The group model that Eugene constantly came back to was that of the apostles and the first Christians:
Art. 4. They will remember that they are called to continue the example that the early Christians gave to the world from the birth of Christianity: and, like them, they will not allow themselves to be influenced by the glamour of all the seductions that the world will set to work to defeat them.
Statuts, Chapitre XII §1
This was the model close to the heart of Eugene and by which he constantly invited others to live:
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead – anthropologist (1901 – 1978)
I was at a conference/workshop this past weekend where the yeast in the dough metaphor was also used. The heading for the weekend was “the Evangalizing Church” – with the basic theme that through our Baptism, we are all called to be evangalizers. Unfortunately many do not realize that that doesn’t mean going door to door (necessarily), and are afraid of the concept. And yet before Pentacost, and the arrival of the Hoply Spirit, the apostles were also afraid to go forth, fearing their task ahead. If more could only be touched by the Spirit to see that we evangalize through our everyday behavior and actions. I probably have the Saint and quotation wrong, but I think it was St Francis who said something to the effect of “go and spread the good news – and if necessary, use words.”