AN EXAMPLE OF A HOLY PRIESTLY LIFE

Posted on November 1, 2022 by franksantucci

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Francis of Assisi

“Léon de Saboulin was born in Aix-en-Provence on September 14, 1801… He made his secondary studies at the college of Aix and later on at the lyceum of Lyon. On May 29, 1814, he was admitted to the confraternity of the Youth of Aix which had been founded the year before by Abbé de Mazenod. Three of his brothers followed his example.

When he had finished his studies, Léon wanted to become a priest, but his fragile health and the assistance he had to provide for his mother prevented him from carrying out this project. He remained unmarried and, after the death of his brothers, took care of his mother until she died. He divided his time between study and charitable works.” Yvon Beaudoin ( https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/saboulin-leon-de/)

Eugene had kept in contact with this former member of his youth congregation, who now wanted to become a priest, but suffered poor health.

I have no hesitation in saying that if the health of Leon de Saboulin allows him to recite the Divine Office, he must not be turned away from becoming a priest, but we must allow him great latitude in doing his studies, so as not to exhaust him. He will be able to accomplish much good if only by saying Mass and giving an example of a holy priestly life.

Letter to Fr Hippolyte Courtès in Aix en Provence, 17 July 1846, EO X n 907

Léon de Saboulin “was to give the example of a holy priestly life” for twenty five years of Oblate ministry.

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One Response to AN EXAMPLE OF A HOLY PRIESTLY LIFE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    November 1, 2022 at 11:49

    Accommodating is the word that comes to mind. Eugene and the Oblates were accommodating because of Léon de Saboulin’s health. If there was a formula to follow, Eugene made allowances for the individuals, their challenges and diversities. I am reminded for a moment of the story of Fr. Stu – Fr. Stuart Long in the US, and while it was not exactly as portrayed in the movie, it shows how it is God who does the calling, and how we are led by the Spirit and not the laws set out before us.

    I think of how open and flexible the congregation has been in welcoming the many gifts and diversity of the members of the laity, in my case the committed Oblate Associates, but also the different kinds of association. We have each been invited to experience this with the 2nd Congress of Lay Oblate Associates and the 37th General Chapter.

    I have spent the last two days reading the Working Document for the Continental Stage from Rome “Enlarge the space of your tent” and it speaks over and over again about flexibility and openness. Like Jesus it speaks of letting go of our egos, our own man-made rules and narrow paths. In truth I must note that it was from our local Oblates that I first learned the term ‘synodality’; and from members of the congregation and family around the world that I have shown and taught to walk and live this way of being.

    It will be in the light of this document and way of moving forward in and with the Church that I will make a short presentation to my parish Pastoral Council next week. It is not just a way to fix my perceived wrongs or the wishes that I would like to see happen among us. Rather it is a ‘way of being’ which was evidenced in the early Church. “Forward Together” was the banner of our working groups and coming together during COVID. Like Léon de Saboulin, our oblations call forth what will become the fruit of our lives.

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