The year 1816 was marked by the newly-founded community’s development of the understanding of their vocation and how to live it out in response to the needs of Provence. One of the guiding figures for Eugene in this process was Alphonsus de Liguori, who was in the news because of the announcement of his beatification in 1816.
Born in Naples a century before Eugene, some remarkable similarities exist: Alphonsus came from a legal background; at age 27 he changed his life-direction and went to the seminary; as a young priest he dedicated himself to the poor youth of Naples and to being a talented preacher who led many to conversion; at 34 years of age he founded the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer to preach missions in the local language to the poor of the rural villages around Naples; his moral theology was based on the mercy of the Redeemer and he fought against the Jansenist heresy of denying the sacraments to people; in later life he became Bishop of Sant’Agata. It is no wonder that Eugene was naturally drawn to the life and example of this man who had died in 1787, but whose influence continued.
In May Eugene wrote to his father, who was living in Palermo:
I wanted to ask you to see the Missionaries of the Redeemer to beg them to send me their Constitutions and Rules, the office of their holy founder, his life and relics if possible, at least a picture large enough to put in our community room until we can place it in our church. I have studied his works extensively and we have taken him as one of our patrons; we would like to walk in his footsteps and imitate his virtues. Ask for and send me many details about these good Fathers who are his disciples and implore them to pray to the good Lord for us who have a great need for support in the midst of the difficulties and obstacles we are meeting … I have some (of his writings), among others his moral theology which I like very much and have studied in a special way when I had the time to study…
Letter to C.A. de Mazenod, 1 May 1816, O.W. XIII n.3
LJC et MI
Blessings during this Easter Season.
I do hope you all had a blessed Triduum. I was able to be at the Good Friday Service at St. Joseph’s Parish in Ottawa, Canada. The first Oblate Parish in the City, 1856. The church was full even folks in the choir loft!!! The “Passion” was done in mime and had the congregation riveted to each moment which spoke deeply the movement of the heart. And the adoration was both humbling and edifying. The old bent over, the very young in parents or siblings arms, canes/wheel chairs / guiding dogs, from about the world. Tears of awe, wonder and grace. No division here, one body-wounded and from those wounds compassion flowed. Thank you St. Joe’s.
In todays reading I am reminded that St. Eugene was rooted in the Church. He was able to see what touched his heart and nourished the movement of the spirit. He knew/experienced the of Mercy of Good Friday and was able to gain wisdom and insight from St. Alphonsus to support the mission. He knew he/the community could not do it on his/it’s own or with his/their own intellect.
So in the same we we find support/encouragement in St. Eugene; his writings, icon/image, relics as we seek to be faithful to his Charism and the ever evolving Oblate Family.
As we prepare for the 150th Dies Natalis and Novena let us share what we have and what we are planning. One in heart/mind and spirit. Jack, omi