Writing to the young superior of the formation house in Switzerland, Eugene reminds him of the purpose of the stage of formation for the students: let them imbibe our spirit and learn to love the Oblate family:
… What I want is that you should give these young men all your attention. It is a question of giving them a formation, of passing on to them our spirit, of inspiring in them that love of the family without which they will not achieve anything of value. They are new to all that.
You must apply yourself to that task as your first priority and not rely on anyone else to perform it.
Letter to Jean Baptiste Mille, 6 June 1831, EO VIII n 393
Again this morning, words leaping off of the screen – some brighter than others, boldly dancing their way into my heart. “It is a question of giving them a formation, of passing on to them our spirit, of inspiring in them that love of the family without which they will not achieve anything of value.”
Isn’t that why I come here each morning? Here I allow Eugene to speak to me – through his writings and through the words and reflections of others. Then spending time reflecting, savouring, chewing and swallowing it – so that it becomes an intimate part of myself. Here I am led, nourished and inspired with this spirit. And this is but the beginning of my day for it continues as I study, as I meet, talk and pray with others and come to be so often with the other members of this Mazenodian Family. That spirit that began with Eugene andwith those first Oblates, passed down and alive in so many, becoming a part of each of us who are touched with it. Without question, this immense, unmeasurable gift from God bringing me to where I belong and leaving me with a longing to simply share it with others.
I think for the moment of the ‘seeds that are sown’.
Again this morning I reflect on how my cup is overflowing – even as I share with others who I am and what I have, I am replenished. And though I yearn without end for the perfection that Eugene speaks of, I am always full.