The last years of Father Pierre Mie’s life were spent in teaching seminarians and ministering to the poor on the streets. At his death, Eugene had written:
Like myself, you too will feel the great loss we incur in the person of this blessed man whose presence among us here on the earth was a constant source of edification.
Letter to Jean Baptiste Mille, 11 March 1841, EO IX n 726
Jeancard described his ministry:
Fr. Mye saw with sorrow that most of the poor beggars were spiritually abandoned. He began by going among them at the door of the church, instructing them and showing them the true value of charity. This catechism and these daily conversations at the church door were something touching. They were not without fruit; he listened to these poor and impoverished people in confession, he urged them to bring others to him, and he became the spiritual director of the beggars. He taught them more and more to sanctify their state of misery, a state often dangerous for them because of the freedom left to them by this idle and crude life in the darkest depths of society. He did a lot of good to these poor people removing them from their ignorance, and often from their vices.
“Notice sur le révérend père Mie”, in Missions, 5 (1866), p 463
“…this blessed man whose presence among us here on earth…” That is how we become as we age and passion and energy seems to be only within us. We learn how to become a presence with those we most love. I think of the image of an elderly couple – sitting on the porch and watching as life seemingly speeds up as it passes them by. Words are no longer necessary as they sit together, being present to each other in a way that is only possible with a long life together.
“…he became the spiritual director of the beggars.” I think of Eugene’s Lenten Homily in the Church of the Madeleine and then of Fr. Mie meeting the beggars at the door; spending time with them there, where they lived – a doorway in their lives. I am suddenly reminded of another Oblate who I knew and came to love dearly. Once a week he would go to say Mass and “be” at the Shepherds of Good Hope – a presence among the staff and some of the people who came through their doors for a meal, looking for a place to stay overnight. My friend did speak of it often – it had become a part of who he was I suppose. I hope my friend Paul has had a chance to meet up with Pierre Mie; they were both models of charity.
I am reminded of my friend, Kaye Cronin HOMI who died 45 years ago and how she is more present to me now that she was back then.
I seem to spend more time with my old friends – some of them are new to me.
This Mazenodian Family is not just for the living. Do we dare to be in communion with those who have gone before us? Do we dare to be present to and with each other?