Father Courtès, had been confessor to a convent of religious sisters and the pupils of a school. At Eugene’s request, he had stopped this ministry which Eugene did not see as being part of our charism.
Now that you have freed yourself from your convent. I want to use you for works more in keeping with our vocation. I know you are tireless when it is a question of preaching God’s Word and that you acquit yourself worthily in that great ministry.
Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 22 September 1836, EO VIII n 588
We had been founded to be missionaries and preachers to those most in need of hearing the Word of God. Today as we evaluate our ministries, we need to ask the same questions.
We don’t necessarily think of ongoing evaluation of our ministries, asking if this is who God has called us to be. Especially if we have gained some familiarity, popularity or comfort where we sit. The question of “is this where God wishes for me to be” is not an easy one.
I think for a moment of Mary, our model of oblation. She did not initiate anything on her own, but rather ‘listened’ to how the Spirit spoke to her; through an angel, through her husband, through her son and then sons and daughters…
I think for a moment that it is not all about the ministries but first and foremost ‘the mission’. The mission has not changed. But the ministries – yes they change. There will always be good ministry work for me to take part in, but which one(s) Lord are you leading me to? I must ask the question of you God, as a member of the Mazenodian Family, as an Oblate Associate where you would have me be and what you would have me do.
Whether we are young or old, popular or unknown and unseen. Lord you have put within my heart the image of being a light to my neighbour’s feet. Help me to determine what that will look like and where you would have me stand.