Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us

On his birthday Eugene looked back on 56 years of life, and focused on 26 years of priestly service, seeing them as part of a journey which he began at a sprint but was now reduced to little steps.

At the beginning of my ministry I galloped along. My rate of speed very likely hindered me from seeing dangers scattered on the way, if I remember rightly. At least, I scarcely thought about them; whether through recklessness or preoccupation, I had little fear of them.

Now that I take little steps, it is really different and I count every stumbling block one by one, briars clutch at me from every direction, thorns pierce me to the heart, cold freezes me, heat stifles me, illness weakens me, infirmities weigh me down, morally speaking I mean,

for whereas my body has suffered from excessive work in the diverse ministries, that I have fulfilled for the 26 years of my priesthood, the strength of my temperament has furnished me with vital resources, which can still sustain me even though I am very aware that today I have entered my fifty-sixth year.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 1 August 1837, EO XVIII

A pessimistic thought, perhaps caused by his carriage accident, but which hardly reflected the galloping pace with would be the characteristic of the following 24 years of his energy-filled ministry as Bishop of Marseilles.

On his 56^th birthday, Eugene was spending a few days at his sister’s summer home at St Martin de Pallières. Out on an excursion in a horse-drawn carriage he narrated:

Coming back to St. Martin, my brother-in-law and I tipped over. I hit my head, but my hat saved me and, above all our guardian angels, whom I thanked for drawing me out of the carriage, which was upside down. Without this help from on high, this birthday would have been the last day of my life, but I am sure that at the very moment I was falling, several of God’s friends were praying for me.

For quite some time now, only saints’ prayers have kept me alive. I hope they will help me to work out my salvation which, it seems to me, is daily becoming more difficult.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 1 August 1837, EO XVIII

Eugene narrates the moving experience of ministering to the prisoner condemned to death:

All the prisoners and some other people took part in it. Fathers Lagier and Mille served at the altar. We obtained permission for the condemned man to be freed from some of his irons to be able to come to the chapel. He still had enough chains to make his presence known whenever he made the least movement. Actually, we only heard him when he came in and once kneeling he remained still, reading from his book throughout the entire mass. At Communion time, I moved everyone aside to station him on the lowest altar step. The feast was for him, the honors were due to him since, even though he was condemned to death and weighed down with chains as I saw him, he was then reconciled with God. God had pardoned his crimes; to my eyes he was to be admired, a privileged person for whom the Lord had worked marvels, to whom I was going to give the efficacious means of perseverance, someone predestined who would possibly be in heaven in a few days. Even though several other people were to receive Communion, I spoke only to him. Those words were inspired in me by our divine Saviour Jesus Christ whom I was holding in my hands and they penetrated the very soul of that poor Christian who broke out in tears. I was also moved and tears fell from the eyes of everyone present, even the prisoners who were undoubtedly overjoyed at such a scene and themselves felt the workings of grace on hearing proclaimed the mercies of God in favor of a great sinner, but a repentant one, as they no doubt were themselves at that moment.

After the Mass, I had the condemned man come forward again and spoke to him as an immediate preparation for receiving the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Confirmation that I was to administer to him. His tears did not dry up and it seemed that our hearts were truly ardent when all those marvelous things happened before our eyes through my great ministry. I concluded by giving a blessing with the Blessed Sacrament. They do it sometimes in that chapel, and it was fitting that nothing be lacking in the solemnity of this day.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 16 July 1837, EO XVIII

What an amazing example of treating a person with dignity, as undeserving as the world considered him to be!

Eugene had gone to the city of Gap to perform an ordination, but it was cancelled at the last moment.

But the good God had not brought me to Gap for that reason. In the depths of a jail cell there was a man faced with a public curse, a vile criminal, a scoundrel condemned to death, who was waiting for the final word from Paris to see himself led to the scaffold. This unfortunate fellow, forsaken by men, was not deaf to the voice of the minister of religion who came to bring him a message of peace. He came to his senses, confessed his sins and his dispositions seemed so excellent that the minister reconciled him to God.

Eugene, who always saw abandoned people through the eyes of the Crucified Savior, could not tolerate the injustice of not ministering sacramentally to criminals awaiting execution.

There he is in his cell, concerned only about his salvation. There was nothing more to be done for him except to recommend him to the mercy of God. Such would have wished the horrible prejudice, the barbarian abuse which mercilessly refuses any other religious comfort to a man condemned to death. That there is a divine precept to receive Holy Communion before one dies, that the sinner who is reconciled with God is bound to the obligation of the annual Communion, which is more compelling as each day goes by, has no importance at all to them. No, the custom said it was not proper to give the Body of Christ to someone condemned to death, and would hinder him from fulfilling that great duty and violently deprive him of the right that he had to share in the Eucharist in his terrible situation.

He would have undergone that atrocious injustice if the good Lord had not sent me to Gap. May God be blessed a thousand times! …Meanwhile, I took upon myself the task of sanctioning by my example the doctrine I teach. Today I went to say Mass in the prison.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 16 July 1837, EO XVIII

Eugene’s willingness to give the sacraments to a prisoner condemned to death went against the attitudes of many of the local priests and authorities who were still entrenched in the principles of Jansenism.

That good Father Lagier, all entrenched in narrow minded thinking, was already stunned when he heard me speaking the other day and assured me that he would never have dared to do it, that the very thought of giving Communion to that poor condemned man would never have entered his mind.

To enforce the idea and put him on guard against some insinuations of certain priests, directors like himself at the Major Seminary, who heard me and said nothing, I recounted to him what I did for the famous Germaine who was guillotined at Aix in 1812 or 13. Tears came to the eyes of those priests when they heard the account of the admirable dispositions of that woman to whom I gladly gave Communion on the very morning of her death and who received it with better dispositions than perhaps any of us has had when we went up to the altar. God’s grace made her a hero of virtue.

It is not possible for me to refrain from recording somewhere the details of that beautiful death and the holy preparation that preceded it. I told those priests that the present chaplain of the Conciergerie at Paris fully professes the same teaching on this matter and does the same as I did for poor Germaine. To put Father Lagier at ease, I ended by telling him in the presence of Father Arnaud, the Vicar General, to do as I have done.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 14 July 1837, EO XVIII

“COME AND I WILL SHOW YOU WHO YOU ARE IN THE EYES OF GOD”

These words come from the first recorded sermon of Eugene de Mazenod as a young priest as he began his ministry to the most abandoned in Aix en Provence. They sum up his whole life as Founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Bishop of Marseilles, and his continuing ministry to us today in the communion of saints.

You can accept his invitation as you learn about him in this online course: “Eugene de Mazenod 101” or “Eugenio de Mazenod 101” presented by the Kusenberger Chair of Oblate Studies at Oblate school of Theology in San Antonio. Your guides are Frank Santucci OMI and David Muñoz Lopez OMI.

The aim of this course is:

1/ To help you to gain a deeper knowledge of the life of St. Eugene de Mazenod.

2/ To assist you to understand the charism, mission, and spirituality of St. Eugene de Mazenod.

3/ To see in him and his Mazenodian spirituality a model of holiness that can enrich your life

4/ For members of the Mazenodian Family to be inspired to discover their individual vocation within their specific branch of the Mazenodian Family

The course will be divided into 20 sessions, beginning on March 1. Each session will include a video lecture of around 20 minutes, available to students every 15 days. Supplementary material for each lecture will be available if you want to learn more and go deeper.

For further details go to https://moodle.ost.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=28   

For a video explanation on how to register, please go to: https://vimeo.com/388866679/4aedaaf7b8 

A prisoner condemned to death wished to receive the sacraments, but many clergy followed the Jansenistic practice of not doing this. Eugene was visiting the Diocese of Gap. In the absence of the local bishop, he wanted to bring God’s mercy to this poor abandoned prisoner.

A letter to Father Lagier, a director of the Major Seminary at Gap. It was to repeat to him even more explicitly than I told him the other day that it would be sinful for a director not to give Communion to a condemned man whom he judges to be well disposed, that the French custom, which however is no more general, is nothing but a pitiful abuse which the Supreme Pontiffs have never ceased to denounce…

Empathizing with the suffering of the prisoner, Eugene responded.

I most readily consent to administer the sacrament of Confirmation to such an unfortunate person, but I consider that first he must fulfill the obligation of annual Communion which he certainly neglected, that I offer to resolve the difficulties in order to give it to him myself, for which nothing more is needed than an altar in one of the prison rooms if there is no chapel, or even in the prison cell if necessary; that it be well understood that this Communion is to satisfy the present obligation and there still remains the duty of receiving the Eucharist in danger of death. I hope that this forceful letter based on principle, joined to my other arguments and the strength of my words the other day, will produce their desired effects, and that the poor sufferer will receive all the help he needs and to which he has a right.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 14 July 1837, EO XVIII

Here, in the heart and actions of Saint Eugene we see our Constitution 4 put into action: “Through the eyes of our crucified Saviour we see the world which he redeemed with his blood, desiring that those in whom he continues to suffer will know also the power of his resurrection (cf. Phil 3: 10)”

Eugene was in Switzerland to close down the Oblate community.

Today and every preceding day, whether here or at Fribourg, I have not ceased to hear repeated to me how much people regret to see our Fathers depart.

After seven years of preaching the Gospel to the most abandoned of the diocese, a general appreciation was expressed at what they had generously achieved.

From the Bishop to the last cleric, from the Prefects to the last country people, people say the kindest things, competing to give the greatest praise. All these testimonies of esteem and affection have been expressed with the feeling of most profound conviction. This unanimous manifestation from the whole district is a witness to the good conduct and services of our men and are for them a very much appreciated reward for their work and an immense consolation for me.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 2 July 1837, EO XVIII

Eugene, as founder and as father of the Oblate family, was proud and gladdened by the achievements of its members.

Today, whenever circumstances force the closing of an Oblate site of ministry, the same sentiments are invariably repeated. It is important to remember that the Mazenodian charism is greater than those who bring it, and its spirit remains in the hearts and minds and actions of the people.

In many parts of the world we find groups of lay associates continuing to gather and live the charism of St Eugene for many years after the Oblates have left the site of ministry. The charism of St Eugene belongs to the whole Church and is bigger than the Missionary Oblates.

A letter from my mother in desolation over her grandson. A letter from my sister filled with resignation. A letter from Father Flayol telling me how edified he was with the piety of my nephew, Eugene de Boigelin…

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 22 July 1837, EO XVIII

Madame de Mazenod was unhappy that Louis had chosen the Jesuits and not the Oblates. Eugene was disappointed too, but saw the bigger picture of the decision as a response to God’s call.

Nothing more natural, my dear mother, than the feelings Louis’ decision had brought on you. I understand your upset, and up to a point I share it; but pardon me for saying they are excessive in your case.

After first allowing nature to express itself, one must learn to calm oneself and see things ultimately with the eyes of faith, in a supernatural way.

All things considered is it then a misfortune for us that Louis consecrate himself to the religious life? …But it is not for you or us to decide things like that. To God alone belongs the right to call each one where he will and as he wills. Louis is a wise and reflective person; he is not taking this step without having pondered it in his heart.

… So all this should be an encouragement to you, my darling mother, not to upset yourself as you are doing. Your health must suffer as a result, and that would be sheer futility, as God in his goodness would take no notice and inexorably his will will be done. Let us wait patiently for the explanations Louis gives us, and submit ourselves in advance to a sacrifice that will have its compensations even in this world. Goodbye, darling mother. Do not come to Marseilles before the second week of August. Tender and affectionate greetings.

Letter to his mother, 26 July 1837 EO XV n 188

Letter from my nephew Louis de Boisgelin who informs me of his decision to become a Jesuit. I am not surprised by that resolution, knowing the piety and exemplary life of that young man. I will not oppose his vocation if, as I hope, it is from God. His letter is full of generosity and strength.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 2 July 1837, EO XVIII

The decision of Eugene’s eldest nephew caused havoc in the family, especially with Eugene’s mother, who had been vociferously opposed 30 years earlier to her own son’s vocation.  Now she was reacting strongly to her grandson’s decision.

In his journal he reflected:

A letter to my mother. I told her clearly that it is a matter of my nephew’s vocation. There is nothing for her to be troubled. It is a grace that God is offering him, that much the greater since the way that he is called to follow is more perfect, removing him further from the world and leading him closer to God. We ought to thank the Lord for thus perpetuating the priestly order in our family. My great uncle began with the past century; then came his nephew, the Bishop of Marseilles, then myself. It is very consoling that the fourth generation is furnishing its own.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 20 July 1837, EO XVIII

To his mother he wrote:

… So, my dear Mother, act the Christian in this situation as ever; and if nature suffers, may supernatural thoughts strengthen and encourage you to offer with a good heart to the Lord the sacrifice he is asking of you as of us. God in his goodness will keep for you still the consolation of hearing him preach and hearing his Mass….

Goodbye, dear mother. Looking at the bright side, priests are of infinitely more use to their families, both when their parents are still alive and after their death, [ed. to be able to celebrate Masses for them after their death] than are lay people. Let us bless God for everything. Goodbye. Affectionate greetings.

Letter to his mother, 20 July 1837 EO XV n 187