In 1818 when Eugene was reviewing his ministry during his retreat, he reflected on the youth and how happy he was with their progress, and continued:
I should add that most of them owe their success to my efforts, and their love of virtue to my solicitude.
Retreat journal, May 1818, O.W. XV n.145
At a first glance this may sound like he was blowing his own trumpet, but I read it more in terms of a spiritual paternity. He was familiar with the Scriptures and with the way in which Saint Paul claimed to be the father of those who had received the Gospel from his ministry.
Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. Galatians 4:19
Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:15
Eugene could certainly not claim that he had been the first to bring the Gospel to the young people, but he had certainly succeeded in bringing them closer to it and had been an instrument of change in their lives – as he and his Missionaries became instruments of evangelization in France and in other continents.
“I have learned that much of my spiritual progress does not come directly from God, but through my ability to humble myself and hear Him speak through imperfect people.” Francis Frangipane
I agree that Eugene was not likely blowing his own trumpet. And I believe that what he was saying was almost assuredly true, because it is evident in the role he played in the lives of those young men. He loved and supported and taught and befriended and guided, etc etc (which he also did with the members of his community, his family and all those he seemed to meet and touch). And he did all that by giving of himself and allowing God to use him and work through him. God was so much a part of his life that the lines were probably very blurred.
I love the quote “I have learned that much of my spiritual progress does not come directly from God, but through my ability to humble myself and hear Him speak through imperfect people.” from Francis Frangipane. This is so true in my life. I do not always stop to listen to God, but God loves me enough to to find other ways for me to hear the message. I am reminded of that saying ‘ no man is an island’. Without others who would I have to share all the joy and love in my life with? Without others who would reflect back to me pain and woundedness so that I might let go and grow? Without others who would I walk with? I can do none of those things on my own – it all comes from God but is so often is brought, carried and shared by others.