We have seen how the Oblates had established a community of missionaries in Limoges. Fr Hippolyte Courtès, who knew the spirit of the Founder, had been sent temporarily to launch the project. A member of that community, Fr Jean Viala, had written to Eugene to express that he was unhappy in Limoges and that the climate did not agree with him. Eugene responded:
I was very consoled, my dear Father Viala, to learn from your letter all the good you have accomplished in the diocese of Limoges. How is it, then, that you are asking me to withdraw you from there? Is it because you are suffering, but where is that not the case?
… You’ve allowed yourself to get too preoccupied, and, by not reminding yourself that we ought to be where Providence has placed us, you have given in to feeling worn out, and that’s the problem. But, my dear friend, think about our position with the Bishop of Limoges. He writes me letter after letter urging me not to delay a moment in fulfilling the obligations we have contracted, he needs at least six capable missionaries, and it’s just when Father Courtès has withdrawn…
In God’s name, my dear Father, calm your state of mind with the help of supernatural thoughts.
Letter to Fr. Jean Viala at Limoges, 21 June 1848, EO X n 979
REFLECTION
Serenity comes from being in a loving relationship with God’s providence and allowing this to fill our thoughts.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
The situation in Limoges was tricky. As Eugene tried to find the right Oblates to respond to these challenges he was faced by the reality of human weakness.
If the Bishop had been less urgent, less threatening, let us say, in his demands, I would not have abandoned adopting the project that you proposed as feasible to me, that is, to give this mission to the care of Father Viala. The Father does indeed lack some things to do the task well; but since we can get used to him, and he does succeed rather well, it could have been achieved by persuading him that he must be more faithful to the Rules which govern the family and that he himself is to observe well that which he is obliged to have others observe.
Our Constitutions and Rules are intended to guide us in living our mission in accordance with the God-given spirit given to our Founder. Genuine fidelity to them covers our human weaknesses and foibles and ensures that we be God’s instruments to the people entrusted to our care. This was also to apply to Fr. Burfin with his impetuous personality
But everything was settled, and unless Father Burfin was to be left where he was, it was no longer possible to come back on what had been said. He did not prove very courageous in the proposal he made to you, together with Father Nicolas, to leave the situation and go back. That is a bad beginning. How is he going to pilot this ship which needs a good cool-headed pilot, who does not at the first commotion take an extreme position that compromises the very existence of a newly established foundation, that has been so well directed up to now. Of course, we have no choice.
Letter to Fr Hippolyte Courtès, 5 May 1848, EO X n 975
REFLECTION
“Successful leaders see the opportunities in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity.” (Reed Markham)
Dear Courtès, I admire always more (that does not mean that I am surprised) your activity and your courage. Your conduct since you have been entrusted with the difficult mission of Limoges is beyond all praise. You have shown what you can be, and I bless the Lord a thousand times that I gave you this trust, to show everybody what are your resources of mind and heart when you apply yourself to the task at hand.
Fr Courtès had been a member of the Founder’s Youth Congregation since 1817 and had been one of the first vocations to become a Missionary of Provence. He was Eugene’s confidant and friend throughout his life. Timid and prone to pessimism, he spent most of his life as the superior of the community in Aix en Provence. He had been chosen to start the first Oblate community in Limoges because it was a challenging foundation with much opposition from the local clergy. Courtès, who had imbibed the spirit of Eugene, was the right person to begin the new community on a sound footing according to our charism.
What a difference in comparison to that sedentary life that was so insufficient for a soul so full of energy like yours! And so I would regret to see you return to that quiet life which neutralizes a great part of the qualities you possess, and that I had wanted many times, but vainly until now, to have you in a situation to deploy them.
It makes me happy to be able to tell you that I approve in every way all that you have done since I gave you the direction of our establishment at Limoges. I only feared at times that you did not give enough care to your health, but the Lord has shown us that he comes to the help of those who have in view only his glory, and the success of the holy ministry entrusted to them. I do not gloss over the difficulties you will have to bring those who will succeed you to your ways of doing things.
May 6.
I am tired out. I do not remember what I wanted to add. Guess who turned me away from finishing my letter yesterday? Your father and your sister came to see me on purpose to tell me their fears for you. I reassured them by showing them your letter.
Letter to Fr Hippolyte Courtès, 5 May 1848, EO X n 975
REFLECTION
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
Within the context of the disorder and fear caused by the 1848 Revolution Eugene wrote in his diary:
Letter from Fr. Courtès. This Father is ever more admirable for action and courage. He returned to Limoges at the time of the rioting in order to reassure the newly arrived Fathers who arrived in the nick of time to help in all these disorders. Fr. Nicolas could not have asked better than to retrace his steps.
Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 4 May 1848, EO XXI
REFLECTION
Yvon Beaudoin provides the background to this Oblate foundation in Limoges:
“The year 1847 marked an important stage in the Congregation’s expansion in France. It took root in two dioceses far distant from Provence: Nancy in the northeast and Limoges in the centre. The second of these foundations “was as if directed by Providence Itself,” wrote Father Ortolan, “because no one had thought of them.” On October 3, Bishop de Mazenod received a letter from Bishop Bernard Buissas, Bishop of Limoges from 1844 to 1856, who suggested he establish a house of mission preachers in his episcopal city. Without success, he had already approached several religious congregations. Since he had heard “many good things about the Oblates,” he hastened to ask for a few priests. The very same day, the Founder wrote to Father Courtès to come as soon as possible to Marseilles because he needed him to “answer a letter of great interest. “Already October 7, he sent an answer to Bishop Buissas telling him that “there does, indeed, exist in the Church a small congregation whose main end is to evangelize the poor and to come to the aid of the most abandoned souls.” He told him that he was sending him some priests at the end of the annual retreat at the beginning of November. On October 19, he designated the personnel of the future community: Father Hippolyte Courtès, superior, Fathers Jean Viala and Scipion Chauliac and Brother Jean Bernard Ferrand. On November 17, accompanied by Father Tempier, they took possession of a huge house, recently constructed, surrounded by a garden that was adjacent to the park of the bishop’s house.
…Father Courtès was only sent to Limoges for the foundation and until Father Melchior Burfin would be free after the parish mission season.” (https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/limoges-1847-1904/)
Advice to Father Dassy, Superior of a large Oblate community:
You must make it easy for everyone to carry out their duties, avoid appearing to act like a boss and therefore willingly consult those who have been chosen to be your advisers; you must not fail to do this, especially at the times laid down in the Rule, so that you can never be accused of doing things or letting them go according to your whim.
Letter to Fr Toussaint Dassy in Nancy, France, 7 March 1848, EO X n 970
REFLECTION
The task of a leader is to facilitate the achieving of whatever the group stands for. Consultation and listening form an essential part of the picture.
“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
Fr. Dassy was named superior of the new community in Nancy. He was a serious scholarly person and was in charge of a house of 20 people, including young priests and many novices. 28 year-old Fr. Santoni was the novice master, and it seems that the young priests had several differences of opinion with Fr Dassy. He had seemingly complained to Eugene.
Not only Father Santoni but all the young Fathers have the right to make observations to you but always with proper respect and reserve; but you yourself have the duty to conform yourself and to require that others conform themselves to what is written. In case of doubt, you should consult me. All this should be done with a view to the greater good, with all the consideration owed mutually by brothers who are moved by the charity of Jesus Christ and are well brought up. Take care, however, that you yourself set an example of the most scrupulous promptness in all that the Rule prescribes, whether for things or for people.
Letter to Fr Toussaint Dassy in Nancy, France, 7 March 1848, EO X n 970
REFLECTION
Eugene’s response was to refer him to the Oblate Constitutions and Rules, which were meant to be used as a guide for community life and mission.
In this time of synodality, it is interesting to see its spirit reflected in Eugene’s words. Authority has a duty to listen to the opinion of others, no matter how hurtful these may be. In these cases they are to be “moved by the charity of Jesus Christ.” It is not meant to be a subjective exercise, but guided by “what is written.” In this case it is the Gospel as it is reflected in the Oblate Rule, approved by the Church as an expression of the Gospel.
Is this not what synodality is: Listen to one another in charity and be guided by the Gospel.
“Consult your friend on all things, especially on those which respect yourself. His counsel may then be useful where your own self-love might impair your judgment.” (Lucius Seneca)
After only seven years of a growing Oblate presence in England, the results were evident and promised well for the future. As shocked as the Congregation had been at the untimely death of Fr Perron, Eugene saw his influence in the closeness of the Oblate community in heaven which interceded for the missionaries.
Our missions in England are so prosperous that had the revolution not occurred, I would have gone to visit them this year. The good Father Perron has welded them together by his holy death.
They are served just now by Frs. Daly, Tamburini, Naughten, Cooke, Noble, Grey, Walsh, Bradshaw and Hickey. You should know several of these good Fathers as well as Bro. Cauvin whom I am sending this very day to America with four others who entered novitiate after your departure.
Letter to Fr Henri Faraud, in Canada, 10 May 1848, EO I n 95
REFLECTION
Eugene’s confidence in God’s providence gave him the courage to dare the seemingly impossible for the “glory of God, the good of the Church, and the salvation of souls”. Eight of the nine Oblates were local vocations.
“Christ wants not nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible.” (C.T. Studd)
You will not be surprised if I do not make a visit to England as I had planned; but I could not refrain from sending Father Aubert. We have great interests at stake. There is question of accepting a beautiful property for a novitiate, and regulating many other things. He will go to that country at the end of next month, and remain only long enough to establish our houses.
Letter to Fr Ambroise Vincens, 26 April, 1848, EO X n 974
Father Daly, with no consultation, had bought an expensive property in England. He had hoped to collect the money from benefactors and to establish a novitiate to serve the growing number of vocations. This project ended in disaster because to pay the inflated price demanded by the unscrupulous vendor, Fr. Daly was forced to offer the title deeds of Penzance as collateral. After prolonged litigation the decision was given against Fr. Daly and the property of Penzance mission was seized. The Oblates were forced to give up that mission. (See https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/anglo-irish-province-1841-1945/)
REFLECTION
“An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight… the truly wise person is colorblind.” (Albert Schweitzer)
The missionaries were human and, as zealous as they may have been sometimes their human foibles got in the way of their ministry. Father Daly, the founder of the Oblate mission in England had a very poor sense of judgement when it came to finance and acted without consulting people who had experience. Eugene wrote in his diary:
Letter to Fr. Daly. I am astonished at what he permits himself to do without my knowledge. He purchased a house, accepted a new establishment, etc.
Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 30 April 1848, EO XXI
Fr. Daly purchased, without permission of the Superior General, an important property in Ashbourne in the county of Derby in the center of England.
REFLECTION
Eugene immediately sent the experienced Fr. Casimir Aubert to England to take the situation in hand.
“Consult your friend on all things, especially on those which respect yourself. His counsel may then be useful where your own self-love might impair your judgment.” (Lucius Annaeus Seneca)
Father Frederic Perron was 35 when he died of typhus, and had spent three years in England. He had worked in Penzance and then as superior of Grace Dieu in Leicestershire, and then was appointed superior of the community in Everingham, Yorkshire. He was an Oblate on whom Eugene had placed his confidence, and whose death was a cruel blow.
Yet Eugene was able to trust in God: “May the Lord be blessed in all things.”
Father Cooke writes me that our late Father Perron regained consciousness a few days ago, and that he never stopped talking about heavenly things right up to his last breath. This is another cruel loss, especially as we need ten more workers in England. May the Lord be blessed in all things. One more of the chosen of our family is in heaven; the assurance that our departed give us of their eternal happiness is truly remarkable. We can rightly apply to ourselves the words of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori who promised heaven to all who die in his Congregation. We have the same reason for confidence because it is perseverance in faithfulness to the commitment made with God, and the saintly death of all our members whom the Lord has called to himself confirming us in this reassurance.
Letter to Fr Ambroise Vincens at N.-D. de L’Osier, France, 27 February 1848, EO X n 969
REFLECTION
The Book of Leviticus 19:1 states, “Be holy as I am holy,” and shows that the way to ensure this is through observance of the God’s Word. Eugene was convinced that every Oblate who lived by the Rule (which is our particular way of living the Word of God) and had been faithful to his oblation would join the Oblate community in heaven.
Religious life is a way of living our baptism as are all ways of life. All who “have been claimed for Christ our Savior” at baptism can have the same confidence: if we are faithful in life, God will be faithful at the time of our death.
