PROVIDENCE WHO WATCHES OVER OUR NEEDS HAS FURNISHED PRECISELY THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN DEMANDED SO URGENTLY.

How has Divine Providence used me to further God’s work?

Just at the time that an English-speaking Oblate was urgently needed in Canada to minister to the large Irish population of Bytown, Eugene wrote: ” Providence who watches over our needs has furnished precisely the man who has been demanded so urgently.” He was the 41 year-old novice, Michael Molloy, born in Ireland.

Eugene had to write to the Vatican to ask for a dispensation to cut short his novitiate by six months. He noted in his diary:

The letter from Cardinal Ostini is very friendly. He tells me that our Holy Father the Pope has very willingly granted the requested dispensation and that he gives his apostolic blessing to everyone.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 6 February 1845, EO XXI

Eugene then wrote to the novice-master

I would be very happy to see him make his profession on the feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph. I do not need to recommend that you take good care of this dear Brother Molloy, so that he will be imbued with the spirit of our Society and that he will arrive at his destination so well formed as if he had spent ten years with us. I expect this result from the good will of your zeal.

Letter to Father Jacques Santoni, Novice Master, 18 March 1845, EO X n 867

Then to the Superior of L’Osier, where Brother Molloy had been sent:

I have written to the Bishop of Viviers that we would be sending Brother Molloy to him at the time of ordination for the tonsure, minor orders, and the subdiaconate. I will ordain him deacon at my ordination time at the end of June, and I will ordain him a priest fifteen days later so that he can set sail as soon as possible. If Divine Providence had not sent us this worthy fellow, we would have had to pull up stakes at Bytown, literally. May God grant that he not arrive there too late.

Letter to Father Ambroise Vincens at Notre-Dame L’Osier, 17 April 1845, EO X n 871

Nothing is said about theological studies! Despite the rushed formation, Father Molloy arrived in Bytown in 1845 and remained attached to the Ottawa Cathedral for the next 45 years where he did zealous ministry among the most abandoned until his death. (See https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/molloy-michael/)