From the moment that the Oblates became a religious congregation in 1818, the membership was open to men who wished to be missionaries either as priests or as brothers. Initially there were very few who joined to be Brothers and put their particular talents at the service of the mission. In Rome, Eugene came across many Brothers of other congregations who impressed him.
The Brother who serves me would very much wish to follow me: he is still only a novice, twenty years of age and a shoemaker by trade. He is a charming young man who is capable of sewing a little and knows how to cook. It is repugnant to my sense of delicacy to consent to his wishes; but it is hard for us not to have any Brothers, while here they have a surplus of them. Amongst others, they have three Germans who are a treasure. One is a carpenter, the other a cook, the third a tailor
Letter to Henri Tempier, 28 January 1826, EO VI n. 221
Today:
“Brothers participate in the missionary work of building up the Church everywhere, especially in those areas where the Word is first being proclaimed. Missioned by the Church, their technical, professional or pastoral service, as well as the witness of their life, constitute their ministry of evangelization.” CC&RR, Rule 7 c
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Mattie Stepanek
I have read and reread this a couple of times and am unsure about Eugene’s statement of “….It is repugnant to my sense of delicacy to consent to his wishes.” A different time and a different place perhaps. I am used to thinking along the lines of serving one another, working with where each brings his or her gifts and so – am simply not sure of what might be behind Eugene’s words. So this morning I have mostly thought about Frank’s quote from the Constitution and Rules: “Brothers participate in the missionary work of building up the Church everywhere, especially in those areas where the Word is first being proclaimed. Missioned by the Church, their technical, professional or pastoral service, as well as the witness of their life, constitute their ministry of evangelization.” 200 years ago they were looking at the possibility of lay men, Brothers being a part of their congregation – or at least were not totally closed to the idea. Fast forward to this time and place and I think of the many lay persons working for and with the Oblates; and I focus on the Oblate Associates. In my dreams I wonder if their wouldn’t be an inclusion in the Constitution and Rules, perhaps an addition to 37a that might look something like: “[Oblate] Associates participate in the missionary work of building up the Church everywhere, some in those areas where the Word is first being proclaimed, but especially in those areas where the Word is being taught and lived in an ongoing way. Missioned by the Church, their technical, professional or pastoral service, as well as the witness of their life, constitute their ministry of evangelization.”
I think of the early Christian communities, of what Paul wrote about us all being a part of the body of Christ and what that meant (and still means today), and I think of what little Mattie Stepanek wrote about unity and team work. I think of a few who have been strong and sure in their vocation and what God has called has called them to be and how no one is a threat to them who would walk with them. I think about how I am sure and strong in what God has called me to do, how I have been called to be and live and there is no fear in inviting and allowing others to join me, to walk with me. Serving each other. Only joy and gratitude. Community – I think we were created for it. Nothing happens alone, but together … watch the world change.
Thanks Frank: Can you add to this line of the founder. Where was he coming from.
“It is repugnant to my sense of delicacy to consent to his wishes;”
The reflection that the Superior General gave to the congregation needs to be seen in the context of 198 years and the evolutionary process of Oblate life.