Henri Tempier’s reply to Eugene’s invitation was a source of great joy for Eugene. Tempier shows himself to be in perfect harmony with each of the foundational ideas proposed to him. Eugene exults:
God be blessed, my very dear brother, for the dispositions he has put in your good heart. You would not believe the joy I felt on reading your letter. I opened it anxiously but soon was comforted.
Be sure that I regard it as most important that you be one of us for the work of God. I count on you more than on myself for the regularity of a house which, in my mind and my hopes, must reproduce the perfection of the first disciples of the apostles. I base my hopes on that much more than on eloquent discourses. Have they ever converted anyone?
Letter to Henri Tempier, 15 November 1815, O.W. VI n. 6
Tempier’s letter shows the “one heart and one soul” that marked his relationship with Eugene. Because it mirrors Eugene’s foundational inspiration so closely, I reproduce it here:
“May the good God be blessed for having inspired you to prepare for the poor, for the inhabitants of our countryside, those who have the most need of instruction in our religion, a house of missionaries who will go and announce to them the truths of salvation.
I share your views completely, my dear brother, and far from needing any urging to enter this holy Society which satisfies my own desires so completely, I assure you that, had I known of your plans before you mentioned them to me, I would have been the first to speak of my joining your Society. Thus, I feel that I owe you a debt of gratitude for judging me worthy to work with you for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. True, I can make no claim to any talent for preaching, which is so essential in a missionary, but, alius quidem sic, alius vero sic. [ed; a reference to I Cor 7:7 “But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.”] What I cannot do in eloquent sermons, I shall do in catechism classes, conferences, in hearing confessions, and by all other means which can establish the reign of Jesus Christ in souls
I find nothing lowly or inferior in that. Meanwhile, practice will make it easier for me than it is now. Besides, what you want most in those you choose as your collaborators is priests who will not get into a rut of routine and daily hum-drum, and, as Father Charles’ predecessor used to say, plod along day after day without accomplishing anything; you want priests who will be ready to follow in the footsteps of the Apostles and work for the salvation of souls with no other reward here on earth but hardship and fatigue. I think that God’s grace has given me this desire. If not, then I wish with all my heart that I will have it, and working with you will make it all the easier to attain. You can, therefore, count entirely on me.”
27 October, 1815 Cf. REY I, p. 183.
I can only remember the great joy that I felt when first reading Eugene’s letter to Fr. Tempier – it tugged immediately at my heart. I did not understand it (my response) at first. Now I simply thank God for it and for Eugene. I respond hopefully in my way to Eugene as did Henri Tempier – though not the same but as I am able. Although I am not a priest, nor a brother I can serve those who serve. And I echo the response of Fr. Tempier in saying: “I think that God’s grace has give me this desire. If not, then I wish with all my heart that I will have it……”
This correspondence between two brothers is touching. We so often see Eugene in that stance of the “father”, yet here he is -brother. We also see him cherishing the gifts of others as they fit together in forming a “family”. “Many gifts but the same spirit.” These reading touch me also in a personal way for I live alone at a retreat centre and desire deeply that sense of relationship and community. And yes it is happening in ways that are new and expanding. I can only pray that as Henri was there for Eugene, to be that grounding for him so that he does not get sick again, I pray for that “Henri” in my life.