With the arrival of younger members to the community, we find the development of a very special relationship between Eugene and his Oblates: the concept of his being the father of his religious family. It was the characteristic quality that would mark the lifelong relationship between Eugene and his Missionaries, and we will encounter this constantly in his writings.<\/p>\n
In 1818, we come across this idea his retreat journal:<\/p>\n
\nI believe my fault is that of a father who loves his children too much..<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I believe I must be satisfied with being vigilant over myself so as to love only for God, and in dependence on God, those who are worthy of being loved on account of their virtues and good qualities\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Retreat journal, May 1818, O.W. XV n.145<\/em><\/p>\n
At the age of 73, for example, he wrote:<\/p>\n
\nBut since the Lord has given me the heart of a father to an eminent degree, if I sense all the consolations, I also experience all the weaknesses. I most certainly love you with a supernatural love, but I also love you in the manner of, and I dare say, more tenderly than earthly fathers love.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Jean Baptiste Conrard, 19 March 1855, O.W. XI n. 1260<\/em><\/p>\n
With this in mind, let us return to 1820 and the letter that he wrote to the students and novices at Laus, in which we can understand the background to the sentiments he expressed:<\/p>\n
\nYes, my dear children, it is by redoubling my holy love for you that I wish to prove my gratitude; for your part, continue to regard me as your best friend, as truly your father.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to the students and novices at Notre Dame du Laus, 29 November 1820,<\/em>
\nO.W. VI n. 56<\/p>\n\u00a0“One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>George Herbert<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With the arrival of younger members to the community, we find the development of a very special relationship between Eugene and his Oblates: the concept of his being the father of his religious family. It was the characteristic quality that … Continue reading