LET US BE WORTHY OF OUR GREAT VOCATION AND GO FORTH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD WHO WILL SEE TO OUR RECOMPENSE

Posted on September 22, 2022 by franksantucci

At baptism I was “claimed for Christ the Savior”- how am I living that challenge today?

Despite Father Bermond’s reaction, his presence was needed in Canada, and Eugene informed him of his imminent departure.

I do not share, my dear Father Bermond, the misgivings you have manifested to me. So do not be afraid, my dear friend, to respond to the appeal of our Fathers in Canada. Your departure is fixed for the 9th or 10th of July.

Come to Marseilles as soon as possible. We will have time to converse with each other… I abjure you, my dear friend, to put aside at this juncture any human consideration and especially to repulse anything in your memory which may trouble you. In the name of God, let your heart soften and be at rest, assured as you are of the esteem and affection that have never been wanting in mine, whatever you may have believed.

Let us be worthy of our great vocation and go forth in the name of the Lord who will see to our recompense… On your voyage you will have for companions Father Mulloy and another Oblate and angels will preserve you, the while they gladden you along the way with (the song): Evangelizantium bona…

Letter to Fr Bermond, 14 June 1845, EO I n 55

Writing to Father Guigues, the Oblate Superior in Canada, Eugene gave a positive picture.

Father Bermond has excellent qualities. Father Vincens was very pleased with him at Osier and gave me a testimony of him that is most consoling. Show him confidence and friendship and I am sure that you will be satisfied…

Letter to Fr. Eugene Guigues, 6 July 1845, EO I n 57

Indeed Father Bermond did do good work during the 14 years that he remained in Canada. He did cause certain difficulties in his relationship with some Oblates, but we will see this later.

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One Response to LET US BE WORTHY OF OUR GREAT VOCATION AND GO FORTH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD WHO WILL SEE TO OUR RECOMPENSE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:
    September 22, 2022 at 13:34

    I see St. Eugene is modelling how he lets go of his own experience of pain caused by Bermond’s rejection. Be not afraid he reminds Bermond, adding “in the name of God, let your heart soften and be at rest”.

    Eugene the qualities of Fr. Bermond when he writes to Fr Guigues telling him to “show [Bermond] confidence and friendship”.

    This morning we sit with Franks reminder and invitation to recognize and realize how we allow ourselves to embrace live out what looks like to be “claimed for Christ the Saviour”.

    I catch glimpses of Mary, our Mother and Patroness in this picture. She is there, standing at the foot of the cross, along side of Eugene as he invites Bermond to join them. This is what love looks like. This is holy ground that they stand on. And in a flash my heart realizes that this too is a living part of the paschal mystery – not a one-time event, but an ongoing way of being and living – for all of us.

    That embrace of God is an experience of the ‘both and’ – the cross and the resurrection, each intimately a part of the other. Therein lies the challenge as I ask myself “what do I need to let go of so to be more present to God and stand in the light of God’s embrace”?

    Again I think of the men who are experiencing the Spirit’s life in the General Chapter. I think of the light we are all invited to stand in with them – in our everyday lives as we step out into our own experiences on a “pilgrimage of hope in communion”.

    Do I put God first, and my brothers and sisters ahead of myself? Do I see through the eyes of the crucified Saviour, or allow myself to be distracted by fear and sorrow?
    Humility, loving service, discipleship, love…

    Our oblation is how we live out our belonging to the Beloved, first claimed through our baptism. A way of “being” and from that follows the “doing”.

    Reply

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