GALVESTON, TEXAS

Posted on January 22, 2025 by franksantucci

As we have no writings of Eugene on this period in Texas, I think it important to tell the story of this mission. Fr. Bob Wright takes up the narrative:

The Oblates selected by Father Telmon parted paths in New Orleans, with Father Telmon and two of his companions sailing directly to Brownsville while Father Augustin Gaudet and scholastic Brother Paul Gelot sailed to Galveston with Bishop Odin, arriving at the beginning of December. Their plan was to remain in Galveston only temporarily, until their confreres had made a proper foundation in Brownsville. While in Galveston Brother Gelot continued his formation, Father Gaudet assisted in the local ministry, and both studied English and Spanish. But the dire circumstances experienced by the Oblates in Brownsville the first several months postponed the plans for Father Gaudet and Brother Gelot to join them there. After the bishop left Galveston for an extended visitation of the vast diocese in April, Father Gaudet soon found himself the only priest in town, taking care of both the parish and the Ursuline convent. When his complaints finally reached France in September, the General Council decided to recall him immediately to the Canadian province – ironically, just as it was determined in Texas that the improved Brownsville situation would allow Gaudet and Gelot to transfer to Brownsville at the end of October. Dutifully obeying the obedience from France, Father Gaudet departed Galveston in early November 1850. The scholastic Gelot, however, with whom the Founder had reservations, opted to remain in the United States and become a diocesan priest.

https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/galveston-texas-united-states-1849-50-1852-57-1929-80/

Six years later, Father Gaudet was to return to Texas for another 20 years and to die in Brownsville.

REFLECTION

“To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.” (A. Kalam)

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1 Response to GALVESTON, TEXAS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    January 22, 2025 at 13:04

    There is something deeply consoling with this morning’s reflection posting against a political backdrop of what might be called madness in North America. In a time of political upheaval, some of the richest persons on earth seem to see only their own self-appointed right to control, rule and destroy all those who might be seen as powerless and unnecessary. We have no one to blame except ourselves. (I see it in both Canada and the US, in both big and small ways of being.)

    It can at times seem as if God has abandoned us and so we wonder if we should join in and follow the band wagon and perhaps try to join into the melee of those clamoring to be better than all others.

    Fr. Gaudet remained obedient to his superiors and returned to community life, while Gelot chose to remain where he was and become a diocesan priest, no longer a part of communal life.

    I think of my small, short prayer which I have said in petition to God and Mary the Mother of God: “Make me small, make me ordinary, make me a light to my neighbour’s feet.” It seems to rise up from my heart in times of tumult, violence and great challenges. These days I seem to say it often in my morning prayers and throughout the day as I try to remain loving to all. Such a small service yet it might be the only one I am able to give.

    The word that comes to mind is “fidelity”. “By growing in unity of heart and mind, we bear witness before the world that Jesus lives in our midst and unites us in order to send us out to proclaim God’s reign.” (C 37)

    Reply

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