Yesterday we saw how Eugene regarded the presence of the saints as “guests.” We continue with a reflection by Father Yvon Beaudoin, the foremost living scholar of the Founder today, who guides us today.
“Eugene de Mazenod often speaks of the saints. Their lives invite him to admire and imitate them. During his retreat in May 1818, for example, he felt attracted by the power of their examples:
“I must be holy,” he notes, “and surprisingly, it seemed so easy that I did not question That it must be; A glance at the saints of our days as Blessed Leonardo of Port-Maurice and Blessed Alphonse de Liguori seemed to encourage and strengthen me. “
During his visits to Rome in 1825-1826 and 1854, he went to pray in many churches where the saints were buried. He confided to Father Tempier that he “sins less” because “here everything recalls the great examples of the saints, who still seem to be alive for those who walk in this city with a little bit of spirit of faith.” He often invokes them with fervor and confidence
Yvon Beaudoin OMI, Vie Oblate Life, Volume 67 (2008), p. 149.
“They were in the world and not of it–not because they were saints, but in a different way: because they were artists. The integrity of an artist lifts persons above the level of the world without delivering them from it.” Thomas Merton
I must be tired this morning for I keep having to reread this piece and then refocus on my reflection. My thoughts are disjointed and I feel as if I am all over the map somehow. Who do I look to – to admire and imitate? A few saints come to mind but certainly not a lot. I realise that if someone says the name of a saint – a well-known saint to me then I ponder them and I might know a little bit about them. But I do not think of them in the way that Eugene seemed to practice.
As a little child I would often wish that I had been named after a saint, someone who would be there to walk with me, show me the way, someone that I could emulate. I wanted to be called Theresa after St. Theresa of Lisieux – I wished to be like her, to emulate her.
I think back to my one and only visit to Rome and Aix and how so much seemed to recalled “the great examples of some saints – who still seemed to be alive for those who walk in those cities with a little bit of spirit of faith”. I did call on them – because I was aware of them. Maybe that is the secret – being aware.
We went to Poland last year to walk in St. Faustina’s footsteps. We also learned much about St John Paul II and St. Maximilian Kolbe. This was meaningful to me having grown up Protestant. However when we stopped in Paris on the way home, I had a most endearing reaction to the city. Normally I avoid big cities…There was some strange force at play. Everywhere I looked was magical and it felt like I was home.
Today’s reflection that for St. Eugene the Saints are still alive there for someone walking in faith perhaps explains some of the mystical experience I too had there. Thanks Frank for this insight.