Page 115 - Reflections on St. Joseph

The Contemplative Dimension

PRIMACY

of the

INTERIOR LIFE

Fr. Severino Dalmaso, OSJ

I
t might seem obvious to affirm that in the life of an Oblate of St. Joseph the spiritual dimension
comes first and the that the interior life is the source for both spiritual energy and missionary

apostolate.
The Constitutions affirm that “the Oblates of St.
Joseph are called to reproduce in their lives and
in the ministry the Christian mystery as it was
lived by St. Joseph in union with God, in
humility, in a hidden life, in hard work and in
total commitment to the interests of Jesus” (art.
3).

Other articles of the Constitutions in this
regard: “The Oblates of St. Joseph should
strive above everything else to love God who
first loved them. They should make every
effort to foster a life hidden with Christ in
God. Therefore, they must constantly
cultivate the spirit of prayer and prayer itself,
drawing from the genuine sources of
Christian spirituality” (art. 10). This is even
more so insofar as “just as the life of the one
who dwells in Christ draws strength and
bears fruit in proportion to the humble and
persevering efforts he makes to become one
with him, so also does the work of the one

91

Reflections on st. joseph