THIS FATHER IS EVER MORE ADMIRABLE FOR ACTION AND COURAGE

Within the context of the disorder and fear caused by the 1848 Revolution Eugene wrote in his diary:

Letter from Fr. Courtès. This Father is ever more admirable for action and courage. He returned to Limoges at the time of the rioting in order to reassure the newly arrived Fathers who arrived in the nick of time to help in all these disorders. Fr. Nicolas could not have asked better than to retrace his steps.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 4 May 1848, EO XXI

REFLECTION

Yvon Beaudoin provides the background to this Oblate foundation in Limoges:

“The year 1847 marked an important stage in the Congregation’s expansion in France. It took root in two dioceses far distant from Provence: Nancy in the northeast and Limoges in the centre. The second of these foundations “was as if directed by Providence Itself,” wrote Father Ortolan, “because no one had thought of them.” On October 3, Bishop de Mazenod received a letter from Bishop Bernard Buissas, Bishop of Limoges from 1844 to 1856, who suggested he establish a house of mission preachers in his episcopal city. Without success, he had already approached several religious congregations. Since he had heard “many good things about the Oblates,” he hastened to ask for a few priests. The very same day, the Founder wrote to Father Courtès to come as soon as possible to Marseilles because he needed him to “answer a letter of great interest. “Already October 7, he sent an answer to Bishop Buissas telling him that “there does, indeed, exist in the Church a small congregation whose main end is to evangelize the poor and to come to the aid of the most abandoned souls.” He told him that he was sending him some priests at the end of the annual retreat at the beginning of November. On October 19, he designated the personnel of the future community: Father Hippolyte Courtès, superior, Fathers Jean Viala and Scipion Chauliac and Brother Jean Bernard Ferrand. On November 17, accompanied by Father Tempier, they took possession of a huge house, recently constructed, surrounded by a garden that was adjacent to the park of the bishop’s house.

…Father Courtès was only sent to Limoges for the foundation and until Father Melchior Burfin would be free after the parish mission season.” (https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/limoges-1847-1904/)