1818: Eugene’s dream of never-ending horizons to preach the Gospel to the whole world:
N.B. And even though, because of their present small number and the more urgent needs of the people around them, they have to limit the scope of their zeal, for the time being, to the poor of our countryside and others, their ambition should, in its holy aspirations, embrace the vast expanse of the whole earth.
1818 Rule
1841: First Oblates sent to evangelise outside of France: to Canada and the British Isles and Ireland
Foreign missions compared to our missions in Europe have a special character of a higher kind, because this is the true apostolate of announcing the Good News to nations which have not yet been called to knowledge of the true God and of his son Jesus Christ…. This is the mission of the apostles: “Go, teach all nations,” this teaching of the truth must penetrate to the most backward nations so that they may be regenerated in the waters of baptism.
You are among those to whom Jesus Christ has addressed these words, giving you your mission as he gave their mission to the apostles who were sent to convert our fathers. From this point of view, which is a true one, there is nothing higher than your ministry and that of our other Fathers who are wearing themselves out in the glacial regions to discover the people whom it is their task to save.
Letter to Fr Ricard, 6 December 1851, E.O. II n157
1861: at the time of Eugene’s death there were 415 Oblates in 4 continents. Today there are around 4000 Oblates in 66 countries
“You are among those to whom Jesus Christ has addressed these words, giving you your mission as he gave their mission to the apostles who were sent to convert our fathers. From this point of view, which is a true one, there is nothing higher than your ministry and that of our other Fathers who are wearing themselves out in the glacial regions to discover the people whom it is their task to save.” Eugene could have been speaking to any one of us. Conversion being an ongoing process of transformation in life with God. It is meant for all of us and so for us to take part somehow in the ongoing conversion of not just ourselves but others – whoa and then wow. God give me what I need for that. And then to trust that indeed God will and does give what is needed even if it be nothing more than to share our faith, to share the great and ever growing love with all we meet. To invite them to walk with us and ask that we might walk with them.
I look though this morning at the great courage and daring it must take to found a congregation, to be the start-up person, the one with the founding vision. And then to be the one(s) to carry that vision and way of living into current times. To trust that God will continue to show the way, to provide the words and the heart to lead. I suppose it can be a position of control and power if one wants to try on that particular cloak. But I see more of a shepherd. I remember the talk that Bishop Wiesner gave us last year, and how each of us is called to be a shepherd and to let ourselves be shepherded.
Indeed Eugene might have been writing not just to Fr. Ricard but to each one of us.
please i would like to have more reading material about Eugene Demezenod