I CANNOT TOLERATE THIS HABIT OF IMPERFECTION IN YOUNG RELIGIOUS WHO SHOULD BE MODELS OF PIETY.

Posted on March 7, 2022 by franksantucci

We do not know the background to this admonition regarding the scholastics in Marseilles, but Eugene writes to one of the formators, Father Bellon, that the situation must be remedied because future Oblate priests are primarily religious and need to be models of piety as they live the vows they make as Oblates.

I admit that this picture did not reassure me; I must even tell you that I was not able to contain my indignation at the sight of such obstinacy in a state of voluntary imperfection so contradictory to their duties. This must absolutely be remedied. If kindness does not suffice, you must use strictness.

I cannot tolerate this habit of imperfection in young religious who should be models of piety.

Notify them in my name that I will not admit to Holy Orders those who do not give me the guarantee of solid piety and regularity above every test.

I do not understand that people can bargain with the good Lord. I will not go into detail, but I remind you, who are their director, that it is not a question of being satisfied with anything you can achieve, but that they are to put themselves heart and soul into acquiring the virtues that are proper to the state of perfection they have vowed.

Letter to Father Charles Bellon, 30 August 1844, EO X n 853

Eugene is referring specifically to scholastics but his admonition applies to every member of the Mazenodian Family who follows the spirit of Eugene’s charism in her or his discipleship. He warns us: “I do not understand that people can bargain with the good Lord.”

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2 Responses to I CANNOT TOLERATE THIS HABIT OF IMPERFECTION IN YOUNG RELIGIOUS WHO SHOULD BE MODELS OF PIETY.

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:
    March 7, 2022 at 11:41

    I go to my little green copy of the Constitutions and Rules, Part Two – Formation. There is a small part of me that is able to groan and then laugh at myself at how readily I find help and guidance from this Rule of Life, that can apply to me in my journey as I am called by God to be a member of this Mazenodian Family.

    “The purpose of initial formation is to develop gradually those whom Jesus calls to total discipleship in the Congregation, until they are mature religious, capable of carrying on the Oblate mission. This requires an assimilation in faith of all the dimensions of our vocation, especially of Gospel poverty, celibate love and availability for missionary service.” (C50) I think of how tea is made: tea is added to a pot of water and left to steep, so that the properties, the colour and taste of the tea leaves is absorbed totally by the water. If the tea is not allowed to steep then the water is only partially changed and will not be ablet retain the flavor of the tea leaves, especially once milk or honey is added to sweeten it.

    Without proper formation we who are members of our Mazenodian Family will be ill equipped to carry and share the charism that we have been called to live.

    Even then our formation does not stop. “God is ever at work in the world; his life-giving word seeks to transform mankind, to build his People. We are instruments of that Word.” (C68) “Ongoing formation encompasses all aspect of our development.” (C69) Like conversion, formation is not a one-time event.

    Yesterday I received some ongoing formation as I took part in looking more closely at aspects of Vatican II. “We are Pilgrim People of God.” The journey is ongoing and we have not yet arrived at our destination.

    A new day begins…

    Reply
  2. Fr. Gnanapragasam OMI says:
    March 8, 2022 at 07:17

    There is no compromise in practicing piety.
    We have to live our Oblate Charism. Even if we get less vocation we can not compromise with our values and virtues.
    We have to live an examplary life.

    Reply

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