Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us

Continuing form our previous entry, we see how Eugene recommended that Louis Dassy not get carried away by his zeal for archaeology. The point he makes is relevant to all of us in our multi-tasking society: do some of our activities take us away from the real focus where we should be placing the best of our time and energy?

I am not absolutely opposed to your accepting to be part of this commission, for the reasons I have alleged, but I request you very explicitly not to establish yourself as the mainspring of this commission and not to be more concerned than the rest about it functioning well. Indeed, to the contrary, due to the duties you have to fulfil and from which I cannot dispense you. I insist that you take a back seat and be on it for giving advice rather than being active.

If you depart from this rule of wisdom, it is I who say that you will soon be like insipid salt, “what if salt loses its flavor”, I say no more, it is up to you to meditate seriously on this text, so that you may be preserved from terrible consequences which all of us must dread.

Thus, even while remaining within the limits I have indicated to you, if you realize that your piety suffers therefrom, your zeal for the salvation of souls is lessening, that you experience some distaste for the great ministry that is proper and characteristic of your vocation, leave aside all the books of science and bury yourself more than ever in the only study that is strictly necessary wherein we are assured of not meeting with disappointment or deception.

Good-bye. my dear child, I am speaking to you as a father, as a superior, as a bishop. I have nothing further except to embrace you and bless you.

Letter to Father Louis Dassy, 29 March 1842, EO IX n 759

In the previous entry we saw how the talented and enthusiastic Fr Louis Dassy had become involved in archaeological pursuits. It was an honor for him that the academic world valued his competence. Eugene, however, was concerned that this young man would lose focus.

Do not think, my dear child, that I am happy about this honour or that I consider this could bring the least glory or advantage to the Congregation. I say even more: if I did not know as I do your activities and your capacity for work, I would consider this incident as something unfortunate, for you would have turned away from your principal ministry, from that which is essentially proper to your vocation and which you could not neglect without lacking in your duties and offending God.

So I have to come to the conclusion that if you feel you could combine the duties of your new job with those of your vocation, that the research, which you may be able to make, serves rather as relaxation than as activity incompatible with the missions, retreats and studies required by this ministry, then I authorize you to respond to the trust that has been placed in you.

But note well, my dear child, that it is your duty first of all to sanctify yourself by advancing in perfection. You will be devoting yourself ardently to archaeological studies which demand lectures, meetings and plenty of time. Weigh all these on the scales of the priesthood and reflect on the quid prodest. etc [Ed: Matthew 16:26 “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”]

Letter to Father Louis Dassy, 29 March 1842, EO IX n 759

For the text: https://sites.google.com/view/mazenodianfamily/monthly-oraison/april-18-2021

Young Father Louis Toussaint Dassy was very talented and full of zeal. He wrote to Eugene on March 19 to wish him for his patronal feast day. He also mentioned that the Arts committee of Paris had appointed him the correspondent of its department for historical works and that the Bishop of Grenoble was going to suggest that he be part of a commission “to draw up a statistical account of the monuments, of the finest buildings in the diocese and of all archaeological matters that could be of interest to religion: Church history, Christian literature and the Arts.”

Eugene commented in his diary:

He expresses, in this letter, the best sentiments of dedication to my person and to the congregation. He then comes to his favorite thought, science, archeology, etc. The minister of public education has sent him, in order to encourage him in his works, a superb work: “Les éléments de paléographie” [The elements of paleography]. He was appointed correspondent of his ministry for historical works.

He sees in this some fortunate results for the glory of our holy congregation, “It is always that you will not see me work with another motive. For the congregation, my spirit, my heart, my time and my life.”

What to reply to a man who expresses such wonderful sentiments? Certainly, I am far from thinking like him. I do not at all see any glory for the congregation in all this, but Father Dassy needs activity: that one is worth as much as another.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 28 March 1842, EO XXI

With a touch of realism, Eugene realized that this young man needed mental stimulation – but had to guard against  losing a sense of priority.

How do we manage the different demands of work and pleasure?

The Oblates were primarily preachers of the Gospel, a reality that necessitated well-prepared texts. Writing to the superior of the first Oblate community in Canada, Eugene underlined the importance of good preparation.

Let the youngest amongst you be put to composing a certain number of sermons. I insist that this be stipulated.

Father Telmon was a talented and creative preacher and would be a good mentor for the younger ones.

Father Telmon will be good enough to direct and correct these compositions, this being a duty of charity as much as obedience. He will do well for his own sake to increase his own repertoire. Let him be mindful that there will come a time when the imagination will grow cold and then he will be happy to find in his texts the spirit of his early years. I have long been imploring him to do this work.

Eugene’s realistic warning applies to the whole group.

I shall not rest until I see all of our missionaries who have to announce the Word of God in possession of a complete course of sermons and instructions for retreats and missions. Hold strongly to this point which is essential to the success of your ministry.

Letter to Fr. Jean Baptiste Honorat, 26 March 1842, EO I n 10

Each member of the Mazenodian Family has her or his particular God-given talents which enrich the community.

What is the spirit with which we develop and share these for the good of all?

Knowing the zeal and generosity of the first group of Oblate missionaries in Canada, Eugene encouraged them to maintain a balance. 

Do not let yourselves be overwhelmed by the work which will soon surpass your strength. One must never want to do more than God permits. Plan all things wisely. Above all, always reserve time for study and for your personal sanctification in the interior of your house. That is indispensable.

Letter to Fr. Jean Baptiste Honorat, 26 March 1842, EO I n 10

Each one has to “BE” a person of God who prays and deepens their knowledge and relationship with God. That is indispensable for the success of the ministry, the “DO” of mission.

An invitation to pause in our frenetic world of multi-tasking to examine our own equilibrium – more easily said than done.

I hope, I am even confident that not one of our men is blind to the importance and grandeur of your mission. The future of the Congregation in the New World is in your hands.

Writing to Father Honorat, superior of the first community of Oblate missionaries outside of France, Eugene reminds them of the importance of their mission. If their ministry is successful in Canada, then their future is assured. If the first community turns out to be a failure, that would destroy all future missionary endeavours.  The eyes of the Canadian Church were focused on this community.

The secret to success was to be found in their spiritual and community life – in the way in which they lived their spirit of oblation.

Be what you should be, that is,

truly good religious,

disciplined in your whole behaviour,

perfectly united,

of one heart and mind,

moved by the same spirit under that ordered regularity which marks you in the eyes of all as men living up to the demands of their Rule, in obedience and charity, devoted to all works of zeal conformed to such obedience and not otherwise, never seeking their own interest but only what pertains to the glory of God and the service of the Church.

Letter to Fr. Jean Baptiste Honorat, 26 March 1842, EO I n 10

“Be what you should be” as members of the Mazenodian Family, living the spirit of oblation of Jesus the Savior in the everyday demands of our state of life.

We are all disciples through our baptism – let us help each other to “be what you should be”: WITNESSES THROUGH THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES.!

Eugene was in a reminiscing mood on the day of this diary entry.  For some reason he decided to make a list of all his anniversaries. As we read it, perhaps it could inspire each of us to do the same – and to celebrate with a prayer of gratitude for each of our milestones.

 

Memorable days for me, whose anniversary I need to celebrate:

 

 

August 1, 1782, my birth;

August 2, 1782, my baptism.

I made my First Communion on Holy Thursday and I was confirmed by Cardinal Costa, Archbishop of Turin on the feast day of the Holy Trinity, but I am not sure whether this was in the year 1792 or even in 1793.

In the first supposition, Holy Thursday would correspond to April 5 and the Holy Trinity to June 3; in the second, this would be March 28 and May 26.

On November 4, 1808, I took the soutane,

on December 27, 1808, I was tonsured by Bishop Andre, former bishop of Quimper.

On May 27, 1809, I received minor orders from His Excellency Cardinal Fesch;

on December 23, 1809, I was made sub-deacon by Bishop André, former bishop of Quimper;

on June 16, 1810, I was made deacon by Cardinal Fesch;

on December 21, 1811, I was made priest in Amiens by Bishop Demandoix of Amiens. Cardinal Mattei, who should have ordained me, was in exile, and I not having wanted to receive the priesthood from the hands of Cardinal Maury, at the time administrator of the diocese of Paris. [ed. Jean Siffrein Maury (1746-1817), appointed by Pius VI bishop of Montefiascone and cardinal in 1799. Appointed archbishop of Paris by Napoléon in 1810; Pope Pius VII, in exile in France, refused to confirm the nomination.]

On November 1, 1818, I made my oblation in the congregation,

and, on October 14, 1832, I received episcopal consecration from the hands of His Eminence Cardinal Odescalchi  and from the archbishops of Chalcédoine and of Ravenna, thereafter Cardinals Frezza and Falconieri. 

I was transferred to the see of Marseille on October 2, 1837.

He concludes with a certain subtle sense of humor:

Yet to be known is the day of my death, the anniversary of which others will have to celebrate and for which I invoke in advance the mercy of God.

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 14 March 1842, EO XXI

Let us also celebrate our milestones.