WE FULFILL OURSELVES TO THE EXTENT WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO GIVE OF OURSELVES
In 1822, Eugene had written to Fr. Henri Tempier: “First companion of mine, you have from the first day we came together grasped the spirit which must animate us and which we must communicate to others… everyone knows this in the Society and they count on you as they count on myself.” (Letter to Henri Tempier, 15 August 1822, EO VI n 86)
Twenty five years later this was still true, and was the reason why Eugene sent him to represent him in the various communities and to make necessary decisions.
On your return, you would do well to visit all our houses without exception, and to inform yourself precisely about everything that is going on. Almost everywhere people have begun to make remarks on the placement of our men; I pray you to repeat everywhere that this practice is becoming abusive and untimely.
As the missionary demands increased, Eugene was not always able to place the missionaries in situations that they would have preferred. Responding as best as possible to the needs of the people they were ministering to was a paramount consideration.
I know as well as anybody the worth of each member and the needs of each house; so it is useless to pester me in my dealings. I have pointed out rather sharply that no one should repeat such complaints. I am decided not to listen to them. There is trouble enough in organizing the difficult placement of our men with the rather small number of good men we have available, without someone coming along to increase my difficulties.
The tone of impatience in these words is perhaps explained by the following words of an exhausted bishop:
I am answering your letter at the end of a four-hour ceremony.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 17 August 1847, EO X n 939
REFLECTION
In the individualistic self-satisfaction society in which we live, it is good to be reminded of the words of Jesus: “Love one another as I have loved you” and to renew our resolve to put the needs of others in the first place.
“This is the paradox of the Gospel: we are free when we serve, out of love. That’s where freedom comes from. We fulfill ourselves to the extent we have the courage to give of ourselves. We possess life if we lose it (cf. Mk 8:35). This is pure Gospel.” (Pope Francis)
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This morning I find myself comparing what was happening with the Oblate congregation with the experience of the Anglo-Irish Province and now the Lacombe Province here in Canada (and in much of North America). It touches all members of the Oblate/Mazenodian Family with sadness, doubts, fears and many questions.
“The charism of Saint Eugene de Mazenod is a gift of the Spirit to the Church, and it radiates throughout the world. Lay people recognize that they are called to share in the charism according to their state of life, and to live it in ways that vary according to milieu and cultures.”
My own experience of Rule 37a speaks loudly to me. I look at the love of many Oblates who are not yet ready to give up and die. I smile as I remember the words of Fr. Carl Kelly OMI some years ago, when he said that he might not be able to continue in active ministry but that he could still continue to walk with us, accompany us, and be a mentor to his brothers and to the Oblate Associates.
Our vocation to love and serve the Church and the poor continues as we look at all the members of our family with love and appreciation of each other. We are each invited to continue loving and serving with a shocking daring, humility and trust. (Ref C 8). Even in the throws of questions, doubts and fears we continue to live our oblation… We are all invited to press on as “pilgrims of hope in communion.”