With the emergence in his writings of the theme of Eugene\u2019s considering himself the father of his young Missionary family, it is important to seek the origins of this expression.<\/p>\n
We have seen in previous entries how essential friendship was for him \u2013 a quality that was useful in his pastoral work. When he began the Youth Congregation in 1813, he not only regarded the youth as the beneficiaries of his ministry but he also formed a bond of friendship with them. His letters and his entries in the Diary of the Congregation give numerous examples of this. I would call this relationship a \u201cpastoral friendship,\u201d because its aim was to accompany the young persons to a deeper encounter with God and the values of the Kingdom. The reflection he wrote during his 1818 retreat shows:<\/p>\n
\nWhat I find reassuring is that I am certain God is the chief bond of that union, since what consoles me the most in my friendships is seeing my friends virtuous, as my great joy is to see them do some fine thing, and also that the mere thought that they could be untrue to themselves and stray the least bit from the good road they are following, would deeply wound me.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
In that same love it is true I am happy too to see them succeed in their endeavours, earning the esteem and praise of worthy men, etc.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Retreat journal, May 1818, O.W. XV n.145<\/em><\/p>\n
Some members of the Youth Congregation were the first to join the Missionaries, we can better understand the progression of ideas when he writes to the young oblates:<\/p>\n
\nfor 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,|
\nO.W. VI n. 56<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“The way we behave toward people indicates what we really believe about God.”<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Warren W. Wiersbe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With the emergence in his writings of the theme of Eugene\u2019s considering himself the father of his young Missionary family, it is important to seek the origins of this expression. We have seen in previous entries how essential friendship was … Continue reading