After a long pause, Saint Eugene speaks to us again. My involvement in the illness and death of a close relative led to a much longer than expected interruption of these reflections.
Throughout this period I experienced the presence and guidance of Saint Eugene. As I kept watch at a deathbed for nearly two weeks, I constantly remembered how important this activity was for Eugene, initially for the members of his youth congregation, then for the Oblates and members of his family. He taught me to see this activity as a ministry
I regard it as a principal duty to assist all those of our brothers who are in danger of death and within reach of me
Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 22 July 1828, EO VII n 307
There are many descriptions of how he accompanied the dying. I was particularly touched by the description of his presence at the deathbed of his father:
What consolations religion brings in this supreme moment to the person who lives by faith! It is quite evidently beyond nature. What peace, what holy security, what sweet confidence, but also what eagerness to hear words about God, what gratitude for his blessings, what humility! It was beautiful and heart-breaking at one and the same time. He is asleep in the Lord who will take into account his many virtues.
Letter to the young Oblates and novices at Laus, 24 October 1820, O.W. VI n.55
A second guiding thought for me was Eugene’s conviction that the death of every Oblate meant an addition to the Oblate community in heaven. Surely this holds true for everyone who is dying – an invitation to encourage them by recalling by name their loved ones who have gone before them and are waiting to welcome them into their community. A consolation for us too when the loved one has left us.
Now we have four in Heaven; this is already a nice community. They are the first stones, the foundation stones of the edifice which must be built in the celestial Jerusalem; they are before God… We are attached to them by the bonds of a particular charity, they are still our brothers, and we are theirs; they dwell in our mother house, our headquarters; their prayers, the love which they keep for us, will draw us one day to them so as to dwell with them in the place of our rest.
Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 22 July 1828, EO VII n 307
“While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.” Leonardo da Vinci
Welcome back Frank – it is good to be back here in this place. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.
I love how Eugene describes our ‘going home’, our returning to where we came from when he says “They are the first stones, the foundation stones […] they are still our brothers, and we are theirs; they dwell in our mother house, our headquarters… ” He is describing his real mother house – before the house in Aix, before Aix. He is describing our going home to where we started our from, before the city of our birth, before our ‘time’ began. We come from God and we will return to God.
I have a little habit when visiting an Oblate place of visiting their grave yard. If it is the first time I will introduce myself to all who are there and thank them for their going before me and all that they have been and done – it is a bit like walking into a room and greeting with a ‘good morning’ that is said to all. There is a small joy in all of it and if there are any there that I know personally I will speak to them. catch up with them, share with them my sorrows and my joys. Then following the Rosary (or as much as I have time for) I prepare to leave in asking them for their continued prayers. It has been a visit and I know “…their prayers, the love which they keep for us, will draw us one day to them so as to dwell with them in the place of our rest.”
Even as I write this there are images passing before my eyes of those who have gone before me and who will most assuredly be there to greet and welcome me when I enter into a new life.
I think this morning of Bro. Jack O’Reilly, OMI who died three weeks ago. I am sure that he was undoubtedly greeted by Eugene and so many others, by his parents and his brothers. Back to a part of the whole. There is comfort, consolation in that, which I have not thought of before.
know that you and your sister have been in my thoughts and prayers. At her side is were you needed to be. Be gentle, your brother, jack