THE INFLUENTIAL CLASS OF MARSEILLES SOCIETY

The church of the “Mission of France” was the center in Marseilles where the Jesuits did their works of charity. Their way of doing this reflected and cooperated with the manner in which Bishop de Mazenod responded to the needs of the poor and most abandoned in his diocese: forming groups of laity who focused on a particular sector of society

Mass at la Mission de France, preceded by the reception of a Protestant and by the Confirmation of a certain number of adults. The chapel was filled with 700 men, the greatest number belonging to the influential class of Marseilles society and who all took Communion from my hand. Nothing is comparable to the imposing sight of this fervent assembly and to the recollection which was continuously maintained during this rather long ceremony

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 18 April 1847, EO XXI

REFLECTION

As Bishop, Eugene was concerned with the salvation of every person in his diocese without exception. For him the “most abandoned” were those who did not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, regardless of status and wealth. This ceremony points to a twofold missionary thrust: firstly to minister to the spiritual needs of these men.

Secondly, they were gathered in a church dedicated to generating charitable works for the city. The so-called “highest class” was made up of the wealthy, the industrialists, the factory and farm owners, the philanthropists who guaranteed employment for thousands in the city. By working with them, Eugene aimed at transforming their attitudes and practices. They also formed themselves into associations to work for the welfare of the poor.

Jesus didn’t say, ‘Blessed are those who care for the poor.’ He said, ‘Blessed are we where we are poor, where we are broken.’ It is there that God loves us deeply and pulls us into deeper communion with himself.  (Henri Nouwen)