As we are seeing, the demanding ministry of the Missionaries was bearing a lot of fruit, but was at the same time the source of abundant criticism and opposition. It was Eugene, as the superior of this group, who carried the burden of the difficulties. Added to this was the conflict involving the possible nomination of Fortuné de Mazenod to the soon-to-be restored diocese of Marseille. Eugene’s source of strength came from his oblation: living all for God as part of a community of religious missionaries.
His biographer, Rey, narrates:
However, the trials and contradictions were not lacking for the zealous Founder: they became the seasoning of his existence. So he resorted to prayer with unlimited confidence. On May 20, he requested that from now on we will pray specifically for him every day at evening prayer.
“It is the custom of St-Sulpice, he says, and I have a greater need than the Superiors of St. Sulpice, who live in a state of retirement.”
Rey I, p. 278
This tradition of praying for the Superior General continues in the Congregation today with the daily prayer:”Assist our Superior General. May he guide the Congregation in the spirit of Saint Eugene and be a sign of unity among all Oblates.“
“If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others.” Richard J. Foster
“If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power togive them …” What a wonderful way of putting that, of framing why we do as we do. There is such power in being able to pray for one another, and it is so often all that we can do.
I like the idea of praying for our Superior General, it is such a small thing and such a huge thing. And even as I write this I find myself carrying it further and it becomes more immediate as I add the name and person of our Provincial and Superior. This is another invitation to love in the only way we can. It is an invitation to set aside any differences if I have some. Funny how I have thought to do this for others that I do not know and yet not those more immediately in my life.
I take this out with me today as I learn more of how the charism and the mission of Eugene is being lived out here in this country, by Oblates and Oblate Associates. I shall be a small part of that in prayer.
Eugene asking, “Please pray for me” is a wonderful sign of his humility that I have never seen and it makes my heart sing.