Father Honorat had not had an easy time as the founder and superior of the first Oblates in Canada. Despite this, Eugene acknowledged the admiration he had for this dedicated Oblate
…I perceive quite well in you the religious man imbued with the spirit of his calling who only wills and seeks the glory of God, the greater good of souls, the honour and prosperity of our dear Congregation. For the rest, my dear Father Honorat, you can be sure that I expected nothing less of you, so it is not surprise which prompts my satisfaction and my joy. On the contrary, I am confirmed in my foresight which was founded on the knowledge I had of your principles and your sentiments.
The time had come for Fr Honorat to establish a new Oblate community and mission in Saguenay among the migrant woodcutters and then to the First Nations People.
So we now see you, dear Father Honorat, in charge of the new establishment which divine Providence has obtained for us. I applauded the choice that Father Visitor made of you for this delicate mission. God in his goodness for the like of you who devote themselves in His service will bless your task. All that I recommend is that you settle down there on good foundations. The Rule! Keep strictly to the Rule, without excepting anyone under any pretext whatever.
Letter for Fr. Jean Baptiste Honorat, 20 October 1844, EO I n 49
In the nine years in which he stayed there, Fr Honorat became a champion of social justice issues in defense of the most abandoned – a dedication that did not endear him to the civil and business authorities.
(See: https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/saint-alexis-saguenay-1844-1853/ )
As I read the account of Fr. Jean Baptiste Honorat’s early life in Canada I am very much reminded of Eugene de Mazenod’s problems from 1832 to 1837 in France when he was marked by the calumny of small government officials and when even the Church seemed swayed-by and afraid of upsetting the powerful government of France. And long before the time of Eugene there was Jesus who was betrayed to the Romans by his own people…
Only after having read the suggested document did I read Eugene’s letter to Honorate in 1844. “The Rule! Keep strictly to the Rule…” And although the wording of the 1844 Rule of Life has changed and become current to our time I believe that the spirit is the same.
I read “Our call… to live Christ Jesus… in apostolic community. To live Christ Jesus crucified, among the most abandoned in the Church, proclaiming the Word with daring, humility and trust as prophets of the new world with Mary Immaculate.” The Mission, the missio Dei, the Church’s mission, indeed our mission today. There is very real comfort, consolation and support when I turn to it.
Norman Séguin wrote about Honorat’s life saying “…throughout his life he was an authentic missionary who was more concerned with men than with things.” What a beautiful eulogy! And it can be ours when we too live by the Rule of Life.
Isn’t that what we are all aiming for?