IT’S NO SMALL CONSOLATION TO SEE THE LORD DIRECTING OUR MEN’S STEPS LIKE THIS, GIVING THEM HIS ASSISTANCE AND WORKING MIRACLES BY THEIR HOLY MINISTRY

Eugene rejoices at the accomplishments of his family.

My dear Father Guigues. I have, it is true, received a letter from Father Vincens, but it refers me to the information that you were to have given me for details of his mission. I have some information about it, but that does not excuse Father Vincens from making an exact report of everything that happened, beginning with the disappointments of the opening days, etc.
For their first attempt, our two missionaries must be pleased with themselves. What a good account they gave of themselves in that frightful country. It’s no small consolation to see the Lord directing our men’s steps like this, giving them his assistance and working miracles by their holy ministry.
It’s the same everywhere they go. The letters that reach me from the Upper and Lower Alps are full of marvels. Here at Auriol, where four of our men are giving the mission under the direction of Father Guibert, it is like our own times all over again: just think of our two apprentices renewing a countryside like that you described! Never stop thanking God for such signal favours, I forgot to mention what our three poor abandoned missionaries are doing in their turn in Switzerland.

Letter to Bruno Guigues, 17 January 1835, EO VIII n 502

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to IT’S NO SMALL CONSOLATION TO SEE THE LORD DIRECTING OUR MEN’S STEPS LIKE THIS, GIVING THEM HIS ASSISTANCE AND WORKING MIRACLES BY THEIR HOLY MINISTRY

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    Eugene was not able to fulfill all of his ministry as Bishop, as Vicar General of Marseilles at this time; he could only write to his beloved community. I imagine that they were all in some way affected by the government’s restrictions and barriers. And yet I hear gratitude in Eugene’s voice as he leads and directs Bruno Guigues.

    I reread both yesterday’s and today’s postings; there is a wealth contained within both. “Let’s go straight for our objective by the simplicity of our ministry…” from yesterday and now: “It’s no small consolation to see the Lord directing our men’s steps like this, giving them his assistance and working miracles by their holy ministry.” I think quite specifically of the Constitutions and Rules as we have them today – they continue to shed a light on my life that I am not always able to explain.

    Their Rule of Life would hold them (those founding community members) in stead, hold each of them in the place where God invited them to be. They would in some ways have been difficult to always follow; yet Eugene senses God’s leading hand in all of it and is consoled.

    In these days of struggle and challenges (inner and outer) I find myself returning to the Constitutions and Rules – not so much for concrete examples or strictures on how to live, but rather so that I am reminded of what God gives me and thus enables me to take each step – one after another. This Rule of Life given to the Oblates and then shared with other members of the Mazenodian Family, particularly the Oblate Associates and which are the expressions of the Mazenodian charism and way of life are nothing less than the Lord directing our steps, giving us his assistance and working miracles of our everyday lives. And I too find consolation in them.

Leave a Reply

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