THE FAMILY IS GROWING LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THAT IS GOOD, FOR THE NEEDS ARE SO GREAT AND SO PRESSING FROM ALL SIDES
In France it is customary to exchange greetings at New Year. Eugene wrote to Father Courtès to express his good wishes.
So that things won’t happen to me today as they do every day, my dear Courtès, that I don’t have the time to take pen in hand, I am writing to you by the lamp light much before dawn. If I had not wished you a happy festive season, I would be even more put out for being late in wishing you a happy New Year; but you know that Mass on New Year’s Day is offered as a prayer – a wish for all those whom the Lord has given me.
Eugene then shares with him the good news of the growth of his Oblate family.
This year, I had the consolation of receiving the profession of one of our Irish lads, in the midst of twenty-two confrères. During the ceremony, the regimental band was playing beautiful tunes in my courtyard, which contributed to giving the celebration an unusual but very imposing solemnity. I think that at the same time at L’Osier they received the profession of Brother Coste; Brother Fabre’s profession will be held on February 17.
Thus the family is growing little by little, and that is good, for the needs are so great and so pressing from all sides.
Letter to Fr. Hippolyte Courtès in Aix en Provence, 4 January 1845, EO X n 864
The “Irish lad” was Louis Marie Keating, who would be one of the founders of the Oblate mission in Ceylon, in which he served as a missionary for 35 years.
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The tone of Eugene’s letter to Hippolyte Courtès is one of a father speaking to one of his sons – so important is it to communicate his love and prayers that he has risen well before dawn, making the time to spend with one of his sons. He mentions the news of the past year including being able to receive the profession of twenty-three men, one of them an Irishman The consolation of seeing his family grow and the steps they would take in life. Family.
Last night some of the Lay Oblate Associates from across the Province met via zoom to respond to the consultation questions sent out for the upcoming congress. It was a consolation to be with others who make up this part of the Oblate family. It was consoling to realise that what we share is the same spirit, the same charism expressed in the Constitutions and Rules that were first shared by Eugene de Mazenod and how our lives are imbued with the spirit. It is a part of our breathing in and breathing out.
Thomas Merton may have said that there is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun – but last night in our coming together I witnessed those people who shine like the sun.
It can be said that our branch of the family is growing… and that is good, for the needs are so great…