Father Fabre’s first circular letter to the Oblates after the General Chapter which elected him to be Eugene’s successor contains the invitation:
Let us be united in spirit and in heart
and we will be strong for doing what is good;
let us be united in the memory of a Father
forever beloved”
As we prepare to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 2016, these words are as pertinent as ever for us. If we allow the presence and spirit of Eugene to be our source of strength and unity, then surely our bonds of charity and our missionary zeal will have no boundaries.
The thought came to me this morning of sometimes not being able to see the forest for the trees. Sometimes I get wrapped up in myself and I forget to look at everything around me. Sometimes I can get busy admiring myself and the good works that I am doing that I lose sight of the magnificent beauty that surrounds me, the good works and awesome love of God in all. It is then that I grow weak, that I become a little lost for I have lost sight of the truest part of life and myself – of God – not just a God trapped and limited to being within me and my heart – but God who is so very much in all that the universe presents, in all around me. And it’s not something I can see on my own – but only when I look through the eyes of God and even that is a gift.
“If we allow the presence and spirit of Eugene to be our source of strength and unity, then surely our bonds of charity and our missionary zeal will have no boundaries.” When I begin to remember who I am, how I come to be who I am – not alone but only in being with others, a part of them then I can see the forest and what a beautiful forest it is. In coming here each morning I am reminded of the practice of ‘oraison’. Not exactly as Eugene spoke of it but still – I come in prayer and allow God to take me where he will. And somehow I join in, with others, with all of you in this place which as been created for us to come and to join in, each of us with our own response and sharing of our souls. And if by chance we see what is offered by the other, take part in it – well then we are somehow ‘united in the memory of a father forever beloved’. For we are coming in a new way – without the ‘boundaries’ that we are used to. Each of us with our own prayer and and thoughts and ways of becoming and being one with God and each other. There is great joy in all of it – even when it comes down to seeing that someone else has joined in. Sharing with each other in the many ways that we do another gift. It is as Frank said “If we allow the presence and spirit of Eugene to be our source of strength and unity….” Coming here to this place is yet another opening of the heart and allowing God and Eugene and each other to become a beginning point of the day.
Frank, thank you for your succinct style of writing on “Who is St. Eugene” section. We have just got back from our second pilgrimage to Aix – walking in the footsteps of St. Eugene… so it is nice to catch up on your lovely pending thoughts on Eugene. Thanks Eleanor for comments as well. Keep in touch. Looking forward to seeing you Frank in Nov/Dec Godwilling! Thanks Kirk