HERE WE HAVE NOT ONLY NUMBERS AND CONTENTMENT, BUT ALSO PIETY AND RELIGIOUS FERVOR

Until the time of his death, one of Eugene’s greatest joys was to receive letters from the Oblates in the foreign missions. He would immediately have them read in the houses of formation so as to whet the appetite of the novices and scholastics for the foreign missions. In this extract he writes to Father Vincens, the Novice Master, to give him news of the Oblates in Canada.

Finally, I have learned that our travelers have arrived in Canada. They had left on September 1 and, since we had come to December without my having received any news. I was truly anxious. A letter has arrived  to reassure me: they arrived at Longueuil forty-two days after their departure from Le Havre. The travelers were Father Telmon, returning from the General Chapter, and three new members of the mission, Father Allard and Deacons Loverlochère and Brunet.

The crossing was rather long, but rather good. The community there is very happy indeed. Father Allard has pleased everybody; he is himself quite pleased in this house which is doing very well.. Our two deacons are also very happy. “Oh, what an interesting community,” they write to me. “Be consoled. Here we have not only numbers and contentment, but also piety and religious fervor as they should be in the most fervent of our communities.”

Letter to Father Ambroise Vincens, 10 December 1843, EO X n 825

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1 Response to HERE WE HAVE NOT ONLY NUMBERS AND CONTENTMENT, BUT ALSO PIETY AND RELIGIOUS FERVOR

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    The small and the ordinary becoming the extraordinary.

    Sharing his news from the distant missions with the ever widening and growing family. It was a ‘big’ thing as Eugene was also bishop of Marseilles and all that was entailed in that – not just dealing with the parishes and priests at large but also trying to keep his own door open to all those who came for advice, information, and a personal touch that Eugene was always willing to share.

    Eugene’s love was not a love that lessened with anyone, or that was marked by degrees between people. And so, his sharing the details of the life of the missionaries in other lands inspired those preparing for a similar life, no matter where they were sent. Is this not what Frank does in part with this blog every morning for all who come and sit with it, pray with it, and then share it with their brothers and sisters? Creating new models for all and each of us to imitate and become in our own way. We become inspired to share and then inspire others to do the same.

    The small and the ordinary becoming extraordinary.

    Again, the image of the flaming hearts with Jesus in the centre and surrounded by the apostles as the flaming hearts are share among and with each other, ever moving outward to those not pictured, the disciples and followers and indeed to all of us.

    Each day we are inspired and in our own ways inspire each other and even further.
    I read once more the words of Eugene, who was like a man on fire with life, but who was and is so very pastoral. I begin my day as I give thanks to God who has planted me here in this place.

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