PRAY THAT I MAY PLACE NO OBSTACLE TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GOD’S WILL

In August Eugene traveled to the scholasticate in Billens to check on the progress of the community and its studies.

We were all so happy to see each other again, after a year’s absence, and a conversation (not foreseen by the Rule) got started, almost in spite of myself, by a kind of bewitchment, and went on until after 11 o’clock ….

Still concerned about the future of the Oblates in the hostile climate of France, he was hoping to establish a missionary community in Switzerland.

On the journey I made the acquaintance of a fine fellow from le Valais who might be useful to me if I decide when I am there to do something in his country.
Please ask the holy Capuchin sisters to pray that I for my part may place no obstacle to the accomplishment of God’s will, and that no-one may put obstacles in the path of goodness if that is the direction it is to take, but I always anticipate a lot of problems when a new enterprise in a foreign country is on the agenda.

Letter to Henri Tempier, 19 August 1831, EO VIII n 400

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to PRAY THAT I MAY PLACE NO OBSTACLE TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GOD’S WILL

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    “Please ask the holy Capuchin sisters to pray that I for my part may place no obstacle to the accomplishment of God’s will…” Eugene’s words touch a spot within me that is a little tender. I think of the times that I have gone to the pastor at Church because I needed to let him know how one particular person or another had hurt me, or worked against me, or made it impossible for me to do something or be a certain way. I made an appointment and then spent the intervening time arming myself, preparing a case against the other person. And the day came when I sat down and began to talk and I found myself talking about my problem – with me. Not in the light of the other person, but in the light of myself – it was my own self that I was struggling with, my own weaknesses and points of hurt and fear. Damn! And has that stopped? Of course not.

    Immersed as I am in my learning and coming to know more deeply Eugene and those first Oblates and the many who made and make up this Mazenodian Family, I see the beauty that comes with all of the brokenness and the wholeness in each one of us – it is the both-and it’s not just ‘out there’. Its within me too. It is both humbling and wondrous!

    Perhaps today I shall as God to help each of us so that none of us will place obstacles in the way of any of us accomplishing God’s will.

Leave a Reply

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