CLOSENESS TO THE POOR BRINGS WONDERFUL CONSOLATION TO THE MISSIONARY (Constitution 8)
We will always be close to the people with whom we work, taking into account their values and aspirations.
Constitution 8
Eugene’s diary is filled with descriptions that show his closeness to his flock. Some examples:
Confirmation for a poor woman who was in great pain as she lay on her mattress on the fourth floor. How it pains my heart to see people suffer in that way, but also, what a consolation to be able to bring them relief by my words and by the graces of my holy ministry!
Diary, 28 December 1838, EO XIX
At that time, the bishop was the only one allowed to minister the sacrament of confirmation:
Confirmation in my chapel of two soldiers who are about to leave for the Crimea.
It would be interesting to make a list of the [special] Confirmations that I have the occasion to do in the course of the year (independently of the general Confirmations), either in my chapel, or in the hospitals, or in the homes of the sick to whose bedside I am continually being called. There would be good reason to give glory to God for inspiring me to perform this duty assiduously, to the great benefit of so many souls.
I admit that, as far as I am concerned, this truly pastoral ministry fills my soul with a holy joy and is a consolation to me, the real recompense for the accomplishment of this duty. That is especially true when I am called to the bedside of the poor as has happened once again today. Nothing can be so touching as the visible signs traced on the faces of all those who rush to the sick person’s dwelling to be present for the bishop’s visit. Sometimes it is necessary to climb to the attic by stairways that are all but impracticable. However, these stairways, which are normally quite dark, are lighted by numerous lamps placed at a short distance from one another on the steps of these ladders which at times must be mounted by hoisting one’s self with the help of the rope which serves as a railing.
But when once he arrives at the bedside of the sick person, what a feeling overwhelms the pastor who has come to visit his suffering sheep and bestow religious assistance by addressing words of encouragement, or resignation etc. The almsgiving which ordinarily follows the prayer which I say aloud while the sick person is interiorly united with me, is accepted with emotion. It is a day of consolation for the afflicted family and of happiness for the visiting pastor.
Diary, January 13 1856, EO XXII
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Ohhh! These reflections continue to take us deeper, to start to look not only at the outer physical but also the inner spiritual which becomes one with God. Our breathing in and breathing out…
Consolation to us having dared, trusted as we love(d) the poorest of the poor. Eugene who daily received visitors for any number of reasons shares his moments of consolation in being able to go out to the sick and dying. Describing his journey up open stairwells he shares his experience of having mounted a ladder in the dark by hoisting one’s self “with the help of the rope which serves as a railing.” I am reminded for a moment of the Good Shepherd looking for the lost sheep who were lost as he allowed himself to be mounted on the cross.
Eugene’s invitation to share how we are called and sent out with the sacraments and to “be with” those who are unable to attend church and are alone. I think of Albert Lacombe OMI and his brothers who ministered and walked with the Indigenous Peoples of our land. They were not perfect but rather human beings who felt called to give their all for and to our crucified Saviour.
I and a few like-mined souls who met with each other during the Synodal process stepped out of our comfort zones to request approval to meet regularly within our parish walls so as to share our experiences of God with each other. It was approved even though we continue to be reviled, along with our Church by a few. All are welcome…
“I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.” (Dan Schutte). We are all called to seek out God and to love, without boundaries or walls.