FRENCH BLOOD WHICH RAN IN THE STREETS OF OUR CITY HAS COVERED IT WITH A FUNERAL VEIL
On June 22, the Feast of Corpus Christi, Eugene wrote:
During the service, someone came to bring me several very alarming warnings. The rebellious workers had constructed barricades, the main army and the national guard were under arms, etc. I wanted to complete the office of this important day. Upon return to my residence, I learned successively about the disasters of the day. It was only very late that the barricades were removed with the loss of several men.
Our Fathers of le Calvaire and of the Seminary went to the environs of the place of battle in order to give absolution and Extreme Unction to the wounded in danger of death.
I had been tempted to present myself as a mediator, but I was deterred from this by assurances that the rioters would fire upon me. I thus settled for praying to God for everyone.
Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 23 April 1848, EO XXI
Hubenig narrates:
The closing of the ateliers on June 22 sparked massive riots. Known as the June Days, they raged for three days in Paris and spread to many other parts of the country. The army suffered a thousand fatalities, while several thousand workers died in the clashes. In Marseille, where the riots flared fiercely, Bishop de Mazenod cancelled the Corpus Christi procession, stating, “French blood which ran in the streets of our city has covered it with a funeral veil.”
Living in the Spirit’s Fire page 166
REFLECTION
“How do we stop violence, looting, and riots? The way that we stop that is by making sure that people have the things that they need to thrive.” (Alicia Garza)
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There is a sadness that here we have Eugene who is by this time in his late sixties and who has experienced ongoing revolutions in France since he was seven years old.
I find myself thinking of those who no longer have access to shelter, food, water, etc. They are barely surviving which is a long way from living let alone thriving. Many of them are being slaughtered because of their heritage. Yes, I am also thinking of Jesus who was crucified not for his own sins, but for the sins of others.
I have to ask myself who I have rejected in life only because of the pain that I was suffering. Who have I ‘punished’ because of the loss of my own dignity and respect? Who have I deprived of their personhood one way or another?