A PERSON IS ALWAYS FEARFUL OF EXTINGUISHING THE WICK THAT STILL SMOKES

Posted on February 14, 2022 by franksantucci

In the saga of the difficult Father Carles, Eugene reached the point where the young man had to be expelled. In the privacy of his personal diary, he described his concern and anguish.

Already this malicious rascal has apostatized. The fact is that no one was ever pleased with this subject, who did not need to distinguish himself from his family, dried up and compromised in honor as in tactfulness.

He is among those subjects who do not deceive you for long, but one finds himself committed, one hopes moreover for a change which he expects by the grace of God, by the good example of others and by remorse of conscience. But one deludes himself. It was not necessary to make this poor subject a priest. It was necessary to stop at the loathing that his bad dress inspired.

It would have been more worthwhile to break it off earlier, but a person is always fearful of extinguishing the wick that still smokes and a person prepares himself for late and very bitter regrets.

It has not been proven to me that this wretch had not consented to undergo, such as they were, the trials of the novitiate and of the oblation in order to reach the priesthood and then destroy courtesy towards us. His letter is inappropriate and it allows me all kinds of conjecture. I have written to him.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 22 July 1844, EO XXI

The Father of the Oblate Family always looked for the possibilities of restoring its members who were in difficulty to the fullness of life. As long as the candle wick still smouldered, there was the possibility of the flame relighting.

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1 Response to A PERSON IS ALWAYS FEARFUL OF EXTINGUISHING THE WICK THAT STILL SMOKES

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:
    February 14, 2022 at 11:38

    As much as Fr. Carles’ letter to Eugene opened the door to “all kinds of conjecture” so does this entry in Eugene’s diary allow for the entry of conjecture on our part.

    Eugene’s entry in his diary refers to Fr. Carles not by name but only speaking of him as a “subject” seems to indicate the pain which Eugene has experienced with all that has transpired with this man. Eugene is well known for loving all of the members of his family and it would be difficult for him to turn off this love. He would not easily give up on this man as long as there was hope.

    Are any of us so different? Do we not hope that something will change? Do we not hope that whoever is causing grief or pain will somehow change?

    It seems that Eugene is standing at the foot of the cross. And do we not stand at the foot of the cross to grieve while at the same time rejecting abandonment of the one who has hurt us? And do we not abandon the person, only so as to turn him or her over to the care of God?

    Standing and living in the shadow of the cross with the promise of the resurrection.

    Then we pray that all will be well when we meet up again in the fullness of time, believing that God will not abandon anyone. We do not stand at the foot of the cross just to witness death, but also to realise the promise of new and ongoing life.

    I am surprised once again at where I have been led with this morning’s reflection. I think of Eugene’s words to Tempier to stand at the foot of his crucifix before reading that letter. Not just some pious and holy-sounding words, but rather a living stance.

    Reply

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