Art 79. There are four zealots…
The four people who exercised the function of “zealots” were an important vehicle used by Eugene to communicate and train other in his spirit. He stated that
Art 81. The office of the zealots is one of the most important in the Congregation.
and he devoted 32 articles of the Statutes to them in one section, and often referred to their duties in other sections.
On them hinged the responsibility for the spirit within the Congregation:
Art 82. On the way in which the zealots perform the duty of their office will depend the regularity, precision, and fervor of the whole Congregation; in the same way, they are responsible for all disorders and all the abuses that could be introduced.
He described their activities of training others during the days when the Congregation gathered.
Art 99. In these meetings, they will focus especially to inspire in all the members of the congregation a great love for God, an inviolable affection and esteem for the Congregation, an unfailing fraternal charity for all the members of the Congregation, much loyalty to the observance of the rules, a humble and submissive obedience to comply with what may be asked by the rule or by those who are in authority to ask.
Eugene continues:
Art 104. Their name sufficiently describes how much they must apply themselves so as to procure the glory of God and the zeal of the congregants.
Statuts, Chapitre XI § 5 – Des zélateurs
Their zeal was not to limit itself within the Congregation, but they were also entrusted with propagating their ideals and to finding new members. Eugene’s zealots were thus to be apostolic persons among the youth, mirroring the role of the apostles who trained disciples in the early Church.
As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do. ~Andrew Carnegie
How time passes and our understanding of words changes! With the definition in my own mind initially of “fanatic”, I read the first line as the Office of zealots was to “look out” for fanaticism brewing…. And yet, I had to remind myself that this past summer a vacation bible school’s theme was “zeal for souls”. This also made me think of our current classes for confirmation preparation, where the candidates seem so hesitant, or perhaps better said “reluctant” to express interest, let alone “zeal”. It is so NOT cool. I was just dealing with materials for a meeting of the candidates’ class and their parents speaking about appreticeship in our faith as followers of Jesus. The comparison of an apprentice to a mentor in comparison to candidate and sponsor seemed to go over well.
And yet, a peer (rather than adult many years their senior, no matter how energetic – or mildly insane from the point of view of the candidate) can bring about at least interest, or the idea that one CAN be interested, and that in turn can bloom. Unfortunately our potential zealot peer group moves on to university elsewhere, and potential “souls” dry out for lack of “acceptable” zealous nutrients.
My apologies for rambling.
Am a little like Anda amd find myself “reacting” to the work “zealot”. It all sounds a little fanatical to me – I can much more easily deal with “peer counseling” and things along those lines. Yet when I connect it with the word “zeal” – that I can relate to! I find that in many ways though (a little less zealously) I try to be like them in my leadership role with the Oblates and Associates.
Unlike Eugene, who was apparently and incredible preacher among other things, I truly believe in the setting the tone by example. I really believe in that song “they’ll know we are Christians by our love…..”, by how we live. I find much of how Eugene lived that sets the tone for me.