Eugene regarded the Youth Congregation’s role in the life of its members as that of a mother. The Congregation existed to help the young men to develop in their humanity, to become Christians and to form them in the way of sanctity. The Congregation was meant to be a family that united its members in the closest possible bonds in their lives and to be the instrument of eternal salvation for each one. (When he founded the Oblates a short while later, Eugene expected the Missionary Congregation to be the same all-supportive mother.)
I am amazed to see how effective this idea was in the minds of the youth. The Diary entries around the illness and death of one of its member is just one example to show how deeply this spirit of concern had taken root:
Today will be memorable in the Congregation. It is the first time we have seen death threaten the days of a congregant. And unhappily it is all too certain that it will not let go of its prey. The illness that has seized our young colleague leaves no hope. It is terminal and within a few days he will be taken from us. The charity of the Congregation has in this sad circumstance been equal to its duties. Like a tender mother she has neglected nothing to help with all her power the dear son whom she formed in piety. The only consolation she can promise herself is the hope that this attention will not be without a happy outcome for the eternal salvation of the one she is going to lose.
It is Master Victor Joseph Antoine Chabot of whom we speak. This young man, about 13 years of age, has been a postulant for some months, he was preparing himself to make his first communion this year when suddenly a mortal and incurable sickness came to warn him that his days were numbered and that he was reaching the end of his life. The Rev. Director immediately made himself responsible for preparing him to make very soon his first and what will unfortunately be in all likelihood his last communion. The young man having displayed excellent dispositions, we fixed today to minister to the sick man. The Rev. Director, in accordance with the authorization of the parish priest of the Madeleine, has been entrusted with this ministry.
On emerging from the morning exercises of the Congregation, all the dignitaries accompanied by the received members and some probationary members to whom we had given permission to join the others, went to the parish sacristy. Master Sacristan distributed the lanterns to the gentlemen of the senior section, Master Vice-Prefect in the absence of the Prefect took one of the canopy poles, the sick man’s brother took the other. Thus we made our way with remarkable recollection to the home of the dear sick man.
Before giving him holy Viaticum, the Reverend Director admitted and received him as a member of the Congregation, after which the sick man renewed his baptismal promises. In this way he had the advantage of gaining the plenary indulgence accorded by our holy Father the Pope to those who receive holy Viaticum after faithfully following the exercises of the Congregation.
Already over a period of several days it had been enjoined on all the congregants to make each day a prayer for the sick man, it will be continued as long as the danger persists or until it pleases God to dispose of his life. The Rev. Director says a prayer for him every day at the Mass. We may not omit, for the edification of future congregants, that the sick man received the sacraments with a touching devotion; his resignation to God’s will and his patience in his sufferings are unfailing; he adorns the Congregation, he will be its first intercessor in heaven.
Diary of the Aix Christian Youth Congregation, 26 February 1815, O.W. XVI