“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” (Rollo May)
Eugene always regarded himself as being the father of his missionary family – and loved each of its members. He understood well that communication was the cement that keeps a family together, and thus Eugene placed major importance on this, especially once the Oblates began to go to places outside of France.
I have recommended that local superiors write me every three months. Apart from such regularity in correspondence being an exigency of good order, if you knew what pleasure I derive from the least details of what you are doing, you would not be so stingy in giving them.
Letter to Eugene Guigues in Canada, 19 November, EO I n 59
Communication is the cement that keeps our Mazenodian Family united and a powerful force of evangelization and hope in our needy world. Let all of us who honor St Eugene as a father make a greater effort to get to know the other members, the diverse vocational expressions and the many groups that form our widespread missionary family.
Communication is more than a ‘talking-at’ – it is a ‘talking-with’ – a sharing with each other. “We are sent to evangelize, to share the Good News (and our experience of God) with…” and then we ourselves become evangelized by the very poor that we have been sent out to.
And if we are blessed we may learn to enter into communion – not just with God but with one another. I ponder how each morning we come together as “St Eugene speaks…” with each of us as is noted at the top right hand corner of every single posting and notice: “A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” There is a particular joy in coming here and sharing with Eugene and one another. It is like a backdrop to whatever we are drawn to share in and live out each day. I simply let God take care of the logistics of how it will be played out.
As Eugene stated in his letter it is not just one-way, but rather a flow back and forth, a receiving and a giving. I think of how the Holy Spirit as been taking part in the General Chapter, speaking through others and that too is part of our communication with each other and with God. I think of the symbol used to depict ‘infinity’ – no beginning or end – just a flow back and forth.
Again that image of the flaming hearts comes to mind – the flow of love between each other – both inward and outward…
There are so many ways we can communicate with each other, and this is but one of them: the “cement that keeps our Mazenodian Family united…