It is significant that at this very moment when Eugene was confirmed in his role as the founder of a Missionary Society and assured of its future, he thought of Henri Tempier. Tempier had understood the God-given spirit of the Missionaries from the very beginning.
First companion of mine, you have from the first day we came together grasped the spirit which must animate us and which we must communicate to others; you have not deviated in the slightest from the path we resolved to follow; everyone knows this in the Society and they count on you as they count on myself.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 15 August 1822, EO VI n 86
The vocation of every one of the Missionaries was to be like Tempier – to fully grasp the spirit that animated Eugene and to live by it. It is the vocation of the Mazenodian family today.
On a personal note, this text is one of the “wow” texts of Eugene for me and it led me to five years of study and research and writing to explore the question: “What is the spirit that God gave Eugene, and how did he communicate it?” You can find the result of this research at http://www.omiworld.org/upload/biblioteca/Bib_12-01-2011_19-35-08.pdf
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” Henry Ford
While in Aix I received what I can only say was the grace to try to see and experience just a little of what it was like for Eugene 200 years ago. I had gone there, not completely knowing why, just knowing that “I had” to go, that I felt drawn. While there I allowed myself to remain open and vulnerable to experiencing whatever God had in store for me (and that sometimes just plain sucks because to not be in control in any way let alone to not be in total control is really hard – at least for me). But I came away on fire, not just a little bit but a lot. Full of the fire to share what I have seen and experienced, to share in possibilities of how I, how we can live this out today, more fully, more intentionally. When I say we I guess that I am referring in particular to Oblate Associates, but also to all members of the Mazenodian Family of which I have come away with a fuller or perhaps truer sense of being a part of.
This statement; “The vocation of every one of the Missionaries was to be like Tempier – to fully grasp the spirit that animated Eugene and to live by it. It is the vocation of the Mazenodian family today.” speaks so strongly to me. It wraps up my experiences first in the Czech Republic, in Rome and then of course in Aix. I have been given this wonderful gift of being touched by Eugene, his spirit and an idea of how I can live this out. I know that it cannot be alone – I am almost “driven” to share it – it is not something I can (or want to) keep for myself. It is something that I must dare (it is a bit risky here for me but I will dare) to share. I do not have Henri Tempier directly here to guide me but there are many others, and perhaps I can say a prayer and as Henri to help me.) I know that I must talk with a few Oblates in particular about my ideas and how to realise them – again I do not have necessarily the knowledge and expertise but am open to guidance and help.
Today will be “busy” with unpacking and preparing for work to come and the million and one things to “do” after being away for two weeks. I want foremost though, to carry this fire with me today in all of the small things I do and am – it is important that it not get buried or pushed aside, it is not something to wait until I have “learned more” or have better educated myself. I can draw on the expertise and gifts of others. Today I will try to experience just a little through the eyes of Eugene. Mary I turn to you, with your arm outstretched, guide me today.