ALL OUR MEN WORK FOR THE GLORY OF THE MASTER TO THE COMMON GOOD OF THE WHOLE FAMILY

I also want to tell you that Father d’Herbomez has left with the Brothers Surel and Janin for Oregon where the need is urgent. The good Father will begin his mission on board ship where there will be about sixty passengers. The boat is well built and we have every reason to hope that it will make good port at San Francisco in California from where our travellers will go toward Oregon which is only some 150 leagues more. That is the way, my dear friend; all our men work for the glory of the Master to the common good of the whole family. Let us recommend to our good Mother all these generous and devoted men who have so much to suffer in accomplishing the sacred ministry for which they long with all the ardor of a zeal that we cannot help but admire. That which edifies me even more is the eagerness and joy with which our lay brothers undertake the labors of this mission, the difficulties of which, and unavoidable sacrifices it requires, we did not hide from them.

Letter to Fr Jean Viala, at N. D. de Bon Secours, 4 December 1849, EO X n 1030

REFLECTION

One cannot but admire these courageous missionaries setting out, on a long journey of many months, filled with joy to share with the most abandoned the treasures revealed in teaching them who Jesus Christ is, and the difference He makes in people’s lives.

For us, is this not an invitation to renew our gratitude for the gift of faith and to ask for courage and joy in sharing it with the most abandoned around us?