The father of the Oblate family recalled with emotion his 27 years of association with the newly-orained Bishop Bruno Guigues since his admission to the novitiate in 1821.
Oh, how I would have pressed you to my heart, my dear son, whom I received so young into our family, whom I have seen grow in age, in knowledge and in virtue, whom I have chosen to be my “other ego”, in whom I have put all my confidence to govern a considerable portion of this family that I have sent so far from me to serve the Church, the glory of God and the salvation of souls. I was thus preparing, without knowing, your accession to the sublime dignity to which the will of God has called you.
Being a Bishop changed nothing of his Oblate roots and identity. Eugene encourages him to stay faithful to all that has helped him as a religious now that he is a successor of the apostles.
Fear nothing, dear friend; a missionary Bishop who wishes to be faithful to his vocation and keep the spirit thereof and even, inasmuch as possible, the life-giving practices which were so useful to him in the course of his apostolic life, this Bishop is in possession of the “bonum opus” [ed. the good work] which he has not desired but from which he will derive all the benefit that the first bishops of the Church knew how to profit from, those to whom the Apostle Paul gave his own example and counsels.
Letter to Bishop Guigues in Bytown, 25 July 1848, EO 1 n. 99
REFLECTION
“Spiritual identity means we are not what we do or what people say about us. And we are not what we have. We are the beloved daughters and sons of God. (Henri Nouwen)
Bruno Eugene Guigues was consecrated as the first bishop of Bytown (later Ottawa) in July 1848.
It is upon descending from the altar, very dear son, brother and friend, where I have just offered the Holy Sacrifice in union with that which you offer yourself at this time in your capacity as Bishop, in order to draw God’s blessings on you, your diocese and your ministry, that I write these few lines. I do not wish to put off until tomorrow the expression of all the sentiments which fill my heart, transported as I am in spirit to your side at this solemn moment when the Holy Spirit is working such great marvels in your soul. This beautiful day must be so devoted to you that I’m concerned only with you, either before God or with people
Letter to Bishop Bruno Guigues in Bytown, 25 July 1848, EO 1 n. 99
A month later, Eugene once again expressed his sentiments to his “friend, brother and son” on the day of the consecration:
My very dear friend, brother and son… I was united to the great event enacted at Bytown, the 25th or 30th. I was present to such an extent that you can say you were consecrated by four bishops, for the heart goes out farther than the arms can stretch; and it was with the Pontifical [ed. The missal used for the ceremonies of bishops] before my eyes that I called upon you all the blessings implored by the Church for the new elect.
Letter to Bp. Bruno Guigues, 25 August, 1848, EO 1, n. 101
REFLECTION
“The heart goes out farther than the arms can stretch.” (St. Eugene)
Continuing his fatherly letter to Fr. Henri Faraud, he asks for his news and establishes a tradition that he expected each Oblate in the foreign missions to follow faithfully: to write a letter to him every six months.
Why then, dear son, when Fr. Aubert writes to me, do you not add some lines to his letter or, better still, why not write directly and tell me about yourself and narrate what you have done for the glory of God? Twice a year, there being no means to correspond more frequently, is not difficult to manage and you would give me so much pleasure, so much benefit.
You know me little if you do not know how much I love you. Make up, dear child, for your past negligence by putting down your story for me since your departure for the missions until the day your letter is dated. For that you take a large sheet of paper and you write on all four pages and more if necessary or continue in a second letter from the place your story leaves off. There is no detail to which I am indifferent. All that comes to me from my dear children interests me to the highest degree. Give me this pleasure, my dear Fr. Faraud. I ask you this in return for the good I wish you, for the friendship and the paternal love I have for you.
Letter to Fr Henri Faraud in Canada, 10 May 1848, EO I n 95
REFLECTION
” Music has seven letters, writing has twenty-six notes” (Joseph Joubert)
Eugene certainly knew the music of corresponding with those he loved. His canonization indicated that the “music” continues today in our relationship with him.
My dear Fr. Faraud, there is a father beyond the great lake whom you must not forget; know that you are always present to him, whatever the distance which separates you from him, not only at the holy altar where each day he offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the family and all the members of which it is composed but during the day’s routine and in the frequent conversations wherein the names of his children, their ministry, their strenuous labours and all the good they do never cease to be present to his memory and on his lips.
Twenty-five year old Henri Faraud had begun his theological studies in Marseille, but was then sent as a scholastic to Canada in 1846. He continued his theological studies while learning some of the indigenous languages and was ordained a priest a year later. He was to spend the rest of his life working with the First Nations peoples and to be ordained as Bishop of Athabaska-Mackenzie.
[…] Adieu, my dear son, may the Lord pour his most ample blessings upon you, on your brothers and on your holy ministry. May he render you ever more worthy of your sublime vocation and heap upon you spiritual consolations in recompense for the trials that you endure for His glory and the salvation of the souls He has redeemed with His precious blood. I bless you likewise with all my soul.
Letter to Fr Henri Faraud in Canada, 10 May 1848, EO I n 95
REFLECTION
Eugene’s reminder of his spiritual fatherhood was a constantly expressed throughout his life. Today I believe that those words are still true for each of us, members of his charismatic family: “there is a father in heaven whom you must not forget; know that you are always present to him.” May we never forget that he intercedes for us.
St. Eugene de Mazenod, pray for us.
The Oblates had been in Canada for 7 years and were zealous in responding to the challenges of preaching the Gospel to as many people as possible. This meant that they were not living a regular community lifestyle as they were so often on the move and regularly being forced to minister alone – something that worried Eugene who always insisted on the necessity for community life.
I broach with extreme distaste the subject of the conduct of our men in Canada. Too long have my mind and heart been wearied thereby. Several times already I have been on the point of taking a severe decision, for it is not tolerable.
The superior of the community was the one who was meant to maintain unity and care for the welfare of its members. Often the independent-minded young Oblates were not happy with their superior who was human with faults. It was not teh man they were to obey, but what he represented as the figure to inspire people to live by the Oblate Rule.
They are too prone to argue and not enough to obey as conscience demands. Since when must a superior have all the qualities and virtues there are in order to be respected? What authority have the subjects in a community to control his actions, measure his worth and bear judgement on his ability, his experience? When he is punctual and observant of the Rules, has competent knowledge and enjoys the confidence of the Superior General, what more must be asked of him?
Letter to Eugene Guigues, 22 May 1848, EO I n. 97
REFLECTION
Leadership is not about being the best. Leadership is about making everyone else better.” Author unknown
The foreign missions were a challenge for Eugene. The Oblates who went to Canada and Ceylon were very young and had not received sufficient years of human and missionary formation and needed guidance. Letters from Marseilles took months to reach them, but it was the only way that the Founder could encourage them. He constantly urged them to use two fundamental principles to keep them focused: their Oblate superior and faithfulness to the Oblate Rule.
I recommend that you seek ever to be united amongst yourselves and to have the greatest deference for those who stand in the place of God […]
Secondly, and most important, the Oblate Rule of Life that synthesized and applied the Gospel to every aspect of the Oblate life.
Ah, if only one would reflect a little more on the Holy Rules that the Church has given us, how many faults would be avoided and what progress would not be made in the way of perfection!
Letter to Fr Augustin Gaudet in Montreal, 29 April 1848, EO I n 94
REFLECTION
Augustin Gaudet had written to Eugene on the eve of his departure as a foreign missionary:
” Besides, I will bring my Rule Book. It contains your saving advice, your will, all that your heart contains. You shall therefore always be present with your son, I shall read it often and I shall often press it to my lips. It will be my refuge and my consolation in suffering. I am convinced that I shall sanctify myself by the Rule and that is through it that I shall sanctify souls. I swear fidelity to it and love forever…” (https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/gaudet-augustin/)
As a member of the Mazenodian charismatic family, do I recognize my spirituality and mission in the charism and way of life expressed in the Oblate Constitutions and Rules? For the Missionary Oblate priests and brothers, it is our Rule of Life that sheds light on our every action. For the lay members of the Family, the parts that apply to their state of life are meant to be light and life-giving.
Writing to Fr Augustin Gaudet in Canada, who was 26 and had been ordained a couple of days before setting out for his mission, Eugene exclaimed:
I am so glad to see that you are happy. I conclude from this that you will be blessed by God. “God loves a cheerful giver” [ed. 2 Corinthians 9:6]
Letter to Fr Augustin Gaudet in Montreal, 29 April 1848, EO I n 94
In September of the previous year, on the day before Augustin’s departure, Eugene had written in his diary:
Nothing could be more admirable or more lovable than these generous missionaries. How kind they were in expressing their affection for me! They are worthy of all my love. I can say that I am overwhelmed with joy to be able to see what God’s grace has made of them. […] Truly, it’s enough to weep with joy to have men of this calibre in our congregation.
Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 24 September 1847, EO XXI
REFLECTION
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Bishop de Mazenod was a busy man who took care of the Oblate Congregation at the same time as the Diocese of Marseilles. In between his many activities he attempted to write letters to the Oblates.
My dear Fr. Semeria, look how much I have been able to write to you between May 9 to 11, when I take up again, I will not say my pen, which I have never put down since that time, but the letter that was intended for you. During the interval I have written to the whole of North America.
The missionary opportunities in Canada were rapidly opening up as the needs were perceived more clearly and loudly: thousands of people whose faith needed reawakening or who had never heard the Gospel. Eugene wanted to respond but did not have sufficient men to send. The young Oblates, who had not finished their formation and studies, were rearing to go and promised to complete in Canada.
On this very day four of our Brothers and a Lay-Brother are to embark for Canada. They have among them only one priest, a deacon on whom I conferred the diaconate the second day after I had made him subdeacon, and two in minor orders. These last two have not yet begun their theology – Fr. Allard will have the responsibility of teaching it to them at Longueuil; the deacon has only done one year’s theology. You will say that we are eating our wheat while it is still green, but it is not true: they will do their studies as well at Longueuil as here, and they will acclimatise themselves to the country as they learn the languages. Also, it was necessary to take advantage of the opportunity of a ship that was leaving Marseilles to go direct to Boston and offered us the advantages of saving five or six hundred francs a head.
To Fr. Étienne Semeria in Jaffna, 9 May 1848, EO IV n 3
REFLECTION
Eugene’s zeal for the salvation of souls led him be optimistic in his plans for these men and their desire to have the opportunity to learn the local language and to absorb the culture. Their own zeal to evangelize often meant that their promises to complete their studies did not take priority and were often not fulfilled. Eugene was later to realize his mistake and to insist on the completion of the formation process before being sent on mission.
Our vision today: ” From a personal and coherent faith vision, scholastics will be able to present Christ’s Gospel in such a way that it reaches and touches the hearts of their contemporaries. Above all, they will interiorise in prayer what they study and begin to live what they learn, so that they will be credible signs of the message they are to preach.” (CC&RR Rule 66 b)
The Bishop of Montreal’s diocese was enormous, leading him to the decision to ask for a part of it to be cut off to form a new diocese: the Diocese of Bytown (today Ottawa). To lead this new diocese he had suggested the name of Father Guigues, who had proved himself a capable superior of the Oblates in Canada. Initially, Eugene was against it because he relied so heavily on the leadership skills of Guigues to maintain unity of life and mission amongst the Oblates. Eventually Eugene saw the possibility of Guigues continuing to be the Oblate superior while being bishop. In this way the tradition of the Oblate bishop being the “provincial” superior of the Oblates began – a practice which was to last around a century.
The Oblates were unhappy about this course of events, as Eugene’s letter to Bishop Bourget shows:
Do you believe, Monseigneur, that I need not even the briefest letter from you after you have seen the storm which struck me as the aftermath of the resolution you had taken and which my confidence in you had induced me to second? I have had a very bad time because of the kind of vortex which seems to have had everybody’s head whirling. I shall not characterize the conduct of your clergy for to express what I thought of it would perhaps grieve you but I will tell you that all our missionaries without exception, seized by I know not what obsession, had lost their wits… The fact is that in the end I was obliged to write a most severe letter in order to put an end to all this turmoil.
Finally, Eugene reminds Bishop Bourget that he has a special role in the life of the Oblates and calls on him to reassure the Oblates that the appointment of Guigues as Bishop of Bytown would be a positive step and would not signal the destruction of the Oblate mission..
I need not remind you that more than ever you must be the Father of our Oblates of Mary. They feel weakened by the election of their superior to the See with which you have entrusted him. Help us as well as him to pacify them and reassure them as I have not ceased to do from this side.
Letter to Bishop Bourget of Montreal, 12 February 1848, EO I n 93
REFLECTION
“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” (John F. Kennedy)
In earlier entries https://www.eugenedemazenod.net/?p=5368 and following) we had met the Canadian Father Pierre Fisette, who had been sent to work in France. He was a very likeable person, but his vanity, lack of piety and prayerfulness had worried Eugene, who despaired of his behavior. Yet Eugene persevered in being a loving father and accompanied him. Eugene’s perseverance paid off, as we see in this letter he wrote to Bishop Bourget of Montreal.
Shall I add a few words about the Canadians over here? Fisette has remained with the Trappists after having passed through the Chartreuse. He has been a novice for some months at Aiguebelles.
[…] I pray God that Fisette will persevere with the Trappists. He has written to me several times and I to him for he retains for the Congregation and for me personally an extraordinary affection. Poor child! I love him ever so much. He has a good heart and one should add that he has shown great generosity in being ready to assure his salvation by a way that is so difficult. This is heroism. Pray, Monseigneur, also for him and never forget me before the Lord in return for the veneration and the friendship I have for you.
Letter to Bishop Bourget of Montreal, 12 February 1848, EO I n 93
REFLECTION
Fr. Fisette’s conversion was not a flash in the pan. He remained a Trappist monk for thirty years until his death in the Trappist monastery that he had founded in Staouéli in Algeria.
Saint Monica prayed for seventeen years for her son’s conversion and when it happened was able to say: “Son, for my own part I no longer find joy in anything in this world. What I am still to do here and why I am here I know not, now that I no longer hope for anything from this world. One thing there was, for which I desired to remain still a little longer in this life, that I should see you a Catholic Christian before I died. This God has granted me in superabundance, in that I now see you His servant to the contempt of all worldly happiness. What then am I doing here?”
