedom as Christians as an excuse for immorality or rebellion.
Oblates are to honor their civil leaders and to accept the authority of every social institution, being subject to the governing authorities insofar as the eternal law of God is not violated or compromised. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist, have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Therefore one must be subject not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For in upholding earthly and human authority, we give testament to heavenly and divine authority, which is the only authority––God Himself.
Oblates are to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all men, especially civil leaders and all who are in high positions. For as Scripture states: these authorities serve as ministers of God. We should pay all of them their dues––taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.
Oblates should be at the forefront in promoting justice and extending mercy by the testimony of their humble and holy lives, their spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and their silent and hidden acts of oblation on behalf of souls to Divine Merciful Love. By standing courageously against the world’s injustice, let each of us––individually and collectively––be a refuge (“half-way house”) for the poor, the spiritually homeless and hungry, the marginalized, and the oppressed. For once we were no people but now we are God's people; once we had not received mercy but now we have received mercy, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of His mercy. Mercy is the greatest of the attributes and perfections of God, thus we are most like God when we are merciful. Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy, but judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.
In imitation of their patron St. Francis of Assisi, Oblates should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the imprint of the Most High.” With a gentle and courteous spirit, Oblates should accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ, especially the lowly, in whom they see Jesus, and for whom they are called to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ. Oblates should set themselves free from all self-serving and divisive attitudes and initiatives––putting away all malice, guile, insincerity, haughtiness, envy and slander––in order to love God and their neighbor: rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep, bearing one another's burdens; thus fulfilling the law of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
Mindful that they are bearers of peace, Oblates should be patient in tribulation, blessing those who persecute them, repaying no one evil for evil, but overcoming evil with good. If possible, so far as it depends upon them, Oblates are to live peaceably with all. For a monk is he who directs his gaze towards God alone, and who, being at peace with God, becomes a source of peace to others. As messengers of perfect joy, in every circumstance, Oblates should strive to bring joy and hope to others. “What are God’s servants but his minstrels, who must inspire and stir them to spiritual joy.” – St. Francis of Assisi
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is discord, harmony; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is error, truth; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek: To be consoled as to console; to be loved, as to love. For, it is in giving, that we receive; It is in forgetting self, that we find ourselves; It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned; And it is in dying, that we are born into eternal life.” – St. Francis of Assisi
