By the end of 1822 there were 12 Missionary priests fully occupied in preaching parish missions as well as running the permanent mission of the house of Aix, the Marian shrine at Laus, and the pilgrimage center dedicated to Christ the savior in Marseille – together with many other works connected with these places, like youth, prison and sacramental ministry etc.
The demands made on the Missionaries were many, and so it was important that the young men in formation be given an adequate and solid preparation. Writing to Jacques Marcou, Eugene highlights some of these qualities. Marcou had been one of the first members of the Youth Congregation in Aix from 1813, so Eugene knew him well and had played a significant role in his human and spiritual development.
Aix, July 24, for it is half past midnight. I have started rather too late, my dear Marcou, to write you today so I will content myself with giving you this mark of my remembrance. I know that you are well and I do not doubt that you are also conducting yourself quite well.
Work hard to advance yourself and to perfect yourself in all virtues.
You know what is needed to do good; I see that in a short while you will be going into the battle. So prepare your weapons.
Adieu, my dear child, I recommend also that you work at your studies, without letting the difficulties that you meet block your progress along this fine road.
Live in the most perfect unity and in the exact observance of our holy Rules.
Adieu, I embrace you with all my heart. Pray for me.
Letter to Jacques Marcou, 24 July 1822, EO VI n. 85
Eugene’s wishes continue to be expressed today in our Rule of Life:
The purpose of initial formation is to develop gradually those whom Jesus calls to total discipleship in the Congregation, until they are mature religious, capable of carrying on the Oblate mission. This requires an assimilation in faith of all the dimensions of our vocation, especially of Gospel poverty, celibate love and availability for missionary service.
CC&RR, Constitution 50
“The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.” John Dewey
What an incredibly tender letter Eugene has written to Jacques Marcou. It is this very tenderness, this incredibley embracing love that first attracted me to Eugene. It is what first stopped me and begged me to listen and learn and follow. I hear it in my heart as being spoken to a daughter. Eugene may have written it almost 200 years ago, but it holds true and lives today. Again, as I have seen before, I see this incredible love of Eugene which reflects so very much the love of the Father, of God. Those hearts afire all connected and one. So incredibly powerful that I will return to this page several times over the next few days, for here I am offered a tiny reminder, somthing to hold on to.
“….something in continuous formation through choice of action. John Dewey” An ‘aha’ moment here. It speaks of relationship, giving and receiving. There is nothing passive here, it is something alive. Our very actions, our very response to God’s love forms us. How very perfect. I am filled with gratitude, yet again, as always. I look at how I continue to become more fully alive each day, this gift coming from being a part of this great family, this gift of being given a way of life. I can only marvel at what God has given to me. Again my heart is sings “my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour…”