WE MUST LEAVE OURSELVES IN THE HANDS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND PRAY GOD TO DIRECT EVENTS

Posted on August 3, 2023 by franksantucci

In the previous entries I have gone into a fair amount of detail on the question of the nomination of Bruno Guigues as the first bishop of Bytown, later known as Ottawa. I did this, firstly, because it opens an important chapter in the history of the missionary expansion of our Mazenodian Family.

These letters also show the deep faith of Eugene in God’s guidance and his way of making difficult decisions. He shared with and listened to the opinions of people whose opinions he respected: Bishop Bourget of Montreal, the Oblate General Council, Oblate Bishop Guibert, and Bruno Guigues himself among many others. He also listened to the fears and disagreement of the Oblates in Canada and showed them that he understood how they felt. As Founder, Eugene was aware of the bigger picture of the good of the Church and of the Oblate Congregation. Putting his trust in God, through constant prayer, he went ahead with approving the nomination – and his insight was to prove to have been the correct one that was to bear much ongoing fruit in the future.

We must leave ourselves in the hands of divine Providence and pray God to direct events according to his good pleasure and not according to the pretentious claims of people.

Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 8 March 1822, EO VI n 81

REFLECTION

May we learn from Eugene the need to listen, consult, pray and rely on God’s guidance – today we call this the “synodal way.”

The spirit of the Oblate Constitutions and Rules applies to the ministry of all members of the Mazenodian family, according to their particular state:

“Our life is governed by the demands of our apostolic mission and by the calls of the Spirit already dwelling in those to whom we are sent. Our work makes us dependent on others in many ways; it requires real detachment from our own will and a deep sense of the Church” C25

“In major decisions and in matters concerning the life and mission of the whole community, there will be a process of discernment conducive to consensus” R26a

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One Response to WE MUST LEAVE OURSELVES IN THE HANDS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND PRAY GOD TO DIRECT EVENTS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    August 3, 2023 at 13:10

    It seems at times as if my faith is being shaken and tossed around – by others and I can’t quite jump up and catch it. It is definitely not the time to question it, but rather to be drawn into a deeper trust in God. This seems to happen when my heart is touched by another who I love and I recognize the pain that they are going through. And even as I sit here with Eugene there is a small measure of grace as I realise that it is not about the pain itself, but rather about my response (or reaction) to the pain.

    I think of Eugene and how he continued to ask the question “what did Jesus do?” He lived out of the response as was given to him and expressed in the Oblate Constitutions and Rules. I think of Eugene’s invitation to Henri Tempier: “My dear friend, read this letter at the foot of your crucifix with a mind to heed only God and what is demanded in the interests of his glory and of the salvation of souls…” and I think of Mary’s response in standing at the foot of the cross as Jesus was dying, her response to the crucifixion of her son…

    Somehow, I always find myself consoled with the “spirit” of the Oblate Constitutions and Rules and how I try to make them a part of my being. This beautiful gift given by the Spirit and shared by Eugene with all of his sons and daughters: each of the constitutions and rules popping up to lovingly direct me…, foundational steppingstones in who I am becoming…

    Obedience! One of the foundations of my life which I offered quietly to God when Jesus first told me that I was loved, and that I belonged to Him. I am slowly but surely becoming fruit of God’s love for others – all others with whom I can identify and recognize the Spirit within them.

    LJC

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