What is Oraison?
The practice of Oraison was an important part of St. Eugene’s daily prayer during which he entered into communion with the members of his missionary family. While they were all in France it was easy for them to gather in prayer at approximately the same time. When Oblate missionaries started to be sent to different continents it was no longer possible to pray at the same time, yet each day there was a time when they stopped and prayed in union with one another – even though not at the same time.
This is a practice that Eugene wanted the members of his religious family to maintain. Just choose a time for personal prayer wherever you like, and consciously unite yourself with all the members of the Oblate Charismatic Family in praying for one another. The choice of length and content of the prayer is for each one to decide.
Communion with loved ones &
the loving presence of Jesus
“You could not believe how much I think in the presence of God of our dear Red River missionaries. I have only one way of drawing near to them, and that is in front of the Blessed Sacrament, where I seem to see you and to touch you. And you for your part must often be in His presence. It is thus that we meet each other in that living centre which serves as our means of communication.”
— St. Eugène de Mazenod to Fr. Lacombe, March 6, 1857