THE REASON IS THAT SOULS FEEL THE GOOD THAT HAS BEEN DONE THEM BY THE GREAT MINISTRY THAT HAS BEEN EXERCISED IN THEIR FAVOUR.

Eugene’s journal was where he recorded his personal reflections at the end of each day. His private entries give us an insight into who he really was. Today it is the founder and father-figure of the missionary family who rejoices in the success of two Oblate moments of evangelization.

Arrival on the one hand of Father Cuynat coming back from Arles where he preached the Forty Hours after the Fontvieille mission, and on the other hand of Father Hermitte and his companion coming back from Entraigues. One would have to hear the account these men give of what transpired in their missions! It brings tears of joy and tenderness.
The triumph of that cross that is so insulted in our days, the transports of gratitude from entire populations, first to God whom they glorify in the presence of all the inhabitants of the region, and then to the ministers of the mercy of their Saviour from whom they can never again be separated. It is a repetition of what we saw in our time and always with a fresh surprise.
Is it not a miracle that grace should form in a matter of weeks such strong bonds between people who have never seen each other before and who in all probability will not see each other again. The reason is that souls feel the good that has been done them by the great ministry that has been exercised in their favour.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 9 February 1837, EO XVIII

For 21 years the missionaries had been preaching the Gospel to the most abandoned of southern France, and the fruits were obvious. Today, over two hundred years later, people continue to feel the good brought about by the great ministry of the Mazenodian Family.

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1 Response to THE REASON IS THAT SOULS FEEL THE GOOD THAT HAS BEEN DONE THEM BY THE GREAT MINISTRY THAT HAS BEEN EXERCISED IN THEIR FAVOUR.

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I have never had the joy of being a part of a mission – or at least anything that was called a mission and yet sitting here with Eugene this morning I recognize the miracle of grace that he speaks of. Forty years ago I took part in what was called a “Choice” Weekend – a back-to-the-church weekend for single adults – a weekend of birth and renewal. It was over the space of a long weekend and accompanied by a Franciscan priest during the sacrament of Reconciliation I heard Jesus say my name: “Eleanor – I love you, I have called you by name and you are mine”.

    The next day I was invited to receive the Eucharist and so my new life in God began. I have never forgotten that weekend, or the people who were there with me. I will never forget Fr. Paul, a Franciscan who journeyed with me, and the team members who were there also to walk with me. I later became a team member and joined them in helping others in their journeys. My first steps in being sent. I sit and look at their faces and the faces which my heart has carried since that time – what grace and communion we have shared with each other – never to be lost or forgotten.

    And while my own journey started at birth, it has carried me through the barren and darkened lands into the light of a life lush with love. Steps in a journey which led me to meet the Oblates who then introduced me to Eugene; and indeed Eugene himself who invited me to share his spirit as I was introduced to this Mazenodian Family and their mission and ministry.

    Just as we have been led we are called to “lead [others] to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians, and, finally, we must help them to become saints.”

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