We will always be close to the people with whom we work, taking into account their values and aspirations.
Constitution 8
One of Eugene’s major ministries after his ordination was to the youth of Aix. Looking back on this ministry, Eugene described how his closeness to them was the rationale of his pastoral success with them as they reacted positively to his initiatives:
… among these youth who looked on me as their father, I only came across souls full of recognition, hearts full of affection that responded perfectly to the tender charity that I felt for them. They loved me to the point that some mothers declared that they would have been jealous had not this sentiment shown the goodness of their children, but that in truth they loved me more than they loved them, their own mothers.
Eugene’s Diary, 31 March 1839, EO XX.
He dedicated every Thursday and Sunday to being with the youth, as well as being available to them when they wanted to speak with him at other times.
If I do not watch out these young people will take all my time. It seems they cannot live without me, and I can really perceive the good that the Lord does them through my ministry.
Letter to Charles Forbin-Janson, June 1814, EO XV, n 125.
Eugene not only gave himself to the poor and to the prisoners, but eventually to his founding community. He began to say Mass very early so that all those who had to work in the fields, or who worked in the houses of the rich would be able to attend Mass. It would seem that his heart was able to recognize all those he met. The youth recognized his love and how he made time for all of them.
My apartment building is home to mostly seniors and some young people – mostly to those who are on fixed incomes. One of my neighbours told another tenant to ask for my help in setting up the ParaTranspo App (for those who are having some mobility issues) because the app on her computer did not work. Long story short – the app would only work if she set up a trip for the next day, and it did not show up on her screen how she wanted it to and why can’t they change it to make work for her. She was not happy; in fact she was very angry – with everyone. So I walked her through the steps and we booked her trip. Then I tried to explain to her that ParaTranspo set it up so that it would work for the majority of people using it and so that he would help them to manage all of the trips – on time. I shared that not all of the cities and towns across our country have a system like ours.
I may have to return to visit her again next Monday. There are so many ways that we can walk in the footsteps of St. Eugene.