The Bishop of Algiers, who gave the Oblates no encouragement, had accompanied Fr. Jean Baptiste Bellanger to one of the places of mission.
I am delighted that you accompanied Bishop Pavy to Philippeville; by seeing you at close quarters he will understand still more readily that our missionaries are priests who are most devoted to the bishops and that their whole ambition lies in taking on their own shoulders some of the burden that lies so heavily on those of the Prelates… I am most anxious that the Bishop be fully aware of this since it is a basic principle of the Congregation… All I ask is that the bishops facilitate the means of maintaining among our members who are consecrated to their service, the spirit of their holy vocation, regularity and religious discipline.
Letter to Fr. Jean Baptiste Bellanger at Blida, Algeria, 10 November 1849, EO IV (Africa) n.10.
REFLECTION
Communion!
I think of Eugene’s charism which has been shared with us and how we are called to live it throughout the world. Our responses according to our roles in life chosen for us before time began. Oblation! Do we truly believe that we too are called to offer ourselves in loving service. The “being” which gives life to our “doing”. This call to communion is for all of us, as consecrated and anointed within us.
We are all called to love, to offer ourselves as gift… God, our crucified Saviour remains on the cross even as he is resurrected. An endless flow of God who is, just as the Trinity is one.
We are all invited to accept this grace which is always in the present moment. The Beloved always with us, and we with him as we stand together at the foot of the Cross. We are all consecrated one way or another, each of us finding our spot to stand with Jesus at the foot of the cross.
I think again of the missio Dei, the Church’s mission and the mission laid out for us in the first 10 Constitutions.