Father Lavigne had been complaining about his superior, and Eugene responded:
Beware of a secret enemy who imperceptibly invades a person, almost without being noticed, and troubles the soul and confuses the mind, namely, self-love. As a beloved member of the family, become one with your father, your superior, so that you and he are of one heart, one mind, one will. And you’ll discover that God will bless you, and that you’ll be pleased with the happiness that only comes with this level of charity.
Letter to Fr Joseph Lavigne at ND de L’Osier, 27 October 1848, EO X n 991
REFLECTION
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Acts of the Apostles 4: 32-33)
“Mindful of these words (which marvellously sum up our entire Rule), “all united in the bonds of the most intimate charity under the direction of the superiors,” may they form but one heart and one soul [ed. Acts 4:32]. (Eugene de Mazenod 1850)
“If the family were a boat, it would be a canoe that makes no progress unless everyone paddles.” (Letty Pogrebin)