THE MISSIONARY: IN THE UNFOLDING WILL OF GOD

 In this important document to of 25 January 1816 that we have been reflecting on, we see the seeds of all the major areas of growth that Eugene was to nurture till his last day of life, and which still continue to bear rich fruit 150 years after his death. It was in an attitude of generous openness to discerning the will of God that Eugene guided the nascent Society of Missionaries step-by-step.

 Jacques Jeancard, a close lifetime collaborator, wrote that when Eugene founded us he:

 was far from knowing the whole extent of his mission. By no means did he draw up a vast plan a priori, complete in all its parts. That plan of which he was the craftsman was not of merely human conception; it was inspired in him and, in a way, revealed to him progressively as circumstances opened up new horizons to his zeal.
The Lord who was guiding him allowed him to see only what had to be done in the immediate situation and He rewarded his fervent love for the Church and his zeal for souls by allowing him to see the exact distance he had to cover in each new advance toward the completion of the work which devolved upon him.
Thus he advanced under the impulse and direction of Divine Providence, along the path which was unknown, or practically unknown, to him in the beginning, and by which he was ultimately to reach his destination willed from on High.19

Melanges historiques sur la Congregation des Oblats de Marie Immaculee
(Tours, 1872), pp. 70-71.

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2 Responses to THE MISSIONARY: IN THE UNFOLDING WILL OF GOD

  1. LJC et MI
    How apropos for this morning. Last night after the grand celebration for the Jubilariens and the Blessings/Baptism of the Icon of St. Eugene, by Arch Bishop Peter Sutton, OMI here at Galilee Centre, Lacombe Province Canada, 18 people gathered for the Foundational Gathering of Oblate Associates. Those who gathered; some Associates from Ottawa, a few Oblates and the rest were local women and men from the community who have grown to love the Founder and carry with in them the call to mission. As we gathered we did so in a prayer that guided us along our path. After each person introduced themselves; what brought them here and their hopes and dreams, we spoke of the nature and the ongoing evolution of Oblate Associates. Then we watch a video about Vincenzo, OMI in Korea as a way to always remember that though we are a local community we are also international. We ended the evening with intercessory prayer and the Salve Regina.
    An amazing evening and much like St. Eugene our Father, we to “advanced under the impulse and direction of Divine Providence,”.
    I hope that very soon the congregation will all get to know intimately the Icon of St. Eugene.

  2. Eleanor Rabnett says:

    LJC et MI Have just come from an Oblate Retreat which was so incredibly hard and yet beautiful. Feels like I was gone for a year instead of just under a week. One step at a time – and no matter how much I want to skip some of those steps I cannot. I thank God for that. But is is not easy. I hear him call my name and find that all I can do is say yes – that seems to be all that I am capable of at this moment. Quite literally – all I can do is cry “yes” and beg Him to bring me to where He will have me be. To let go of all else, especially control – so hard and yet I must. So I say yes and peer into the unknown I move with small shakey steps. I cannot turn away – I can only follow His call, His voice. I feel that He is scraping my heart clean as only He can. St. Eugene pray for me, help me with the trust you surly lived.

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