In this letter we see Eugene continuing his efforts to establish and maintain a spirit of unity among the three communities of Missionaries. He was away preaching long parish missions, and so he wrote to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s who was the acting-superior in Aix in his absence. This young man was 32 years old and had been an ordained priest for less than eight months \u2013 thus Eugene\u2019s letter of guidance regarding practical decisions in the running of the Aix house.<\/p>\n
\nDoubtless being the superior of the house, you have the right to obtain an accounting of what the bursar is doing, that is why I did not hesitate to tell you that you ought to watch everything, but your authority does not extend to changing the instructions which have been given him by your own superior. He should do nothing without telling you in advance even in matters in which he has been authorized to proceed.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The point of this advice is not a question of power, but of leadership at the service of a common spirit. It is Eugene, as the ultimate one responsible for the welfare and maintenance of the group, who has the duty of giving guidance. It is authority for the sake of service<\/p>\n
\nAs for those he would propose himself, he owes you obedience and you yourself ought, in your decisions, to make them in conformity with the spirit which guides me in my administration because, as long as I am the superior, it is I who must give the guidance which all should follow, whatever they may think. Otherwise there would be friction in the machinery, there would no longer be unity in government and consequently disorder would be the result.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
This is the case with any government of whatever kind. I will add that in those based on religious virtues, it is necessary to do something more, that is to say, that one should strive to acquire enough humility to believe that one knows less and has less graces than the superior and, in consequence, be not afraid to conform even one\u2019s judgement to his.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, 14 March 1821, EO VI n. 64<\/em><\/p>\n
Today the role of those in authority in the Oblates is summed up as<\/p>\n
Our Superiors are a sign of the Lord’s loving and guiding presence in our midst. They call us to live up to our Oblate vocation and provide us with the support we need. In a spirit of coresponsibility, they lead the community, making decisions, supporting initiatives and implementing policies, according to the spirit and norms of the Constitutions and Rules<\/em><\/p>\n
Constitutions and Rules, Constitution 81<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/em> Ralph Nader<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In this letter we see Eugene continuing his efforts to establish and maintain a spirit of unity among the three communities of Missionaries. He was away preaching long parish missions, and so he wrote to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s who was the … Continue reading