Still reflecting on the award received by Eugene, there are two aspects which gave him joy.
But I see some hope of it being useful to the Society. What pleases me, you see, is that the King indicates precisely the reason why I have done good to his subjects, that is, by missions.
He could have stated others which would not have been of any use to me or at least which I could not have called upon in the event of some future plans we might have.
Letter to Marius Suzanne, 7 March 1827, EO VII n 264
The first was connected with the acknowledgement of the good work being done by the Oblate missions, and the hope that this award would open the door to a missionary foundation in Piedmont. The second came from a letter in this regard from Louis de Collegno, a lifelong friend of Eugene’s since their school days in the College of Nobles in Turin. He refers to Saint Lazarus, traditionally believed to have been the friend of Jesus in the Gospel, and the first bishop of Marseille. The “See of Lazarus” was one of the reasons why Eugene was to fight so hard in the future to prevente the suppression of this diocese by the French government. Rey explains:
“This is the same point of view, these are the same sentiments expressed by a friend of the Founder, Count Louis of Collegno who wrote to him from Turin on March 30, 1827: ‘My pleasure was great in learning the new link established between us by your being incorporated into the religious and military order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus; these two saints now become our common protectors, one brought the faith to Provence, the other brought it to Piedmont with his army before going to Valais. So we mutually, you and I, have the same obligations to these two saints; please help me in my duties of gratitude to one, as I will do my best to you for the other.
I strongly desire, I do not give up hope, that your aim to let us participate in the good you do in France can be realized here one day. It lacks even that accompanies the ordinary for the works of God, seeds of opposition that could now provide less favorable in some provisions too prone to startle what from abroad, even if it is for good. As you look great, the choices we make to fill the seat of Chambéry will contribute a lot…’
In the same letter M. Collegno speaks of the office that the knights of Saints Maurice and Lazarus are required to recite each day: This recitation is mandatory for those who have made vows and profession. The office is of very ancient date provided valuable evidence for the martyrdom of St. Lazarus the first Bishop of Marseilles.
We will soon see the new knight using his title to try to establish an Oblate house in Chambery; but he will not succeed, because the King of Sardinia authorized another Congregation bearing the name of Oblates of Mary to do so.” (Rey I p.264 – 265)
“Your connections to all the things around you literally define who you are.” Aaron D. O’Connell
I guess that Aaron O’Connell was speaking as a scientist with an understanding of the universe that I doubt ever to be able to understand. However coming here this morning and reading about Eugene’s connections I think of many of the people in my life, past and present, who I have connected with on some level. Connected through love for the most part, a touching, connecting of our beings at the deepest level, through and with God. Again the image of hearts of fire connecting and touching and all a part of something much greater than can be seen in one single image or instant, but which is more of a forever flowing through. Connections hidden and yet more fundamental than the very air we breathe. How wonderful and awesome to be a part of so much else.
So hard to wrap words around and give life to. Yesterday evening I walked in the early darkness on my way to meet a friend for dinner. It was pleasantly cool and there was a wind scattering all of the leaves that had fallen. I remember thinking that I loved the feel of just being there embraced by the darkness and feeling the wind, hearing the leaves as they touched each other and then skittered across the pavement. I thought briefly that it felt so good and right to be a part of that moment, right where I was – experiencing a calm and contentment, and there was for an instant a sense of oneness with the autumn. There was such a grace to it that I had to thank God for that moment in time even as I continued on my way.
I am not sure how that defines me, but I know that it does just as much as my connections with people define me. Again a sense of wonder and awe at our God who is the beginning and the end of all of this. And as I leave here I find my heart singing “How great thou art”.