The argument about the validity of vows apart, the toll of this conflict was heavy on Eugene and on the Oblates. Their very existence was being threatened by the Bishops wanting their priests to leave the Missionaries and return to their dioceses of origin. The morale of all was shaken. Eugene gathered the whole community at Aix for the annual retreat and at the end performed a dramatic gesture. Customs and religious expressions have changed in the 200 years since this event occurred. Every Friday night it was the custom of the religious to “take the discipline” –i.e. during the recitation of Psalm 50, each one would physically mortify himself by whipping himself in the privacy of his room. In this case, Eugene made this a public act for himself in the presence of the community.
Eugene combined this with the idea of the ceremony of expiation of sins done on each parish mission by the superior of the Missionaries [see above the entries of 31 January to 3 February 2011]. On the missions, the superior preached about Jesus taking on himself the sins of all, and then invited the people to place their sins on his shoulders as a symbolic reminder of the mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation of Jesus. In this case Eugene took upon himself the division and hurt caused by the situation they were living. Leflon narrates:
To make his arguments fully effective by discussing them personally with his missionaries, the Founder waited until after the October retreat at Aix had ended. He then went to the mother- house and ordered a day of strict fast on bread and water for the first Friday in November. In the evening, with the community assembled together in the oratory and after delivering a stirring conference dealing with the perils which were threatening the Society “born of my heart,” he offered himself as he had often done during the missions, as a “victim of appeasement to the anger of God”; then, after ordering all the lights to be extinguished, he scourged himself to the extent of blood, drawing tears and sobs from all the members. This scene, reminiscent of the most stirring incidents to be found in the lives of the holy founders of religious orders, re-strengthened any vocations that had been weakened by the defections of a few older members. Everyone felt a resurgence of affection for him, and to console him for the betrayal of his false brethren, they promised him their unbounded devotion. Fervor would make up for their lack of numbers.
Leflon II p. 248-249
In previous entries we have seen how the novice Guibert had gone through periodic vocational crises. Commenting on the incident described above, his biographer states: This extraordinary scene produced on Brother Guibert a profound impression. “All his
hesitations ceased for ever.” PAGUELLE DE FOLLENAY (I, 89)
“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” Jesse Owens
This is jam-packed full. I have read it a couple of times now, the first time causing a reaction and the 2nd a response. On first reading it I thought first of all of Eugene and what a master he was – and the word “manipulation” did cross my mind while at the same time feeling a stirring within myself to somehow take something on. He was sooooo good at what he did. I could not though walk away and leave it at that! So I went back and read the entries from 2011, and returned to this writing. I hesitate to judge Eugene, in fact I cannot. Would I be inclined to something similar, perhaps less spectacular, but nevertheless something similar? Yeh I probably would.
So then back to his mortification in front of his community – all be it in the dark, but still in front of them. I can choose if I like to put this down as manipulation and theatre, and who knows maybe there is some of that in there. I refuse to dwell on that though and let it overshadow all else. I refuse to dwell on the psychology of his actions and analysis of them.
Instead I look at Eugene and his overwhelming love of those around him, his love of his church and his all for God. I have the sneaking feeling that he was not blind as to why the bishop and some were acting as they did – he did not approve it but he might have known the pain and brokenness behind those actions. And he knew instinctively that to say much to them would not change a thing – for they were blinded in a way to what they were doing and perhaps why. I am thinking of the pharisees in today’s gospel by Mark. At the same time he did not want any more of his community to leave, he wanted to give them something that they could focus and hang on to, something to inspire them perhaps.
In so many ways things have not changed, in 2000 years, in 200 years. It is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. What was Eugene trying to prove by mortifying himself thus? What was he taking on upon himself in doing what he did? [I cannot just wipe it away as a gesture of showmanship or manipulation.] What does this mean to me in my life? What does this say to me?
Certainly not self flagellation, of beating or cutting myself or anything physical like that. I simply do not have the courage or inclination for that. But the thought [not just an idle thought but more of a desire, the start of an way of being] came to me that I can ask God to take their woundedness [those around me who are struggling and hurting and who in their pain are causing others to struggle and hurt – and I do excuse myself from this group either], ask God to take their woundedness and to let me carry it for them, for those I love. Of course I will have to give it all to God because that is really all that I am capable of , but nevertheless to love in this way. Not a grand gesture at all and one that if I try I can probably talk myself out of with very little effort. Will it make any difference? I don’t know and probably never will know. Is it good “theology”? Again, I don’t know and most likely never will know. But I do love my family, my community, and wider.
So it lacks the grandness of Eugene, it lacks the surety of any kind of a response from all concerned. God will make of it, take of it what God wants. I can only trust in that. God will need to remind me, for I slip back all the time. I look back on my life for one small moment and wonder who has prayed thus for me? It is the least that I can do for those who God has given me to love.
Wow, I am blown away by this scene, perhaps even haunted. Another time and era indeed, this self flagellation by Eugene is shocking to me and seems cultish or manipulative by our standards today as Eleanor hints at.
It worked! That is the other side of this. Sometimes dramatic gestures are needed to get everyone’s attention. And it is the Grace of God working through Eugene in a wondrous way.
This is a side of Eugene I did not expect to see. The is a side of God I did not expect to see.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have Mercy on me, a sinner.
Interesting Dave – your comment about this being a side of God that you did not expect to see. Can’t say as I saw it that way at all. But then God works through us all, I think especially when we are our must human.