And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. - Mt. 16:18-19
– The Nicene Creed
Transitus Oblates are always to be united with the Church Jesus founded––the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church––the pillar and foundation of truth through which the eternal plan of the mystery of God’s salvation is made known to all people; the mother of all believers, outside of which there is no salvation. For “he that receives you, receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He that despises you, despises me; and he that despises me, despises him who sent me.” “And if he will not hear the Church, let him be to you as a heathen or publican.”
Called like St. Francis to “Rebuild my Church, which is falling to ruins,” Oblates unceasingly work to renew the Church, namely by being the Church––the “living stones” of God’s house. Heeding our Lord’s prayer: “That they may be one,” Oblates should pray and work for the unity of Christians who, through Baptism and profession of the Catholic Faith are members of Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church.
In the spirit of St. Francis and inspired by his example, Oblates must devote themselves without exception to living in communion with the Pope (the Bishop of Rome--the mother and teacher of all churches) in true obedience to him, who is the Successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ. For where Peter is, there is the Church, and where the Church is, there is life eternal. Thus it is impossible to remain faithful to Tradition while breaking the ecclesial bond with him to whom, in the person of the Apostle Peter, Christ Himself entrusted the ministry and unity of the Church.
Oblates must also show respect for all consecrated religious and for all the clergy (bishops, priests, and deacons), not so much for them personally if they are sinners, but by reason of their office and their administration of the sacraments. As “spouses” and “mothers” of Jesus Christ the Eternal and Sovereign High Priest, it is their obligation to assist and intercede on behalf of the ministerial priesthood; they who stand in persona Christi Capitis (in the Person of Christ as Head) and thus make visible the eternal priesthood of Christ, who is Head of the Church––the sacrament and sign of unity among Christians. For how can we can say we love and assist, in the work of redemption, the Christ we cannot see if we do not love and assist the Christ we can see?
