We have seen how God’s providential invitation to send missionaries to Canada had been welcomed by the Oblates. Eugene gave Fr Courtès the latest news:
The response to the question I put has been unanimous. Moreover I have received a great number of letters which express to me the special attraction that they feel for this mission. I will therefore not have any difficulty except about the choice that will have to be made. It is agreed that I send four priests and two brothers to staff our establishment in Montreal…
Such, my friend, are all the details I can give you about this important mission. I hope that God will bless it and I think as you do that it will be advantageous for the Congregation.
Eugene then addressed the question of who should be chosen to be sent.
Now the difficulty will be to form this new community. The ones chosen must prove to be men capable of proclaiming the Word of God and good enough to be presentable to the clergy of Montreal which is not without merit. It will be necessary therefore to impose sacrifices on other communities. Readiness to accept a great mission is not enough. We must know how to face the consequences of such a decision.
Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 11 August 1841, EO I n 3
A reminder of Jesus’s words:
“Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him.” (Luke 14:27-29)
Zeal and enthusiasm is not sufficient to see any of our good projects carried through.
They are produced in a spirit of prayer in the presence of this icon, so I do hope that you do get some insight or inspiration from them sometimes.
Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, Father Ron Rolheiser, invites you to a lecture and an online retreat.
