The visit of Eugene and Fortuné to Paris and Rheims for the coronation of the king was prolonged for family reasons. The twelve-year old Caroline de Boisgelin, second daughter of Eugene’s sister Ninette, was at boarding school in Paris and was dangerously ill with tuberculosis. To be close to her and her mother, they stayed at the convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart.
The letters written around this event show us the attachment of Eugene to his family and the dominant role that he had in the Boisgelin family.
Dear mother, you know that I have always regarded my sister’s children as if they were my own children, and that I consider myself their second father. I will indeed treat them as a father, on condition that they be honest and virtuous.
Letter to his mother, 2 January 1824, General Archives Rome, AGR MJ I-1
His brother-in-law, Armand de Boisgelin, was a good man but seemed indecisive and did not have a good head for business. Eugene’s mother, and Eugene himself, often stepped in to make decisions regarding the children and their upbringing – even paying for their education. (cf. the article “Boisgelin, Armand Natal De and Family” in the Oblate Historical Dictionary: http://www.omiworld.org/dictionary.asp?v=5&vol=1&let=B&ID=604 )
I do not share the opinion of Armand on the illness of Caroline. I believe that she is in a very serious state.
Letter to his mother, 4 February 1825, General Archives Rome, AGR MJ I-1
On arriving in Paris, Eugene’s worst fears were confirmed. His niece was critically ill, and so he wrote to the community in Aix asking them to begin a novena to Blessed Alphonsus Liguori to ask for the miracle of her healing:
… While nonetheless resigned to the will of God, we could try and invoke the Saint whom we have called upon so often on behalf of others. I beg you then to begin a novena to Blessed Alphonse Marie de Liguori on Trinity Sunday. You must display in the house the relic of the Saint and see to it that the litanies of the Blessed and the prayer to be said with fervor and confidence by all our Fathers and Brothers. Propose a communion at the beginning and one at the end of the novena. We here will unite ourselves to these prayers and if it be part of the designs of God that his Servant be canonized, our little one will be cured.
Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 21 May 1825 EO VI n 177
“Every generation must stand on the shoulders of the previous generation and reach higher.” Augustine
I enjoyed reading this today and going to omiworld to learn a little more about Eugene and his extended family. The words that come to mind are: “A Heart As Big As The World”. Eugene loved everyone with all that he had, not saving that love only for his sons, his Oblates, or just for the poor who came to his missions, but for all. He made that statement about loving them, treating them as if they were his own children.
Franks reflection this morning has invited me to look at who I love in my life, in my own family and my extended family. I move that out from family to friends, to all in my parish, to our leaders, both in the government, and in our church. And also to how I love them. I cannot be exclusive in who or how I love. It’s not a whole lot ‘here’ and just a little bit over there with another person(s).
I look at how I have been and am loved. That is how I am called to love.