My uncle informed me about the proposal of the Members of the Work of Providence. If I understood it well, these men would want to know if we could undertake the direction of the poor people that their charity has gathered together
Letter to Madame Roux in Marseille, 3 January 1821, EO XIII n. 32
Through this invitation the Missionaries of Provence recognized the call of God to establish themselves in Marseille. Why did this small Missionary group want to stretch their limited resources and also begin to work in Marseille?
There were two main reasons. Firstly, Eugene’s uncle Fortuné had been designated Bishop of this city in 1817 but political events had prevented its realization. So the presence of the Missionaries in this city would be important when circumstances would eventually allow Fortuné to take over the diocese.
Secondly, in 1820 Eugene’s Missionaries of Provence had joined the Missionaries of France for the mission of evangelization of the city of Marseille. The people of the city wanted them to minister permanently in their city. Unfortunately human interests and rivalry were to get in the way and cause problems in the future: a group of influential wealthy citizens wanted the Missionaries of France while it was the poorer classes who wanted Eugene’s Missionaries.
Oblate Rule of Life Invites us to continue seeking God’s invitations thru the events of everyday lifr
While maintaining within ourselves an atmosphere of silence and inner peace, we seek his presence in the hearts of the people and in the events of daily life.
CC&RR, Constitution 31
“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can
namely, surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us.” St. Teresa of Avila
I continue to be amazed at Eugene’s political savy, his ability to look forward and see what will be needed and then to make it happen, I guess knowing and trusting that God will provide what is truly needed.
“While maintaining within ourselves an atmosphere of silence and inner peace, we seek his presence in the hearts of the people and in the events of daily life. CC&RR, Constitution 31” Oh my goodness this says it all! I do not know what the constitutions and rules of other congregations look like but this one, (I dare to say ‘ours’) gives voice perfectly to where I am and struggle to be. It is God who brings me here, through and with Eugene and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Excitement, joy, gratitude, humility, all of these feelings seem to well-up in me as I listen to just that small phrase and then in turn they invite me, tug me into a place of sitting in that silence and inner peace. This is my sunrise today, these are my moments of gratitude and awe that I want to carry with me as I begin my day.
St. Teresa talks of surrendering our will and fulfilling God’s will in us – pretty heady stuff. This desire to live out, to seek His presence in the hearts of others – this all comes from God. This alone is awesome and humbling, it is the flashes of color dancing between the clouds and spreading through the trees and early morning mists. “Thy will be done…” it leaves me to ask “how shall You have me try to live this out today?” “Let me see You in everyone I meet today”.