In order to achieve the goals of mission preaching, Eugene laid down the foundational principle: the preacher himself had to know the Saviour and imitate him. Just as Eugene’s own mission was a communication of his own experience of God, so too did he expect the same process in the lives of the individual Oblates to be the basis of their mission preaching.
Eugene insisted:
In a word, act in such manner as not only to do much good but also to leave behind you a true impression of sanctity. Otherwise people will say that you are only doing your job.
You must be absolutely men of God, work only for God, walk unceasingly in his presence, edify from morning till night all those who deal with you or who surround you.
Letter to Jean Baptiste Mille, 20 January 1837, O.W. IX, n. 603
I am reminded of the phrase found in the last communication from Chapter, under Oblate Mission where it said “… they love the poor with God’s Heart.”. This can only be done by being “absolutely men of God,” working “only for God,” and walking “unceasingly in his prsence”. It is precisely this lifestyle that makes the mission possible.