The father of the missionary family’s deepest wish was that the members would live in a spirit of unity. We recall our Founder’s dying words: “Among yourselves, charity, charity, charity” as we read about his delight at the spirit of the Oblate community in Vico, Corsica:
Live happily, my dear children, in your precious community. You would not imagine the happiness I experience when I hear about the unity and cordiality that exists among you. Ah! how I am in spirit in the midst of this dear portion of the family! You are my consolation and my joy. May the Lord fill you with his blessings. I press all of you to my heart.
Letter to Fr. Etienne Semeria, 27 December 1841, EO IX n 755
What a gift of love and joy it must have been for Fr. Semeria and his community to receive this letter! “You are my consolation and my joy.” What more could a son or a daughter wish to hear from their founder, father and friend.
As I reflect on Eugene’s words this morning two small events come to mind. The first happened some years ago during the Lacombe Province Convocation. Fr. Louis Lougen joined us from Rome via Skype and told us that we were right where we were supposed to be. He did not qualify his statement but rather spoke to all of us sitting there, united by a common spirit. I have no doubt on that day that Eugene de Mazenod was also with us “in spirit in the midst of that dear portion of the family!”
The second event took place a couple of days ago as the Oblate Associate Co-animators met via Zoom. We began by giving thanks for how as a Province we were able to come together, again via Zoom to celebrate the renewal of our vows and commitments; pre-covid we did this in person within our District boundaries on February 17th. We gave thanks and shared our joy on how we had been touched. Then we began to look at how we Associates could join with the Oblates of our Province in another process; again, looking at the possibilities open to us. Together we shared our questions, doubts, suggestions and anticipation. I noticed how the Spirit connected and animated us.
Eugene again speaking to and through each of us in this Mazenodian Family.