THE DEATH OF OUR BELOVED BROTHER WAS THAT OF A SAINT

On May 20, Eugene wrote in his diary: 

But what deep sorrow to learn that Fr. Albini is again in danger. I do not know what to think. After the miracle of his first healing, a new imminent danger. What to do? Try a new forceful appeal to the Lord? The soul is oppressed, the heart torn.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 20 May 1839, EO XX

Father Albini had always been considered a living saint.  When his death was announced to Eugene, he noted in his personal diary: 

I should invoke our venerable Fr. Albini rather than pray for him. This is also what I did not fail to do. Nevertheless, this morning I carried out the sacred duty of offering the Holy Sacrifice for him, which I will do again tomorrow and the day after.

…The death of our beloved brother was that of a saint. He is one more blessed to add to the community of the Congregation that is in heaven. Great God, how large it already is and what subjects have been taken from us! Surprisingly, I feel more resigned than I had expected. I have no doubt this is through the intercession of our holy brother. May he also have pity on the country that was his, and that waited for its conversion through his ministry.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 27 May 1839, EO XX

The beatification cause of Venerable Albini is ready and awaiting a miracle through his intercession.
See: https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/albini-charles-dominique/

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1 Response to THE DEATH OF OUR BELOVED BROTHER WAS THAT OF A SAINT

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    Eugene’s soft resignation of the death of Fr. Albini, is in sharp contrast to how he lamented the death of the Duchess of Cannizzaro and also Marius Suzanne. His response to Albini’s death was to ask for prayers from him more than to pray for him. He knew where Albini was and of the celebration that was taking place with the members of congregation who were already in heaven. Eugene in a way was joining in that celebration, in much the same way that a parent feels torn and struggling with their loss when a son or daughter grows up and moves away from them to start their own lives – they grieve the physical loss but celebrate with the joy that their loved one is stepping out on their own adventure. Eugene knows within himself how deeply he was/is loved by his “holy brother”, which gives him the confidence to accept and rejoice where Fr. Albini now rests.

    I think of the times I have spent in some “Oblate” cemeteries – I have gone in and introduced myself to each of them, looking at their names as if meeting them for the first time. It was not so much a matter of praying for them, or to them, but simply ‘being’ there with them for a moment out of time. On leaving them my request for prayers might well have sounded like a soft demand but only because there was a strong sense of knowing that they would indeed pray for me.

    Yesterday I spent a few hours going through all of the papers and documents written about Kay Cronin HOMI – who was the first female Honorary Oblate in the congregation, more importantly though, she was a friend who stood with me in some of my darkest hours. She died back in 1975, but she has walked with me since then.
    I realize as I sit here this morning recognizing how Eugene in his writing affirmed with his heart the goodness and love between Fr. Albini and himself; much as I have done with Kay Cronin, who was in reality my first introduction to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

    Like the young person leaving her father’s home to set up her own, I turn to Jesus who is standing with me; ‘Look Lord where you have brought me to. Let us rejoice and give thanks.’

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