MY FLOCK IS RAVAGED BY THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC

Posted on September 27, 2024 by franksantucci

I departed in great haste without finishing my visit with you in order to be back amongst my flock ravaged by the cholera. It continues to inflict much harm but, thanks to God, has not attacked up to now anyone of us. Yet we are not without anxiety for our good Father Mounier who is at grips with a high typhoid fever. The sacraments had to be administered to him today. This would be a very great loss for us to bear. It is he who is responsible for the spiritual direction of our numerous Oblates [ed. Eugene always used the word “Oblates” when referring to the scholastics and “missionaries” when referring to the ordained Oblates].

Letter to Father Jean Baudrand in Canada, 30 September 1849, EO I n 124

REFLECTION

There were five cholera epidemics during the time that Eugene was Bishop of Marseilles. Each time, he and his priests cared for and ministered courageously to the victims. Twenty-seven year old Fr Jean Francois Mounier died as soon as Eugene finished writing this letter.

“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” (Theodore Roosevelt)

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One Response to MY FLOCK IS RAVAGED BY THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate says:
    September 27, 2024 at 13:00

    There are two distinct moments as Eugene shares what is happening in his part of France, yet they are both intimately tied to who Eugene is.

    The first is where Eugene writes about having to step out from his visit with Fr. Baudrand due to the call of his flock and the second is about one of his beloved sons who near death and in the grips of typhoid fever and who as Frank noted died as soon as Eugene finished his letter.

    It is not a long stretch to reflect on what this looks like in the year 2024 as we look at the swift increase of conflict in the Middle East, the war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the violence and rage around the world and which tries to infect our own hearts which tremble with fear.

    Eugene’s words of love can apply to all of us who are his sons and daughters in 2024 and onwards. Rather than taking sides we are invited to enlarge the space of our tents, the space of our hearts to invite everyone in. It is in this way that we dare to stand at the foot of our crucifix and to lovingly embrace all those we have called to join us.

    “All we need is love.”

    Reply

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