ON THIS SAME DAY, SOME 22 YEARS AGO, ONE OF OUR MEN ENTERED INTO GLORY
Today I ordained good Father Dorey. On this same day, some 22 years ago, one of our men entered into glory. Father Dorey is worthy to replace him here below.
Letter to Fr. Joseph Arnoux, 20 August 1848, EO X n 985
Eugene never forgot Fr Jacques Marcou. Aged 14 he had been a founding member of Eugene’s youth congregation in Aix. Eugene had watched him grow up and was delighted when Jacques became a Missionary, and a zealous one at that. After three years of priestly ministry he died. Eugene always recalled the day of his death anniversary. Ten years earlier he had reminisced in his diary:
Fr. Marcou still had the strength to come back to Marseilles where I found him on my return from Rome. His condition was desperate; his chest was so affected that there was no hope of recovery. He was convinced, however, that he could still work for the salvation of souls and he was certainly not the one who was least pleased about the success of my journey to Rome where I had just obtained approval for the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary to be recognized in the Church on an equal footing with other Congregations. Fr. Marcou, although quite weak, wanted to be present at the general assembly which I had called to give an account of my mission and of all the good God had done for us. This good priest could scarcely contain his joy because he always expressed the feelings of his beautiful soul in a lively way. He even came down to the church to renew his vows with all the other members of the new Congregation which had been canonically established. His name is inscribed in the register where we all signed the minutes of this memorable meeting. That was the last important act of this life in which he sealed his consecration to God and the offering of his whole being which he had made throughout many years.
Eugene’s Diary, 20 August 1838, E.O. XIX
REFLECTION
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” (Author unknown)
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I find myself smiling at how Eugene allowed God to continue stretching his heart as he shared it with Fr. Arnoux. Eugene was not and had not been blind to Fr. Marcou’s weakness and illness.
In reading about Jacques Marcou’s life and death we see that he did not give up on life, but lived it as fully as he was able all the while accepting his approaching death. Courage, obedience, death, and through that new life. I am reminded of the Cross and Resurrection that we have just lived through and celebrated…
Fully aware of the storm which will begin today with heavy rains that will turn into snow, turn to look outside to see in the lingering darkness the sight of the rising sun reflecting off of all the buildings downtown. A brilliant deep red which is like a gift reminding us that God is with us in the coming days. I minute or so later I look up again and the clouds have deepened and hidden the sun which continues to rise but the walls of the buildings are dark once again with the odd light signalling a new day.
I think of my friend whose life has changed so radically: he has not given into despair, but is adjusting each step so as to continue living… While I have never met him in person, I treasure the memories of him and how he has affected my life and continues to be one of those rare gifts that we are given in life…