YOU UNDERSTAND YOU CANNOT ACCEPT EVERY OFFER, THERE MUST BE MODERATION IN EVERYTHING

Fr Toussaint Dassy was recovering from a serious illness at Notre Dame de l’Osier and as his strength was restored he became increasingly more involved in the pastoral demands of the area. So successful was he that he was able to persuade the Bishop to give the administration of the shrine and parish to the Oblates.

Eugene worried about this young talented and enthusiastic priest losing focus and burning out. He reminds him to be faithful to the Rule as his compass:

In the meantime I’m relying on you not to lose the spirit of your Rule. Make your manner of observing it the matter of your daily examen, otherwise you are going to feel the strain of your isolation, and the ministry that you are now doing out of zeal is going to become your means of escape.
Don’t take on too much work, you understand you cannot accept every offer, there must be moderation in everything.

Letter to Fr. Toussaint Dassy, 25 April 1834, EO VIII n 479

 

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2 Responses to YOU UNDERSTAND YOU CANNOT ACCEPT EVERY OFFER, THERE MUST BE MODERATION IN EVERYTHING

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    Small flashes of light and understanding. Eugene is sharing his wisdom which has come in part as gift but also in part from recognizing within Fr. Dassy something of himself.

    I think of Eugene and how he came to the realization that he could not do everything himself – as he visited the prisoners and worked with the youth. Here we have him writing to Fr. Dassy, knowing of what he speaks. I look at how his gentle admonitions speak clearly to myself. Even when I am at my weakest and clearly unable to ‘do’, I may try to escape by offering to do more. It is only now that I am learning to say ‘no’ – not just to others but to myself.

    For some reason my thoughts turn to the manna that was used by the Israelites as they passed through the desert. It was food for them, to help keep them alive – and my understanding that it did not taste all that good and sweet as they nourished themselves at day’s beginnings.

    Our Rule of Life –vital and essential for a healthy life. I think of how the 12 Steps of AA brought me to his place so that I might then be able to live with and be faithful to the Constitutions and Rules as they apply to me. The steps are like the banquet tray that holds the actual feast of life. One cannot do without both.

  2. Jack Lau, omi says:

    A powerful reminder to the Oblate family as we enter into busiest of church seasons.

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