IF IT IS GOD WHO INSPIRES IT, HE WILL BLESS HIS WORK, IF NOT, IT WILL FADE AWAY LIKE OTHERS WHICH DO NOT COME FROM HIM

Eugene had always been a promotor of youth ministry and this continued when he was Bishop of Marseille. He noted in his diary an event concerning three of his diocesan priests who consecrated themselves to youth ministry in his diocese.

Mass in my chapel, Reverends Brunello, Guiol and Timon, very good priests, made in my hands the vow to live together in order to devote themselves to the sanctification of youth. According to my custom, I am happy to work with any inspiration which impels to perfection. If it is God who inspires it, he will bless his work, if not, it will fade away like others which do not come from Him.

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

Fr. Timon-David was close to his bishop and was later to start his own Association for Youth and eventually to become the founder of a religious congregation dedicated to youth ministry, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of the Child Jesus.

REFLECTION

“Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any tie, but the ties that bind me to your service and to your heart.”  (David Livingstone)