WHO COULD FORESEE THAT YOU WOULD THROW HIM INTO THE MINISTRY WITHOUT HIS KNOWING ANYTHING?

Posted on September 17, 2024 by franksantucci

Eugene returned to the same theme of young Oblates being sent to missions and not being sufficiently prepared in Western Canada. They were doing primary evangelization with people who had not heard the Christian Gospel before, and mistakenly thought that an initial basic catechesis was sufficient.

We have excellent young men here who only long to go to the native missions. But we are determined to have them finish their theological studies before sending them. Under the pretext that it is not necessary for them to know many things to evangelize the indigenous people, they are sometimes sent too soon into their territories. This is not my idea and however impatient our young people may be, I shall keep them until the end of their studies.

How were you capable of ordaining Brother— as a priest before he knew a word of theology? We had sent him to you so that while studying this indispensable science, he could learn the language at the same time. Who could foresee that you would throw him into the ministry without his knowing anything? It is essential that you take great care of your missionaries and that you finish training those who have been sent to you still young. So refrain from being in too much of a hurry for Brother Tissot. Make him study.

Letter to Fr. Pierre Aubert in St Boniface, Canada, 4 March 1849, EO I n 111

REFLECTION

” The one who goes slowly, goes with soundness, and achieves much” (Italian proverb)

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1 Response to WHO COULD FORESEE THAT YOU WOULD THROW HIM INTO THE MINISTRY WITHOUT HIS KNOWING ANYTHING?

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    September 17, 2024 at 13:26

    We cannot rush the sun to rise at midnight, any more than we can expect the moon and stars to appear at noon.

    Nor do we ask God simply to show us where God wills us to be, without first preparing us for such a journey.

    How can we lead others to that which we do not know? How can we be a witness to that which we have not yet seen or experienced ourselves?

    It is in our being that doing is born. I remember after first hearing God say my name that I had to go to a place where others would teach me not only to love and serve, but also to allow myself to be loved. Eventually our beings break free from their chains and we are sent to one another.

    Our whole lives have been and are nothing less than preparations for experiencing God in the now…

    Reply

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