THERE MUST BE A BEGINNING TO EVERYTHING

The Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica, was unhappy that Eugene had sent 26 year-old Fr. Berne to be a professor of theology at the Major Seminary. Eugene wrote to reassure the young Oblate.

As for all the rest, don’t worry about it. There must be a beginning to everything, and when one has the solid basis of instruction that you do, the wisdom, modesty and reserve that no one will deny you, plus kindness and the other qualities that I know you have, we need not be uneasy about decisions we take, nor about assuming responsibility.

The proposal of the Bishop of Ajaccio is one of these incivilities we easily forgive a man whose education was not too brilliant. Before giving vent to his comment, it would have been better to get information about you as a person. I am obliged to tell him, even if you have to endure hearing it, that I wish he and all his equals would find men like you for directors of seminaries…

Give an answer, my dear son, to these presumptions of superficial men by being doubly faithful in your duties. Pray for me and receive my paternal blessing which I give you from a heart that overflows.

To Fr. Berne, at Ajaccio, 25 November 1849, EO X n 1027

REFLECTION

“Never despise small beginnings, and don’t belittle your own accomplishments. Remember them and use them as inspiration as you go on to the next thing.” (C. Guillebeau)