ENCOURAGE THEIR EFFORTS, SHOW YOURSELF TO BE HAPPY WITH THE LITTLE THEY DO, THINGS WILL GO MUCH BETTER LATER

Posted on October 9, 2024 by franksantucci

Newly-ordained Fr Francois-Xavier Michelier had been sent to Nancy to have been trained as a preacher and to be community treasurer. The superior, Louis Dassy, had complained to Eugene: ” does not seem the least bit decided to write out sermons at all. He is reading all sorts of writings, but he himself has no inclination to write.” Eugene responded:

Can this young man be so blind concerning his duties? He must surely know that I sent him to Nancy to get ready for preaching and that it is precisely this work that he is refusing to do? This is hardly believable.

On the other hand, Fr Dassy was known to be very demanding in his dealings with people, so Eugene advised him:

Take heed lest you have discouraged him. You do go a bit too fast at times, my dear friend. You do not always take human misery into consideration. There are so many feelings to consider, especially in young men! So do not give up so easily. You now see that you are much more satisfied with the work of Father Depetro, it will be the same with Father (Michelier), but I implore you, do not give up in despair, and especially do not frighten these poor beginners. Insist that they work, but encourage their efforts, show yourself to be happy with the little they do, things will go much better later.

Letter to Fr Louis Dassy at Nancy, 7 January 1849, EO X n 994

REFLECTION

“A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her/his potential.” (John C. Maxwell)

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1 Response to ENCOURAGE THEIR EFFORTS, SHOW YOURSELF TO BE HAPPY WITH THE LITTLE THEY DO, THINGS WILL GO MUCH BETTER LATER

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    October 9, 2024 at 13:43

    This letter reminds us of the deep and endless love which Eugene held (and still holds) for his sons and daughters… It reminds of the love of God and those the Spirit chooses to speak and work through.

    Who among us have not felt loved or been inspired by others; be they parents, teachers, friends or those we have met on our journey of life? God does not abandon us – ever. God created us to be a part of that endless love and to live it in most specific ways with those we meet and are sent to.

    This morning we are invited to look at all those sent by God to love and walk with us; and we dare to look at how and to whom we are sent to love. We are sent to evangelize the poor: the poor are evangelized. It is not just for others but rather we too are evangelized by those to whom we are sent. It is in this very specific way that we offer ourselves to our brothers and sisters, even those we have not yet met.

    It is for the small ways of being that we give of and share our lives. Eugene teaches us that we must always love, in the same sense that Fr. Joseph Gerard OMI loved without any banners or neon lights… He was making a difference in the lives of those he was sent to in Lesotho, SA. It was with his death that the people and their Chiefs spoke of his great love and how they were changed by that love.

    He continues to be sent to us today, just as is Eugene de Mazenod for we are all members of the same charismatic family. What are the small ways of love that I will walk with today?

    Reply

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