INTERDEPENDENT IN OUR LIVES

From Marseille Eugene kept in contact with all the Oblates in Aix and in Laus, and showed interest in the life and spirit of each community and its members. The only way to communicate regularly was by writing letters. Because of this he developed the custom of spending the days around the first Friday of every month with the community in Aix.

I order you very expressly to ask permission not to fast this Lent and to consult Dr. d’Astros so that he can confirm this decision. If there is anyone else in the house, as for example Father Sumien, who also can no longer fast, you will have them eat at a different table. Adieu.
The elections prevent me from being at Aix for the first Friday of the month.

Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 1 March 1824, EO VI n 131

A few days later, he excused himself for having missed this important moment with the community:

I am writing a word to show my regret that I have not been able this month to keep the rendezvous of the first Friday

Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 10 March 1824, in YENVEUX, IV, 122.

 

Obedience and charity bind us together…, keeping us interdependent in our lives, and missionary activity, even when, dispersed for the sake of the Gospel, we can benefit only occasionally from life in common. Each community, whether a house or a district, will adopt a program of life and prayer best suited to its purpose and apostolate.”      OMI CC&RR Constitution 38

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1 Response to INTERDEPENDENT IN OUR LIVES

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I truly love this today. I find the beginnings of the ‘clusters’ or the BOCs (Basic Oblate Community) as we call them here. They are reserved times, special, they are vital and life-giving. I look at Eugene’s words “I am writing a word to show my regret…” and that word ‘regret’ seems somehow to be almost ‘tame’ for Eugene, especially in the circumstances. One can imagine the joy in the coming together every first Friday, talking, scolding, praying, celebrating. Being a part of such a group – vital.

    “Obedience and charity bind us together…, keeping us in our lives, and missionary activity, even when, dispersed for the sake of the Gospel, we can benefit only occasionally from life in common. Each community, whether a house or a district, will adopt a program of life and prayer best suited to its purpose and apostolate.” OMI CC&RR Constitution 38 – I find myself looking at this a little differently this morning. I find joy and freedom in these words – they bind with love. “Keeping us interdependent…” community, communion, vital – each to the other. I see Eugene here as he penned this, truly being inspired for in a few years there will be even bigger separations, specially when he begins to send men out to the new world, to Ceylon, and beyond. Leaving it open to whatever the circumstances will necessitate. “….each community …..a program of life and prayer best suited to its purpose and apostolate.” Wisdom, foresight, love, trust. This is so much more than a man just starting something to ensure it will be done “his way”.

    A friend and I were talking about the Constitution and Rules and the gift and beauty in them. We talked of how wonderful it would be to take them and animate them with our Oblate brothers. Pray with them, rediscover them, look and share of who they have been and how they are being lived.

    I think of the work and struggle to try and express the relationship between Oblates and Oblate Associates that has come about through the charism of St. Eugene. The relationship, the participation in. There is I think a grace in letting go and joining, following, trusting, participating with others, community. Yes, I find myself looking through new eyes today (or at least having moments of seeing through new eyes) and discovering a deeper or perhaps more real sense. Interdependence – freeing, live-giving. Gratitude and awe.

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