In the previous entry, Eugene had asked for prayers at the Marian Shrine of Osier regarding the difficulties that the Oblates were going through. He continues to storm heaven by asking the contemplative sisters to pray for him.
I thank you, Good Mother, for your attention. I profit from the occasion you provide me to beg you to enjoin your community to recommend especially to God the Congregation of our Missionaries which is suffering a cruel persecution in the diocese of Gap…
We lack men, it is impossible to fulfill all the ministries that the Congregation wants to do. The death of the holy Father Albini has completely undone the missions in Corsica…
In short, a time of trial; we need the help of your prayers to repel the evil one to whom God has allowed some power to sow darnel in the field and to devastate the inheritance of the Father of the family.
I let you know these things so that you can speak confidently to God about them. I unite myself in advance with your prayers and bless you as well as your whole community.
+ C.J. Eugene, Bishop of Marseilles.
Letter to Mother Abbess of the St Clare convent, 23 November 1839, EO XIII n 97
Eugene, brilliant writer that he was, described the situation, almost as a parable: “…God has allowed some power to sow darnel in the field and to devastate the inheritance of the Father of the family”. I had to look up what darnel was – a species of ryegrass that can be found in wheat fields which often is a host to a fungus which is toxic to humans and animals. Eugene speaks about the ‘darnel’ which continues to poison the hearts and minds of many in the Gap diocese. He speaks of the shrine as his inheritance to his sons and to all those they minister to.
And he asks for prayers – to have God rectify the situation as God wishes. This is what love looks like when it is adorned with trust, hope and perseverance. He did not use the same tactics of spreading the poison that was growing in the diocese of Gap, but rather entrusted those he knew well to speak to God.
Do we look to see through the eyes of our crucified Saviour whose lens are that of total love, or do we use a lesser grade of glass to look through?
Yesterday I dared to invite all of you to join us in prayer as our Province began a ‘synodal’ process of coming together and entering into deep listening and sharing as we discern how we can move forward as a Province in the coming years.
My heart is filled with gratitude and joy as together we dare to risk it all.
And so our day begins with Eugene and all of us who make up this beautiful Mazenodian Family. “Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others…”