Henri Tempier wrote from the difficult mission of Rognac:<\/p>\n
\nWe got here on Saturday night\u2026 and after two or three calls, we returned to our lodging, where we found nothing. We had to run all around to find three bad straw mattresses; the same embarrassment, and even more besides, to find a few loaves of bread and ordinary fare. The next day, I learned that the Mayor intended to put the expenses of our stay into the accounts of the municipality; you understand how effectively that would have made us look like big eaters. I immediately wrote to the Mayor that we did not want any of his money, nor the bread that he intended to have us buy at such a high price; but that we desired only the salvation of souls, that we would eat at our own expense.<\/h5>\n
I truly believe that the Mayor was not short in good will; but these good people are poor \u2026 we could not accept what was offered us.<\/h5>\n
So we live like apostles. I don\u2019t think that Blessed Liguori would have found anything superfluous either in our furnishings, or in our ordinary fare: we had to struggle three days to find a lady who was willing to prepare our modest meal; finally, we found one, and we are so happy with our style of life, that if there was only that, we would thank God a thousand times for having given us the chance to be able, though remotely, to follow in the footsteps of the saints and to be missionaries, once and for all.<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter from Henri Tempier to Eugene de Mazenod, 16 November 1819,
\nOblate Writings II.2, n. 20<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0Eugene encouraged them warmly:<\/p>\n
\nOh! how right you seem to me upon your pile of straw and how much your fare, which is more than frugal, excites my appetite! This to my mind is the first time we have had what we should. Finish the work while accepting nothing from anyone without paying for it. For once you will not be disowned by our holy patron, Saint Liguori. I dare to speak to you in this way because I envy your position and, were it only I who had to decide, I would share it. I beg you nonetheless not to deprive yourselves of what is necessary. Have you brought sugar with you? Father Mye, who has such a heavy cold, will not be able to go without it.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 16 November 1819, O.W. VI n.47<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A servant church must have as its priority solidarity with the poor.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Claudio Hummes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Henri Tempier wrote from the difficult mission of Rognac: We got here on Saturday night\u2026 and after two or three calls, we returned to our lodging, where we found nothing. We had to run all around to find three bad … Continue reading