In August Eugene traveled to the scholasticate in Billens to check on the progress of the community and its studies.
We were all so happy to see each other again, after a year’s absence, and a conversation (not foreseen by the Rule) got started, almost in spite of myself, by a kind of bewitchment, and went on until after 11 o’clock ….
Still concerned about the future of the Oblates in the hostile climate of France, he was hoping to establish a missionary community in Switzerland.
On the journey I made the acquaintance of a fine fellow from le Valais who might be useful to me if I decide when I am there to do something in his country.
Please ask the holy Capuchin sisters to pray that I for my part may place no obstacle to the accomplishment of God’s will, and that no-one may put obstacles in the path of goodness if that is the direction it is to take, but I always anticipate a lot of problems when a new enterprise in a foreign country is on the agenda.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 19 August 1831, EO VIII n 400
“Please ask the holy Capuchin sisters to pray that I for my part may place no obstacle to the accomplishment of God’s will…” Eugene’s words touch a spot within me that is a little tender. I think of the times that I have gone to the pastor at Church because I needed to let him know how one particular person or another had hurt me, or worked against me, or made it impossible for me to do something or be a certain way. I made an appointment and then spent the intervening time arming myself, preparing a case against the other person. And the day came when I sat down and began to talk and I found myself talking about my problem – with me. Not in the light of the other person, but in the light of myself – it was my own self that I was struggling with, my own weaknesses and points of hurt and fear. Damn! And has that stopped? Of course not.
Immersed as I am in my learning and coming to know more deeply Eugene and those first Oblates and the many who made and make up this Mazenodian Family, I see the beauty that comes with all of the brokenness and the wholeness in each one of us – it is the both-and it’s not just ‘out there’. Its within me too. It is both humbling and wondrous!
Perhaps today I shall as God to help each of us so that none of us will place obstacles in the way of any of us accomplishing God’s will.