After the Christmas break, our journey through the writings of St Eugene begins again. We had left him in Rome in the process of obtaining Papal approbation for the Missionary Oblates. Nine days after his audience with the Pope, he continued to reflect on God’s blessings, however, a lot more work lay ahead before the approval would be official.
I imagine that you were happy with the last account of events I gave you, and indeed there is much to be pleased about. I am at present quietly getting ready for the next steps; for one must remember the saying of St Ignatius that in affairs one must act as if success depended on our ability and to put in God all our confidence as if all our efforts could produce nothing. I admit nonetheless that after all that has happened up to now, I count only on the help of God and if I do my part, it is to observe formalities and not seem to tempt God. I have nothing more to tell you. I will have to leave you time to meditate a little on the ways of Providence and to thank God. When I think of it, I find everything in the responses made to me by the sovereign Pontiff…
Letter to Henri Tempier, 28 December 1825, EO VI n 214
His attitude of praying as if everything depended on God and working as if everything depended on himself, was a characteristic one of Eugene, who wanted God to be part of everything that he did.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller
During the break for Christmas I used the the Writings of Eugene given to us by Frank in his posting titled ‘Going Deeper’. Although I did reflect on the above it was from a bit of a different angle and so my reflection this morning is a little deeper or from a slightly different viewpoint.
Reflecting on this today I see how Eugene has truly given his all to God, so much so that he does not keep himself separated from God, with God in the heavens and he down here on earth. It is because of that connection that he says yes. It is his working “with” God, each doing their own part, but with the other. This is what makes all things possible. Cooperator of the Saviour – not alone with God magically waving a wand and doing it from the heavens, but with, on the cross with, along side of, living out what was ordained from before the beginning of time. That connection, that oneness. It begins with God, but somehow continues with each of us when we say ‘yes’ and try to live our all for God in however we are called.
Do I say to God – well it’s all up to you. I’ve done my part now you must do yours? May be I should be looking at whatever it is in my life that is consuming me? Have I seen what God has started and that I need to continue on with? I can remember someone telling me that if something is of God then it will happen – so if there seems to be struggle then just walk away from it. That is not sitting right this morning. I must continue on, praying for guidance and direction but I must continue on. Sort of an “all or nothing” attitude. It worked for Eugene.
Fr. Frank,
Although I am a former Oblate Seminarian, the Oblate Charism has never left me. I am currently teaching High School Theology in Omaha, NE and for that matter, I recently stumbled across this webpage as I was looking for insights into the OMI Charism as it relates to the book study I am writing for my students as they read about the life and memoirs of Fr. Theodore Pfeifer, OMI in his book entitled: When the Wolves Came.
In fact, I still remember reading many of your reflections on St. Eugene and the OMI Charism while in formation and I often read from the CC:RR that I received during my novitiate back in 2005. I appreciated your work then as do now. So be blessed as you continue to lift up the life and charism of St. Eugene for the next generation of his Oblates.
LJC et MI,
-Bart