NOTHING ON EARTH IS WORTH BEING PREVENTED FROM BEING WITH SUCH GOOD BROTHERS AS YOURSELVES

Eugene’s time in Paris turned out to be longer than he had expected. The government was not giving the Missionaries the desired approbation, so he was forced to pursue other means of ensuring the survival of the group. His absence from his community in Aix made him realize more forcefully how much a part of his being the community had become.

My very dear friend and brother,
If my letters give you as much pleasure as that which I experience on receiving your letters, I imagine that you wish to receive them oftener. As for myself, I would wish to have such happiness every day.
I am unhappy when separated from you and long for my return. Nothing on earth is worth being kept from dwelling pleasantly in our holy house with such good brothers as yourselves. Never have I appreciated so much “How good, how agreeable it is for brothers to dwell together” [ed Psalm 132]

As he compares the spirit of his community with some other communities, he realises how powerful the gift of the family spirit within the Missionaries is. This was largely due to Eugene himself and his qualities of being able to be close to and affectionate with people. Despite all their weaknesses and human failings, there was a solid foundation.

This strikes me all the more in that I see with my own eyes that it is not given to all communities to taste this happiness, harder to find than one thinks in this world below. Let us pray God to preserve for us this precious blessing that men cannot snatch from us except by our own fault…

Letter to Henri Tempier, 12 August 1817, O.W. VI n.20

Until practically his last breath, Eugene insisted on the Oblates living this ideal of family life among themselves – but always as the basis for mission. Oblate mission was to invite those who were the most abandoned to live the same model around the presence of Jesus the Saviour.

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