I KNOW IT, MY DOOR IS OPEN TOO WIDE AND I AM TOO MUCH AT THE DISPOSITION OF EVERYONE

Eugene as Bishop of the second-largest city of France and Superior General of a growing missionary Congregation, had very little time for himself. These two extracts give an example.

I let myself go, my dear Father Honorat, and wrote an interminable letter to our good Father Telmon. He addressed to me one so amiable in regard to his sentiments and so interesting that I was bound I would not spare myself in responding to all he had communicated. I locked myself in and, deaf to thirty-six thousand double knocks at my door, I pursued this task as if I were alone in the world.

Letter to Jean Baptiste Honorat, 27 April 1843, EO I n 17

To the Bishop of Montreal:

Having wished to give myself time to reply in detail to the kind and touching letter that you have had the kindness to write me, I have found myself obliged to wait until today when, in order to escape from the incessant and daily disturbances at Marseilles, I have come to take refuge in the country. I have been telling myself: as soon as I shall have an hour to myself, I shall devote it to my venerable friend whose excellent letter is ever under my eyes, but this hour of liberty, experience proves, I shall never have in the midst of my immense population as long as I do not change my system. I know it, my door is open too wide and I am too much at the disposition of everyone, whether it be the sick who must be reassured or the religious ceremonies become so numerous in my episcopal city. I say this, Monseigneur, to explain the delay for which my heart has reproached me many times although it is excused of necessity by my rather unique position. At least I feel relieved today in my solitude, as I take up my pen to converse with you. Half a league away from the city, I promise myself that no one will disturb me.

Letter to Ignace Bourget, Bishop of Montreal, 30 May 1843. EO I n 18

Closeness to his people, in Marseilles and in the Oblates, was always paramount for him – a characteristic he has left to his Mazenodian family until today.