HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SEVEN WHO MADE UP THE YOUTH CONGREGATION WHICH THE LORD INSPIRED ME TO FOUND

Following Jacques Marcou’s death, Eugene had written: “I weep for a brother so precious to our Society.” Twelve years later, in his diary, Eugene recalled the death and the meaning of the young man’s life for him.

August 20: Mass for our ever beloved Fr. Marcou who died in St-Just on this same day.1 wish I had time to recall the virtues of this excellent priest, but I must hurry. He was one of the first seven who made up the youth congregation which the Lord inspired me to found in Aix in 1813. His ardent zeal which was evident at the time of his first communion made me choose him as the leader of that first special group. He never let me down and he constantly gave the example of scrupulous fidelity to the regulations which I had given to the congregation in which he was responsible to see that they were observed by the other members. As the membership of the youth-movement increased he continued in his watchfulness as leader and his spiritual zeal spread among his companions a great love for the congregation in which they learned to be virtuous.

Diary of 20 August 1838, E.O. XIX

“I did nothing to deserve God’s love; in fact, I was living as an orphan, without hope. Yet God chose to pursue a relationship with me, and through the death of his son Jesus, I was adopted into God’s family.”   Steven Curtis Chapman

This entry was posted in DIARY and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SEVEN WHO MADE UP THE YOUTH CONGREGATION WHICH THE LORD INSPIRED ME TO FOUND

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I wonder how I shall be remembered when I die, who will remember me and if any will speak with the kind of love and kindness that Eugene writes of Jacques Marcou. For it is evident that Eugene remembered him dearly and with much tenderness. These past few days of reflecting on Marcou’s death have given me pause to reflect on why I am here and how I live as I do. Even why I come here to this place as I do each day and allow myself to open and be inspired and challenged, to look at myself, who I am both inside and out. How am I connected to Eugene and these early Oblates.

    I happen to look up at the calendar and focus on a quote from St. Eugene – “The good Lord uses all kinds of instruments.” For sure God uses Eugene and Frank and this place, just as he used Fr. Marcou and all of the other Oblates, those who have come before us and those with us now. Steven Chapman God has used with his music and his quotes – all of them I relate to somehow in the writings and the music, in how they inspire. At this moment I am struggling a little with all of it, the being and the doing. The path walked this morning has brought me to a question only partially answered – am I doing, hoping that out of that will come the being? I must remember and take solace that I am more than just the doubts and questions, struggles and imperfections. As I start to move into another day O God, will you use me as an instrument of your love.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *