AID NEEDED NOT TO BUILD BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES BUT TO CONSTRUCT HUTS WHERE THEY CAN SHELTER THEMSELVES

Posted on August 12, 2024 by franksantucci

The Oblate missionaries in Oregon were doing first evangelization and thus had no income and infrastrucure. They relied on grants from the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, to whom Eugene wrote:

These missionaries do not appeal to your aid, they say, to construct beautiful churches as in the United States, but to construct huts where they can shelter themselves from the inclemency of the seasons and to purchase the poor food to support their efforts and not die of hunger. They had already penetrated among the tribes and reached the point of gathering the latter around them when the tragic war of the Americans came to dash their hopes. When they wrote to me it was their intention to push deeper into the hinterland, beyond the reach of the combatants, to exercise their most worthy ministry with fewer obstacles. May God protect them from other sorts of dangers.

Letter to the Members of the Central Council of the Propagation of the Faith, 24 October 1848, EO V n 115

REFLECTION

“Without the assurance of food, clothing and shelter, unless you’re prepared to die, there’s no other way but to work.” (Tatsuhiko Takimoto)

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1 Response to AID NEEDED NOT TO BUILD BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES BUT TO CONSTRUCT HUTS WHERE THEY CAN SHELTER THEMSELVES

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    August 12, 2024 at 13:03

    I can only imagine the hardships encountered by these early Oblates: it is with that focus that I reflect on these early Oblates and ask myself what is asked of me in my life?

    Those early Oblates were challenged in so many different ways – spiritually and physically. Just as we are in our current world. What really matters and how do we address it?

    Yesterday I had the joy of being able to share my Reflections on the Scriptures. And I shared my view of how God, how our crucified and risen Saviour nourishes us. I asked questions to my community – what does the Eucharist look like today? I quoted Chiara Lubich: “Out of love for Jesus, let you neighbours possess you. Like another Eucharist, let yourself ‘be eaten’ by your neighbours. Put your entire self at their service, which is service to God…?” How are we asked to become Eucharist to others?

    I think of the words “Apostolic Poverty” – what is enough? And “Oblation” and what it looks like for us to give ourselves as gift. We don’t need embellishment as much as we do love. How do we let ourselves be eaten by all whom we meet?

    Reply

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