In the hope of being able to establish the Oblates in the Kingdom of Sardinia, Eugene continued to present their mission and spirit:
I am thus disposed, Reverend Father, if His Majesty so wishes, to place at his disposition all the members of our Congregation that he deems useful for his service and that of his people in Sardinia, as well as in any other portion of his states, whether to assist in their conversion by the conducting of holy missions, or by regular instruction and hearing confessions in the residences that His Majesty will designate as our living quarters, or finally by working diligently under the guidance of Our Lords the Bishops in the formation of clerics in seminaries [of those dioceses] which have one.
Already several years of experience in several regions is a sure sign for me of the blessings that the Lord will shower on the zealous efforts of these evangelical laborers. I would need to write volumes were I to report the marvels that God has worked through their ministry, especially since the Sovereign Pontiff has solemnly approved their Institute and placed this family among the Congregations recognized by God’s Church.
Letter to Fr. A Grassi SJ, 11 December 1830, EO XIII, n 76.
How many more volumes can be written about the past 200 years – and about the marvels being worked at this moment by the members of the Mazenodian Family. Let us pause to think of some, and to give thanks
It always surprises me at how relevant is Eugene’s life and the charism that he has share with us. I have had the privilege of helping to prepare an updated book Necrology for our Province (which is made up of many former Provinces since 1841). I have read through volumes and that is just reading the records of the men, where they were born, their Obediences and where and when they died). These were the men who helped open up our country, who started schools and hospitals, who gave their lives – all to love and share the Good News. They gave everything and it is impossible to give numbers of the marvels that were worked. And as I went through their meager records I made the meeting of each one a small personal act of celebration and thanksgiving. I asked each of them to pray for me. And this was just those in this one country and did not include the growing number of members of this Mazenodian Family. Even if I were to try to count the number of those who have affected my own life and the marvels that have been worked in my life, the list would be too long to write.
It is the last morning of our retreat and in a few hours we will all be heading home, tired but full, with hearts whose fires have been rekindled and renewed – ready to step out into the world. I wonder what it will look like and how I will be able to share all that I have received. The immensity of it is impossible to fathom or grasp in one moment, for every single person here at this retreat has somehow been and is a part in this transformation that God has brought about in me. I am unable to put into words all that has happened in my heart and I can only sit this morning with tears that must most surely be those of healing and gratitude. They are not sobs but simply my heart releasing what it has been holding onto for so long – words alone are not able to express my joy, my deepening peace and the immense gratitude that fills me.