“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike
In his Diary, Bishop Eugene grieves at the receipt of the shocking news of the death of one his most trusted Oblates, Father Noël Francois Moreau. He died suddenly in Corsica where he had been the Rector of the Major Seminary.
Returning to my place, a thunderbolt! A letter from Fr. Lagier gave me the harsh news of the death of our good and venerable Fr. Moreau. I must bow my face low to the ground and profoundly meditate on the word of Sunday prayer: Pater noster, fiat voluntas tua. This loss is irreparable. The sadness which I experience is at its peak. He was one of the pillars of the congregation.
His maturity of age (he was born on August 24, 1794), his experience, his application to study, independently of his great virtues, had made him a very distinguished subject. As well, the Bishop and the clergy of Ajaccio gave great importance to him…
He died as he had lived, a holy religious. During the night which had preceded his blessed passing, he wanted the portrait of our venerable Fr. Albini to be placed in front of him. He invoked him fervently, considered himself fortunate to have been his friend and recommended himself to his prayers. During the short delirium which preceded his death, he just prayed and readily repeated the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, which were suggested to him from time to time.
Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 2 February 1846, EO XXI
Fr. Yvon Beaudoin’s article on Fr. Moreau’s life and missionary achievements in the Historical Dictionary is worth reading to experience something of Oblate life during the time of the Founder: https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/moreau-noel-francois/
Reading Eugene’s words from his diary entry about the unexpected death of Fr. Moreau, I note he used the word harsh and then after reflecting upon it he wrote “our Father, your will be done” which was a surrender of sorts as he let go of a man, a son who he loved and who played a vital part in the daily life of the Oblate family, one of the ‘pillars’ of the congregation. After reading the story of Moreau’s life I kept thinking although he did not stand out in the same sense some other Oblates – each and every one of them was and are extraordinary and special. As if I am now able to look at them in a new light, through the eyes of an extraordinary love. A small Aha moment as I sit with Eugene, God and all of you.
The other thing that hits me are the words about Fr. Moreau’s prayer as he was dying: “…he wanted the portrait of our venerable Fr. Albini to be place in front of him. He invoked him fervently, considered himself fortunate to have been his friend and recommended himself to his prayers.” I think what it is like when I come upon a picture of someone who I love, and how I pause to enjoy the sentiments that rise within me upon looking at their image. Living or dead – is the love of them that I experience. And rather than deplete me I am filled with a new energy or strength, as well as gratitude to God for giving me all that I have received and more.
There is a small sense of wonder this morning as I look at the daily life of the Oblates and see clearly their humanness and their specialness. I thank God as I see their flaming hearts reaching out to one another and outwards to all the others around me, seen in the light that God shines upon them.
Last night as I watched the sunset, I found myself wanting to cry at the sheer beauty that God was painting across the skies before me. My heart was overwhelmed. This morning I find myself wanting to cry at the sheer beauty of the images of the many in my life and around me; images that God has shown me through the eyes of my heart.
What better way to begin the day and the week!