I RAISE MY VOICE IN THE MIDST OF THE CHURCH AND I WANT IT TO RESOUND THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF FRANCE

Posted on June 25, 2024 by franksantucci

It was often said that Eugene’s heart was as big as the world. His vision extended beyond the borders of France and even beyond his missionaries in several continents so as to be in unity with the universal Church. As Bishop of Marseilles he invited his people to respond to the needs of suffering Catholics in various troubled parts of the world. The typhus epidemic in Canada was one of these occasions, as he wrote to the Bishop of Montreal who had ” been plunged by the frightful sickness which has decimated your clergy and has brought you yourself within inches of death.“

Alone of all the Catholic bishops of the world, I take to heart your deplorable situation. Seeing you overwhelmed by the weight of adversity, it is not enough for me to express my pleas to the Lord in private. Too great is the evil in my eyes not to apply a more powerful remedy. I raise then my voice in the midst of the Church, I want it to resound throughout the whole of France in the hope of inducing by my example other bishops to do as much.

I order public prayers in the whole of my diocese. At each Mass is to be said a Collect, Secret and Postcommunion apt to arouse fervour in the most tepid soul, should such be found among my priests; the people are to be united by such prayers and of their charity they are to be moved also to implore relief from your sufferings each time the Blessed Sacrament is taken from the tabernacle to bless the multitude. My people respond to my thoughts and unite their intentions to mine, they pray with so much fervour that they obtain, I am confident, what we ask for with ardour and perseverance, at least it has been noted that not another priest of yours has died since the name of the Lord has been invoked on their behalf.

Letter to Bishop Bourget of Montreal, 12 February 1848, EO I n 93

REFLECTION

“If we can cultivate a concern for others, keeping in mind the oneness of humanity, we can build a more compassionate world.” (Dalai Lama)

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1 Response to I RAISE MY VOICE IN THE MIDST OF THE CHURCH AND I WANT IT TO RESOUND THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF FRANCE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    June 25, 2024 at 13:10

    Eugene speaks out to all that would hear him, and continues to speak out to all of us regarding the crises that are taking place around the world. It would seem that war and poverty along with a sense of personal entitlement have enslaved us. And we speak out not on behalf of the poor, but rather to push them away so that others might see how great we think ourselves to be…

    “I paraphrase Eugene as I say that each one of us is called to lead all living people to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and finally, we must help each other to become saints.” (The Preface of the OMI Rule of Life)

    It is God who has saved us and filled us with the light of love – we have not done this by our own means.

    How do I step out to love and make a small difference in a world that seems to prefer to think of themselves and what we can do for them. Yes there is prayer, which we are called to take part in, not just for ourselves but for the rest of humanity.

    I am called to make a difference with the people who I know in this time and place. I may never realise the small differences that I have worked for.

    I look at my small Daily Inspirations Calendar from the Writings of St. Eugene de Mazenod… Today’s words come from Eugene’s June 1853 letter to Frs. Tissot and Maisonneuve:

    …you are ready….
    Courage ….

    Reply

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