THAT IS TOO MUCH FOR SOMEONE WHO MUST NOT PREMATURELY KILL HIMSELF

From the moment that the missionaries had embraced the Oblate charism, they were filled with zeal to evangelize. Fr Dassy certainly was no exception:

It is true, my dear Father Dassy, that it is a long time since you have written to me, but I know how to sympathize with the occupations of a man who has to preach 105 times in one month. Only I allow myself to point out to him that that is too much for someone who must not prematurely kill himself. Even if you say you do not feel tired, it is too much.

Dassy was the superior of the mission house in Nancy (which also served as the novitiate) and needed to curb his zeal and be more present to accompany the young Oblates entrusted to his care and to initiate them into ministry.

So do not tire of giving good formation to the men I send you. I sent Fathers Depetro and Michelier to Nancy only in the hope that you would give them your care, but if you are continually on the go, I am mistaken in my expectations. So program some time for yourself and attend to this duty which is meant to produce happy results for the Church and the Congregation.

So it is said that you will never take one of our young Fathers with you to initiate them into our ministry! That is intolerable. Do all you can to break the ice. Be sure to tell these pastors that you are frugal by profession and that it will not be much of an expense to have at their table one missionary more. I see this as very important.

Letter to Fr Toussaint Dassy, 18 September 1848, EO X n 987

REFLECTION

“You’ve got to know what you want. This is central to acting on your intentions. When you know what you want, you realize that all there is left then is time management. You’ll manage your time to achieve your goals because you clearly know what you’re trying to achieve in your life.” (Patch Adams)