I departed in great haste without finishing my visit with you in order to be back amongst my flock ravaged by the cholera. It continues to inflict much harm but, thanks to God, has not attacked up to now anyone of us. Yet we are not without anxiety for our good Father Mounier who is at grips with a high typhoid fever. The sacraments had to be administered to him today. This would be a very great loss for us to bear. It is he who is responsible for the spiritual direction of our numerous Oblates [ed. Eugene always used the word “Oblates” when referring to the scholastics and “missionaries” when referring to the ordained Oblates].
Letter to Father Jean Baudrand in Canada, 30 September 1849, EO I n 124
REFLECTION
There were five cholera epidemics during the time that Eugene was Bishop of Marseilles. Each time, he and his priests cared for and ministered courageously to the victims. Twenty-seven year old Fr Jean Francois Mounier died as soon as Eugene finished writing this letter.
“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
Father Baudrand was the superior of a community of three Oblates and Eugene was delighted that they got on well with each other. It weas always his wish that an Oblate community be united in the charity expressed in unity of heart and mind.
I am happy to learn that you are united as one in your house in Longueuil with Fathers Chevalier and Lagier. I wish to God that we had always understood that this union of minds and hearts is a duty from which we should never deviate, but also that the happiness of life depends on its fulfilment.
Letter to Father Jean Baudrand in Canada, 30 September 1849, EO I n 124
REFLECTION
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” (M. Stepanek)
Although the local superiors outside France are only obliged to write to me every three months, I shall be very glad to hear from you more often.
All I ask is that you never write me when greatly perturbed by some opposition or other distress. You can see the disadvantage. It could be that the next day your pain will dissipate, while I, who will share it, will suffer for a month. I have often been caused much sorrow by failure to avoid falling into this error.
I would also wish that all exaggeration be avoided. One must always see questions under their different aspects, speaking to me dispassionately, keeping in mind the good of souls and the true interests of the Congregation. Then I need to be made aware of the issues in such a way that I can grasp them as if I were on the spot.
Letter to Father Jean Baudrand in Canada, 30 September 1849, EO I n 124
REFLECTION
Here we sense the frustration of the Founder who needed to be put in the picture of every mission so that he could be a guide and animator according to the charism God had given him. He had to wait one month for letters to arrive from eastern Canada and a month for his reply to reach them.
His advice of allowing oneself to calm down before saying or writing something after an emotional confrontation or disappointment makes a lot of sense. How often have we regretted our words or reactions the next day when we have calmed down.
First let it be understood that you must never be disquieted or annoyed over the observations that I will sometimes have occasion to make. Be well aware it is never my intention to offend, even when I may speak a little harshly.
Letter to Father Jean Baudrand in Canada, 30 September 1849, EO I n 124
REFLECTION
This recalls some of my elders correcting me with the words, “Believe me, this hurts me more than it hurts you!”
Eugene had strong opinions and a direct way of expressing them. Over the years life taught him to be more diplomatic – but with his Oblates he regarded himself as their spiritual father and felt free to say what was in his heart. He was deeply pained himself when he realized that his words had wounded someone. He was always the first to apologize and to express his love for his sons.
Thirty-five year old Fr. Jean Baudrand had been appointed superior of the community in Longueuil, Canada, and did not feel capable. In the past he had shown an independent spirit but had come to his senses.
Yes, my dear son, it is I who suggested the idea of naming you superior at Longueuil. I do not doubt that the same idea occurred to the Provincial but you will perhaps be glad to know that I judged you likely to give a good account of yourself in this post.
Will you accuse me of a crime to have thought that you have good enough judgement, solid enough piety and love of order and regularity sufficient enough to feel assured that, even though on another occasion you might possibly have had something to be reproached with in the matter of exactitude and fidelity to the Rule. Now you have become a superior and feel the whole weight of responsibility before God, before the Church and before the Congregation, you must preach by your example and stand firm in maintaining regular observance.
Letter to Father Jean Baudrand in Longueuil, Canada, 30 September 1849, EO I n 124
REFLECTION
When we are tempted to think that we are not good enough to fulfil a ministry, let us never forget the promise of Jesus: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
Each day we are bombarded with so many words and noise that we become immune. It is the coherent witness of good people that speaks to us and encourages us.
I have been sorrowfully afflicted on learning that the two young Fathers do not get along with each other as two good brothers should, especially when they find themselves so far from their common father. Oh, that is insupportable! What matters any difference in character when they should have but one heart and one soul? … Maintain firmly the utmost unity between brothers and let charity reign always amongst you. Would you wish to lose the merit of so many sacrifices made for God?
Letter to Fr. Pascal Ricard in Oregon, 10 February 1849, EO I n 110
REFLECTION
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” (Desmond Tutu)
The Oblates in Canada did not have an easy time. Externally, they met with opposition from the local clergy who felt threatened by this group of zealous French missionaries who were having much success in their missions and attracting people. Among themselves, however, the younger missionaries had not received a full formation in community living and the challenges of religious life. Eugene unburdened his heartache (with a large dose of emotional exaggeration because things were not quite as bad as he described) to Fr. Honorat. Eugene was only familiar with the French model of evangelization and initially did not understand that the needs and methods of Canada were different.
You well need that I be able to extend my visitation as far as Canada. It is there and not in France that they have lost the very notion of the religious spirit.
It has reached the stage where I can no longer recognize my work. It was never my idea to make a gift to the Church of a society of insubordinate priests, without deference or respect for their superiors, detractors of each other, grumblers, void of the spirit of obedience, each reserving the right to judge according to his prejudices, his tastes or his repugnances, sparing no one, not only amongst themselves but even before strangers whom they carelessly take into their confidence about the woes they have but would not have if they tried to understand what a religious should be…
The wound must be quite deep and the illness quite chronic if all the recruits I send and who leave full of goodwill soon become as imperfect as the others. I am sickened to the depths of my soul. I hope nevertheless that by the mercy of God the means He inspires me to take will remedy the evil I deplore. I am going to send a Visitor extraordinary with full powers. I am nonetheless, my very dear, believe me, yours very affectionately…
Letter to Fr Jean Baptiste Honorat in Saguenay, Canada, 12 July 1849, EO I n 121
REFLECTION
“Like all best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.” (Queen Elizabeth II)
I see by your letters that in Canada all trace of the first notions of the religious state has been lost…. It is time to call a halt for the disorder has gone too far.
Such are the sorrows which my own children have given me to drink; the sword they thrust, each in his own fashion, pierces my breast ever more deeply, for I can only be consumed with pain in seeing you walk a path so different from that which I have shown you and which alone leads to salvation.
Those who know me ought to understand how painful it is for me to express such sentiments which I would willingly stifle in my heart if the authoritative duty of my office did not oblige me to manifest them. May the good God bless you.
Letter to Fr. Adrien Telmon in Canada, August 1849, EO I n 122
REFLECTION
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” (Khalil Gibran)
Eugene returned to the same theme of young Oblates being sent to missions and not being sufficiently prepared in Western Canada. They were doing primary evangelization with people who had not heard the Christian Gospel before, and mistakenly thought that an initial basic catechesis was sufficient.
We have excellent young men here who only long to go to the native missions. But we are determined to have them finish their theological studies before sending them. Under the pretext that it is not necessary for them to know many things to evangelize the indigenous people, they are sometimes sent too soon into their territories. This is not my idea and however impatient our young people may be, I shall keep them until the end of their studies.
How were you capable of ordaining Brother— as a priest before he knew a word of theology? We had sent him to you so that while studying this indispensable science, he could learn the language at the same time. Who could foresee that you would throw him into the ministry without his knowing anything? It is essential that you take great care of your missionaries and that you finish training those who have been sent to you still young. So refrain from being in too much of a hurry for Brother Tissot. Make him study.
Letter to Fr. Pierre Aubert in St Boniface, Canada, 4 March 1849, EO I n 111
REFLECTION
” The one who goes slowly, goes with soundness, and achieves much” (Italian proverb)
As the Canadian missions were increasing, so was the demand for Oblate missionaries. Eugene had agreed to send scholastics to Canada to fulfil this need, but on condition that they finish their studies in Canada. The demands of the missions did not allow this to happen, and so the missionaries were not properly prepared nor spiritually mature enough. Eugene was thus forced to make a decision to stop this practice.
I cannot in conscience approve the policy you follow in Canada of conferring Orders in advance on youngsters lacking knowledge and who will suffer all their lives from this deficiency in education. So I have decided to send no more members other than those who have finished their studies and who have spent sufficient time within our houses to form themselves in the practice of religious virtues.
I prefer a thousand times to make you wait rather than have you reproach me with not having provided for the needs of our members and with having risked compromising their salvation and that of the souls they do not know how to guide, as well as the reputation of the Congregation. When I consented to send you, at your request, raw Oblate recruits, it was because I was firmly persuaded that you would train them both in ecclesiastical knowledge as well as in piety.
Letter to Bp Bruno Guigues in Ottawa, 25 March 1849, EO I n 114
REFLECTION
The generosity of these young men led them to plunge into a demanding ministry without the necessary skills. It was their salvation and that of others that was in danger.
For us, too, our salvation can be fragile is we do not nourish our faith through reading, reflection and prayer.
