The second part of 1823 was a nightmare for Eugene. Not only did his arrival and presence in Marseille lead to friction in certain quarters, but difficulties emerged in Aix en Provence as well.
I will not launch into a chapter of regrets and sorrows, it would be unending…
Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 13 August 1823, EO VI n. 112
Leflon gives some details: Bishop Fortune’s installation upon the see of Marseilles seemed an ideal guarantee for the future of Father de Mazenod’s missionary society since it assured them of an episcopal protection which was absolutely indispensable. However, the very thing that was supposed to save the Society from outside peril came very near destroying it by provoking a crisis inside the little family. The great threat came from where Father de Mazenod least expected to meet it; his collaborators felt, in effect, that their superior was devoting himself far more to the diocese than to themselves when, in reality, the situation was quite different; so much so, that the people of Marseilles were soon to accuse him just as wrongly of sacrificing the interests of the diocese to those of his Missionary Society and of colonizing the diocese to the profit of his religious family. His prolonged sojourn in Paris from February 15 to July 31, 1823 resulted, first of all, in disorientating the poor missionaries who, until then, had been under the spell of his forceful personality and had become accustomed to following his direction implicitly.
In all fairness, he could not be blamed for the late arrival of the Pontifical Bull which delayed Fortune’s consecration until July 6, in spite of the urgent summons the latter had received from the Minister of Cults to come to Paris immediately after his nomination at the end of January. During all that time, the frequency and length of the Founder’s letters should have been proof enough of his constant solicitude and deep paternal affection; postal liaison, however, no matter how regular it may be, never equals personal contact. Then too, good Father Courtes did his best at Aix to substitute for him, but he had neither the dynamism, influence or authoritative manner of the Founder. Even in spite of this, however, the assurance that their Superior-General would rejoin the community as soon as possible induced them to practice patience. Now, when he returned from Paris on August 6, instead of resuming his residence at Aix, he left the city with his uncle and established his domicile at Marseilles where his duties as archdeacon took up much of his time. Tempier, who had likewise been appointed archdeacon, left the motherhouse permanently, and so, an unavoidable wavering ensued.
Leflon II p.242-243
“There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
I continue to be amazed – at the similarities in all of our lives, in our joys and in our sorrows, big and little. It had to have been hard on Eugene, and not just those around him, not just those who loved him and not just those who might have spent time trying to see how they could “catch him”. Did he always just hold his own counsel or did he talk with others [read Henri Tempier]? Eugene was so very open in so many ways that I would be surprised to hear that he never spoke or wrote of it.
But how does this apply to my life. For this daily reflection offered by Frank is not meant to be just a nice time of reading and learning about Eugene [at least not in my mind]. I do read it to learn more about Eugene, but then to translate into my life and how I might live and be. I never cease to be amazed at how it can, especially upon reflection, give me direction and purpose, or inspiration, or reminders. I look and wonder if it is like those horoscopes written in the paper – so general they could apply to anyone and everyone and which many put such great faith in. No it is not like that. I calls me to more.
Today I am in Vancouver to visit with my family and then to give a small session to the Oblates and Associates here on Thursday. I have found it already a simple joy to visit and talk with people here, getting to know some for the first time and others to be able to “catch up”. Later this morning my sister and brother and I will get together for the day. A small thing that is so very huge. Just to be with them.
Eugene with all his love gave living witness to what Martin Luther King wrote about deep love. I would never have thought it possible that I would ever be able to love deeply. It is nothing short of amazing. As I see it and experience in Eugene, the Oblates, Associates, family and friends – then I recognize it in myself and it reflects back, living and growing. I am not a little humbled and grateful for the depth of life served up by our God.
“There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Great Quote. He in the United States we celebrate “Black History Month”. So these words from the modern day prophet Martin are apropos.
As I think of the situation of Eugene and the small community, in hind sight one can ask the question, did not this absence force the community to live / “grow up” on its own in the founders charism? Maybe having father/mother/big brother images hovering over us cause us to rely on them rather than the spirit and creativity with in. Separation, not easy for any of us and sometime very painful is often the only we grow strong wings to fly. And history shows us that the community was in time able to grow and send out men to the four corners of the world.
Hi Jack – not only send out to the 4 corners of the world but alive and strong and vibrant today – perhaps not in the traditional ways that we are used to looking but nevertheless vibrant and alive. I love your response to this.