It was natural that Eugene would share his concerns, and the assurances that God had given him, with the Missionary who was the closest to him, Henri Tempier.
What I wished in beginning this letter was to tell you, my dear friend, how touched I was by the sentiments you expressed to me in such an edifying manner in your last letter.
I recognized from the first page the true religious, the honest man, the good heart, my dear Tempier through and through.
I thank the good God unceasingly for having brought us together and I pray him to fill you more and more with his spirit for our greater common good.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 15 August 1822, EO VI n 86
Eugene’s legacy to his Oblates continues today as we read in our Rule:
We will find our support in friendship and in fraternal life, in apostolic commitment to all, in self-denial and in prayer. CC&RR, Constitution 18
Sincere friendship can foster the growth of an apostolic person, enabling one to love others as Jesus loves them. CC&RR, Rule 18b
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer
Today this is a powerful reading for me having just come from Aix. I find myself back there in my mind reliving this trip which began in the Czech Republic, moved to Rome and then on to Aix. Here in London I am simply spending my time in reflection and capturing some of my experiences in writing. I told the members of the Mazenodian family that I met in Aix that God lit the fire(s) in me but that it was Eugene who fanned the flame, Eugene, his Oblates, Associates and all members of the the Mazenodian Family.
I think of the love between Eugene and all of his Oblates, but most particularly Henri Tempier who was his confessor and his friend. I look at my life and know that I could not have done any one part of it alone. And I look around me at all who God has put in my path. Truly I am also filled with gratitude for God having brought us together.
I don’t know if my fire had gone out- but it burns much brighter now and the faces of those who rekindled the flames on this trip are before me as I write. I thank God for each one of them, each one of you. Today, as I remember and think of the gifts that you are and how you have shown me such faces of love, I will thank God for each of you in my writing and reflection on what I have been given.
I have just come from celebrating Thanksgiving with my family, so what an appropriate time for me to read this. This speaks to me. “I thank the good God unceasingly for having brought us together and I pray him to fill you more and more with his spirit for our greater common good.” For this is how I feel about the Oblates who run the Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN, and one in particular. For they all live out the Constitution and Rule cited above completely. As for me, as Albert Schweitzer said “We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Indeed, I sit in great gratitude.