Eugene’s fatherly advice to the 27 year-old Master of Novices, Fr. Dorey:
Even though you are as young as you are, you must, nevertheless, be a father to your novices, you must be close to them in their difficulties and encourage them, but not spoil them. They have to acquire habits of mortification, get used to leading a somewhat hard life, and not seek comforts because we are called to a ministry which does not include any. Insist much on mutual love, on helping one’s neighbour, and especially one’s brothers.
Letter to Fr Eugene Dorey, Novice Master in Nancy, 15 October 1848, EO X n 990
REFLECTION
Eugene had learnt the approach of being close to people from his own experience of guides being close to him in his times of need. As a youngster he had Don Bartolo Zinelli, as a seminarian he had Frs Duclaux and Emery, then his Uncle Fortuné just to mention a few. It was the attitude he lived by.
“Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.” (Sidney Hook)
I think of the first Easter morning and how Mary recognized Jesus as he said her name… She called him “Rabbouni” which is a term of respect and means master or teacher of spiritual things. It is also a term of endearment, of love… I think of the disciples and followers of Jesus who were loved, and in particular Saul who became Paul – moments of conversion and transformation that were ongoing and filled with immense love.
Eugene – he loved the poorest of the poor, and he taught and loved his sons that he sent out with their small “Rule of Life” that would guide them and help them to love and teach all those they were sent to… Now Eugene invites all of his sons and daughters to come together and learn from each other, to share our own charisms as we stand together in the light of his shared charism.
I think of my own teachers, some from many years ago and others who walk with me now, and how we are called to be elders and grandmothers: there are many ways to be friends, family and community. I find tears filling my eyes as I think of those who I am drawn to serve and how we lovingly serve each other. Small things that grow and become so extraordinary.
Praise be Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate.