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“A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” 1857
As I sit with Eugene this morning, I am reminded of my short visit to Marseilles some years ago. I was there for the day to see the Cathedral, the Calvaire and Notre Dame de la Garde which sits atop a small mountain. It is a magnificent shrine from which one looks out over the city below and the harbour from where those first Oblates left to come to our land. My only souvenir of that day is my memory of meeting Our Lady the Guardian. Today she continues to stand and keep watch over her people.
After reading Eugene’s words about the men who accompanied him and his love for them as they prepared to leave for Canada I think of another story, example of the maternal care which Eugene shared and extended to these young Oblates who would soon leave from Marseille’s port to go to Canada.
I am reminded this morning of Fabio Ciardi’s story, “A daguerreotype of Saint Eugene de Mazenod” as he shares the story of Emilia de Viallar, Founder of the Sisters of the Apparition. Saint Emilia de Viallar lived in Marseilles from 1852 until her death in 1856 and one of her postulants who made portraits with the daguerreotype asked to make one of Bishop de Mazenod who supported their community. There is just such a portrait of Eugene de Mazenod in the Oblate archives in Rome. The story tells of how once this portrait was made “Mons. De Mazenod then asked the postulant to make portraits of the fathers who leave on mission because he wants their image under his eyes ‘to always have it in his heart’.”
Eugene placing the three young brothers under the care of Notre Dame de la Garde, Mary our Mother and patron who would later request that images be made of these men, his sons who he loved dearly and would miss. Through a daguerreotype he would be able to look upon their faces and allow his heart to be touched and grow even more in tenderness. There was something very prophetic about his love, not unlike the love of God and Mary our Mother.