ACCUSED OF BEING AMBITIOUS BECAUSE CERTAIN DIGNITIES FELL UPON ME WITHOUT MY SEEKING THEM

Posted on October 6, 2023 by franksantucci

As Bishop of Marseilles, Eugene became aware of some criticism to the effect that he was ambitious and looking for honors. In his private journal, which he never intended others to see, he reflects on moments when he was offered positions of importance and never accepted.

The first was after his ordination to the priesthood. He recalls:

It was during this period that I refused the bishop who had ordained me, Bishop Demandolx, the honor which he had offered me of staying with him in the position of his vicar general; that’s the first response that I could make to those who accorded me the title of being ambitious because certain dignities fell upon me without my seeking them. I still see the window frame where the good bishop so greatly urged me to accept his compelling offer. He esteemed my title of friend of the family, we were compatriots, he would feel very happy to have me with him. I would be delivering him from a painful servitude…

I was hundreds of miles away from the thought of elevating myself. While expressing my thanks, I apologized and stressed my obligation to return to the seminary of Saint-Sulpice, where I was director. The saintly bishop had no idea what was going on in that house in Paris. We know that the Sulpicians, forced to withdraw, had entrusted the direction of the seminary to M. Teysseyrre, Tharin, Gosselin and myself….

When I told him that I needed to go to fulfill the role of director and, yielding to this consideration, he said to me, sighing: That’s different, I am insisting no further; I left him in this opinion and I returned to Paris, where I stayed for one year more as a priest.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 31 August 1847, EO XXI

REFLECTION

Being a nobleman, son of a judge, a graduate of St Sulpice and an accomplished speaker and organizer, it is easy to understand why many offers of ecclesiastical positions and honors came his way.

“When ambition ends, happiness begins.” (Thomas Merton)

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1 Response to ACCUSED OF BEING AMBITIOUS BECAUSE CERTAIN DIGNITIES FELL UPON ME WITHOUT MY SEEKING THEM

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    October 6, 2023 at 12:42

    I remember learning about this in my studies of St. Eugene. Another time this happened was when his very good friend Forbin Janson tried to entice Eugene into joining the Missionaries of France, and even going so far as to offer him a higher position than that of an ordinary missionary. Eugene said no – not because he wanted a plumb position but because there was something missing in the invitation, and through discernment that something was serving the poorest of the poor.

    I don’t see Eugene doing anything for added honour and glory, except to give it to Jesus. I believe that when God lavishes us with love we somehow become transformed and look only for ways to lovingly serve God, the Church, each other and all those we meet.. I think of Dorothy Day, Chiara Lubic, Catherine Doherty and St. Mother Teresa; none of whom crowed about any glory they received from God, but rather how they simply said thank you and continued on with their lives of loving….

    The world watched as the new Pope Francis who when introduced to the world humbly asked for prayers, and I think of the time when I heard an Oblate priest being introduced to a group of people as a ‘true son of Eugene de Mazenod’ and his response was a quiet ‘thank you’ before sharing his presentation…

    We are all called to remember that any greatness heaped on us is due only to the gifts and talents given to us by God.

    Reply

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