THEY MUST FIND WITH US A TRUE FAMILY, BROTHERS AND A FATHER; WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO REPRESENT DIVINE PROVIDENCE TO THEM

Posted on March 20, 2024 by franksantucci

It seemed that Eugene had been unable to find a new Novice Master and so changed his mind and appointed Fr Dassy, to whom he had previously written: “a Master of Novices who must be considered a saint in his own novitiate, but also a good father.”

I want to confide the novitiate to you. Take firm resolutions that, to the regularity that you must exact from each, you add a great degree of moderation, much goodness, and fatherly sentiments for those who, faithful to the voice of the Lord, leave their country and their family, and give up everything to consecrate themselves to the service of the Church in our Congregation.

They must find with us a true family, brothers and a father; we have the obligation to represent Divine Providence to them. Never deviate from these principles.

My dear son, I am a bit afraid of your natural temper, a certain severity of manner, reactions that are too quick and too cutting. The Master of Novices must in a way be unaffected, must always act reasonably. If, unhappily, he were only once perceived to be unjust, the confidence in him that must be retained always would disappear.

Letter to Fr. Toussaint Dassy at Nancy, July-August 1848, EO X n 983

REFLECTION

The Master of Novices has the particular responsibility of inspiring and accompanying the young men on their journey of becoming missionaries imbued with the spirit and charism of the Oblates. While not having the title of “master of novices” all leaders of communities and groups within the Mazenodian Family have this role: to create a true charismatic family.

” A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron.” (Horace Mann)

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One Response to THEY MUST FIND WITH US A TRUE FAMILY, BROTHERS AND A FATHER; WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO REPRESENT DIVINE PROVIDENCE TO THEM

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associates says:
    March 20, 2024 at 12:09

    The Holy Spirit did not limit her gifts to Eugene with the Charism, but also shared great wisdom upon him throughout his life. In his letter to Fr. Dassy he describes how true community works as being more than ruling over the novices.

    When as a child we did something wrong and my mother would say that when our father got home he would “read us the riot act” (his rules and what would happen if we broke them) and we knew what would happen. Once that becomes the norm then we find ways to drown out everything – the good and the bad. We find ourselves fighting for survival rather than life.

    I want to accord the title of “Teacher” to Eugene, because he was, as are many of his sons and daughters through whom the Spirit speaks – not demanding adherence to a particular law, but rather who affirms and models love, those true witnesses of love.

    It is never about our own small ways of being, but rather it is about the Lord and Master of all life whom the Spirit confirms and inspires. If we are called to receive the gift of leadership, then we become loving servers who accompany all others we meet. It is in this manner that we lead all to become human, first of all, then Christians and finally help them to become saints…

    Reply

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