1818: Eugene’s dream of never-ending horizons to preach the Gospel to the whole world:
N.B. And even though, because of their present small number and the more urgent needs of the people around them, they have to limit the scope of their zeal, for the time being, to the poor of our countryside and others, their ambition should, in its holy aspirations, embrace the vast expanse of the whole earth.
1818 Rule
1841: First Oblates sent to evangelise outside of France: to Canada and the British Isles and Ireland
Foreign missions compared to our missions in Europe have a special character of a higher kind, because this is the true apostolate of announcing the Good News to nations which have not yet been called to knowledge of the true God and of his son Jesus Christ…. This is the mission of the apostles: “Go, teach all nations,” this teaching of the truth must penetrate to the most backward nations so that they may be regenerated in the waters of baptism.
You are among those to whom Jesus Christ has addressed these words, giving you your mission as he gave their mission to the apostles who were sent to convert our fathers. From this point of view, which is a true one, there is nothing higher than your ministry and that of our other Fathers who are wearing themselves out in the glacial regions to discover the people whom it is their task to save.
Letter to Fr Ricard, 6 December 1851, E.O. II n157
1861: at the time of Eugene’s death there were 415 Oblates in 4 continents. Today there are just under 4000 Oblates in 65 countries
From the very beginning Eugene wanted to be able to preach to all of humanity. It began in France with her poor, those who were untouched by the structures of the Church moving outward from Aix and Marseilles to the country’s furthest regions; then spilling into neighbouring countries on it’s way to the new world, the entire world. There should be no surprise at this – is this not what the first apostles and disciples did?
I recognise the truth of Eugene’s words as he speaks of the missions to my own country – those glacial regions: “…there is nothing higher than your ministry and that of our other Fathers who are wearing themselves out in the glacial regions to discover the people whom it is their task to save”. Within the restraints and freedom of their obediences they travelled further and deeper into a new wilderness trying to leave no stone unturned.
I think about Pope Francis’s new encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” (All Brothers); it was just released and I have begun to read it. Pope Francis is a missionary like St. Eugene as he speaks to the whole world in his letter; it began as a small coal within my heart and now a tiny flame begins to dance…
Eugene who founded the Oblates, who shared his charism – that special gift from God – he shared that at first with a few, the priests and then with all us.
I look today how I, as a member of the Mazenodian Family, am sent – by God, by the Church and as an Oblate Associate – to the world, to my brothers and sisters. It does not stop within the borders of my own parish, my own family, my own friends; no like Eugene, Lacombe and so many others I am called to share my experiences of God at all the crossroads I approach in my life.
In my own words…