SAINT MICHAEL'S MANIFESTO

It has pleased God to make Himself loved, and while we were still his enemies. He loved us so much that he sent his only son: He gave Him to us to be the magnet which draws us to divine love, to be the model which shows us the laws of love, and to be the means of attaining divine love: the Son of God became man.

At the moment He entered the world animated by the Spirit of God His Father, He gave Himself up to all God’s designs for Him; He took the place of all victims; He said: "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure". Then I said: "Here I am, I have come to do your will, O my God.

Jesus began His life's work by this great act which he never discontinued. From this moment onward he remained always in a state of victim, annihilated before God. He did nothing on His own; His actions were always directed by the Spirit of God; His disposition was one of constant abandonment to the orders of God, to suffer and do whatever He wanted: He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross".

            This is how God loves us.......

At the sight of this marvellous spectacle, the priests of Betharram felt drawn to dedicate themselves to imitating Jesus, humble and obedient, and to working whole-heartily to bring the same happiness to others, under the protection of Mary; she was always disposed to do what God wanted and was always submissive to what God did.

                        (St. Michael Garicoïts, Preface to the Constitutions of 1838)