I CAN NEVER AGREE THAT AN OBLATE BE ALONE WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE COMPANION.

What you must do is to insist with the Vicar Apostolic that he never separate you. You must not give way to contrary arguments that may be put to you. You must make it known that this would be in a way to do violence to your Institute, that you are absolutely obliged to walk about in pairs, and that therefore it is more simple that you should be placed together. It is essential that you should continue to demand that you be left in pairs. If there is only enough for one you must share what there is, but I can never agree that an Oblate be alone without at least one companion.

… Tell him that I will not refuse to send you more subjects when I am asked for them provided they are placed in pairs; but it will always be immensely important that you establish a principal house in one of the main towns

Letter to Fr Etienne Semeria in Ceylon, 25 January 1848, EO IV (Ceylon) n 2

REFLECTION

Because of the shortage of priests, the Bishop wanted to separate the Oblates by assigning each one alone to a parish in Jaffna. This was contrary to Eugene’s understanding that it was part of the Oblate identity to be part of an apostolic community.

“We fulfil our mission in and through the community to which we belong. Our communities, therefore, are apostolic in character.” (Constitutions and Rules, C37)

Our communities are not meant to be self-centered, but missionary

” Faithful to Oblate tradition, the communities will have their heart set on promoting the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate for the formation of lay people and participation in Oblate spirituality and apostolate.” (Constitutions and Rules, R 37b)