Now that he was in Marseille, Eugene kept in regular contact with the superiors of the Oblate communities to ensure a unity of spirit. His letters are full of practical details referring to situations and people. In a particular way he maintained contact with Hippolyte Courtès, in Aix, who was responsible for the formation of the new members of the Missionaries.
After Eugene’s visit to Nice, the pastor of the cathedral of that city had referred a sub-deacon to be a candidate to join the Oblates
I do not need to ask you to give a good welcome to those who present themselves but I ought to tell you that this one has no idea of how we do things. He was disposed to devote himself to the missions of Nice. M. Daurenson had spoken of us to him without knowing all that we demand in the way of perfection from those who wish to be enrolled in our militia which can only fight the demon and vanquish him with the arms of Faith in the manner of the Apostles. So you must, as soon as you will have perceived that this person can be suitable for us, make a decision so as not to lose time and money of which we have none to spare.
Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 30 July 1824, EO VI n 149
Here Eugene comes back to the heart of the Oblate vocation, using military vocabulary: it is not a matter of just doing good works, but of being: of having a quality of life built on faith and according to the model of the apostles. Only then will he be able to counteract the power of evil at work in the world. If candidates are not clear about the quality and necessity of ‘being” in order to “do”, then they are not for us.
Today in our Rule of Life:
Candidates should give proof of maturity consistent with their age and have a satisfactory knowledge of Christian teaching. They should show signs of a constancy of faith and Christian life, of love for the poor and an aptitude for community living. CC&RR, Rule 54a
My mind wanders and I wonder if that young man “made it”.
“… it is not a matter of just doing good works, but of being: of having a quality of life built on faith and according to the model of the apostles.” Growing up in a world of violence, hatred and survival (not living but simply meaningless survival) I thought for a long time that if I did enough good things I would be able to “earn” my way into a life with God. I wanted to “be” like a few of those saints that we all learned about in school, without even understanding what that “being” like meant. I somehow, at some level though could identify with St. Paul. The closest I could come to any or all of it was to say that I knew (deep down surety) if I could somehow give all of myself, who I am, my very being to God, then and only then would I be able to love, to “do”. And in the middle of this my humanness.
Today I find myself focusing on “…. of love for the poor and an aptitude for community living.” I reflect once again on the Oblate Constitution and Rules. Each part of it works with the other parts to give a complete way of living. Not a list of things that can or cannot be done, not limiting. More a statement of a process of living, a way of being, a recipe that grows and adapts. A recipe that changes ever so slightly with each new chef adding their own touch, flavours, adapting to surroundings, ingredients and tools available. The texture remains the same, but there are hints in the tasting of something more being added, something a little bit different. What each person in the community brings to it as a whole. “We come together in apostolic communities … united to God … Cooperating with the Saviour ….” An invitation to life.