BUT WHAT A JOURNEY THEY HAVE JUST MADE!

The west coast of North America was opening up to Oblate evangelization with the arrival of four missionaries. (See the entry and the ones that follow in: THE FIRST OBLATE MISSION IN THE UNITED STATES – https://www.eugenedemazenod.net/?p=5355)

These four missionaries had sailed from France in February 1847 and after 54 days at sea arrived in New York. Five months later they finally reached in Oregon.

I have just received a letter from Father Ricard. It is dated August, and they had another 200 leagues to travel before reaching their destination. Our three missionaries, as well as the brother catechist, are well; but what a journey they have just made.

Letter to Fr Toussaint Dassy, 12 February 1848, EO X n 966

(Note that at the time of the Founder the word “missionary” denoted priests, which is why he observes the distinction between missionaries and catechist brother. Since then the understanding of the word “missionary” has changed to include all Oblates and members of the charismatic family who are involved in this ministry)

REFLECTION

With our high-speed travel today it is difficult for us to imagine this missionary journey. Let us pause and think of the physical hardships involved and the courage and perseverance involved. Then let us go deeper and reflect on the psychological challenges: Fr. Ricard was 41 years old and had suffered poor health in France. The three others were in their twenties, two being scholastics who had not yet completed their studies. As they left France and loved ones, they knew that in all probability they would never see them and their country of origin ever again.

Such was the price of their love for God and their missionary zeal for the salvation of people who did not know Jesus Christ. It certainly invites us to reflect and challenges us to look at ourselves and our response to God in our fast-moving instant-gratification world…