By the middle of 1834 there were around 26 Oblates and 10 scholasticates in 5 communities: Aix en Provence, Marseilles, Laus, L’Osier in France and Billens in Switzerland.
At this time, the newly-appointed Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica, Casanelli d’Istria, visited friends in Aix en Provence and met Eugene. In explaining the abandonment of the Church in Corsica: “poor parishes, numerous clergy but in general without formation, ignorant faithful, strife between families and clans,” he asked for help from the Oblates. Here were people who were indeed abandoned and who needed a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior.
Eugene described the situation to Fr. Guibert, who had encouraged him for years to start a new mission outside of mainland of France
A vast horizon opens up before us; we are perhaps called to the work of regenerating the clergy and the entire people of Corsica.
The Bishop is calling us to direct the seminary, and he is ready to confide to us the missions in his diocese; we must take it or leave it. The latter choice would be unworthy, little though we may be able to do; it would be disheartening if we should find ourselves unable to respond to the pressing invitation which offers us everything we are hoping for. The truth is we are able to accept the offer we have longed for, and which we won’t ever have again if we turn it down now.
But fulfilling this task is going to cost us very heavy sacrifices.
Letter to Hippolyte Guibert, 18 October 1834, EO VIII n 493
That same spirit motivates us today:
To seek out new ways for the Word of God to reach their hearts often calls for daring; to present Gospel demands in all clarity should never intimidate us. Awareness of our own shortcomings humbles us, yet God’s power makes us confident as we strive to bring all people – especially the poor – to full consciousness of their dignity as human beings and as sons and daughters of God.
OMI Constitutions and Rules, C 8
Eugene’s words are pretty clear and even in the midst of his own personal suffering he still finds the strength and courage to keep moving forward. We humans seem rise to the occasion even as we suffer greatly. In the midst of coming to know Albert Lacombe OMI I see how often he would be tired and wanting to retire; wanting not so much to give up but to rest and simply be with those he loved most, ministering to and enjoying the fruits of his years of working with them. And it was at those very times that he would be asked to get up and go back east to raise more monies for the missions, to go to Europe to advise or settle some questions – and – to raise more monies for the missions. Over and over again he was tasked in finding new ways to respond to God’s calls to him and his brothers (Oblates).
Over and over again I am reminded of Jesus and his love and suffering, his rising from the dead and the new regeneration that brought forward for us. God does fill and refill us with the fire of his love and from that comes deeper trust and greater daring.
As usual I find myself enlivened and excited for the day unfolding before me. There is a small spark as I read the words of Eugene’s letter and Constitution 8.
I hear the sounds of the couple who live in the apartment above me packing up their truck. They have spent most of the weekend packing their belongings into the truck and in a few minutes they will leave to begin a new stage of their life in another place. Last night I saw the tiredness in their eyes but peeking through the blinds I see they are now filled with excitement to get moving forward.
It seems to fit somehow. A new way for Eugene and the Oblates to respond; a new way for my neighbours to move forward; a new way for me to start my day as I breathe in Constitution 8 and Rule 8a.