BUT THE CRUCIFIX INSPIRES OTHER SENTIMENTS

Posted on August 30, 2024 by franksantucci

Poor Father Viala had become totally discouraged by the hostile and negative situation in Algeria and had wanted the mission to be abandoned.

Viala has been ill over this. If I had listened to him, he would have returned with his companions. That is what I would have done about him, had I acted humanely but the crucifix inspires other sentiments and, without bitterness or resentment, I wrote to Father Viala to endure with me patiently this humiliation and comply with the whims of the Prelate, since it was a matter of the glory of God and of the good that we were called upon to do for souls.

There were encouraging signs of missionary successes despite this.

 In fact, Fr. Bellanger preached with success at Blida itself, in the church of the priest who was the author of their disappointment. He did much good as well in the new villages founded by the colonists and Fr. Viala recently worked wonders at Boufarik where he preached a retreat which drew the whole population. He wrote to me that he spent a whole Saturday giving absolution and performing marriages.

However, His Lordship told him to his face that he was incapable of doing anything. This success gives me pleasure for several reasons. It served to restore the morale of this poor Viala who was really dejected by the scene which the Bishop made in front of him, face to face. Such is the recompense one must expect from time to time to test our fidelity.

Letter to Fr. Casimir Aubert, Visitator in England, 9 August 1849, EO III n 32

REFLECTION

“The best cure for discouragement or qualms is another daring plunge of faith.” (C.T. Studd)

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1 Response to BUT THE CRUCIFIX INSPIRES OTHER SENTIMENTS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    August 30, 2024 at 14:23

    “Be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow me and I will give you rest…” (Bob Dufford, SJ)
    I remember a time when I believed that the only way I could be okay, was when I put down others. So intense was the pain of my wounds that it blocked out the truth and allowed me to become bitter and angry. I recognize this in others only because I was finally able to see it within myself.
    And while Eugene was angry about how his sons were being treated by the Church, by the Bishop in the North Western US, he laid it before the Lord, at the foot of the Cross. It is the cross which inspires us to seek reconciliation with God and through God, with all who we meet.
    That presence of God which flows from within and all around us, calling us forward to dare as Eugene dared, to dare as his sons and daughters dare – not just here but wherever there is life.
    It is from this flow that we are sent out to serve and share God’s mission, which becomes our mission. It from standing at the foot of our crucifix that we look up and see through the eyes of the crucified Christ, allowing ourselves to be called and sent out, as sons and daughters of Eugene.
    We become inspired. It is in the shadow of the Cross that we as sons and daughters of Eugene we are called and sent to those who are not always touched by the structures of the Church: daring to be sent out on a particular path, daring to be together with all in today’s world.

    Reply

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