The call and the presence of the Lord among us today bind us together in charity and obedience to create anew in our own lives the Apostles’ unity with him and their common mission in his Spirit. (Constitution 3)
From the first moment that Eugene proposed his Missionary vision, two hundred years ago, the fundamental model, or blueprint, that was to be followed would never be changed. Their entire missionary existence was based on that of Jesus and the apostles.
The pattern of the relationship of each one with Jesus, their relationships between themselves, and their missionary goals and methods had to be those of Jesus and his disciples as described in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles.
The missionary, being specifically called to the apostolic ministry, should aim at perfection. The Lord destines him to show forth anew, amongst those of his own time, the marvelous things that were done of old by the first preachers of the Gospel.
He ought then to walk in their footsteps while being firmly persuaded that the miracles he must do are not the effect of his eloquence but of the grace of the Almighty who will communicate himself through him with all the more abundance if he is more virtuous, more humble, or, to say it all in one word, more holy
Letter to M. Viguier, 6 January 1819, EO VI n 38
The plan continues unchanged until today according to our state of life and circumstances.
