It was Lent \u2013 a time previously marked by severe and detailed laws of fasting in the Church. Eugene, with his spirit of oblation, wanted to be generous in everything. He wanted to be faithful in his observance, however, he was in the middle of preaching his third long and exhausting parish mission within a matter of months. His fasting was taking a toll on his strength and so he wrote to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s in Aix to ask him to consult Eugene\u2019s doctor.<\/p>\n
This letter shows Eugene wanting to be faithful to the laws of the Church while, at the same time attempting to be realistic. On the other hand I include it because it gives a fascinating picture of his lifestyle and diet while on mission.<\/p>\n
\nI reproach myself every day for having forgotten to take a precaution which would have kept my conscience tranquil on the subject of fasting from which I am abstaining during this mission. I have acted by reason and with the authorisation of my confessor while presuming the assent of the doctor; but I tell myself each day that it would have been more in order to provide myself with a formal decision of the doctor.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Ask him therefore on my behalf if he judges that after having done the missions of Ch\u00e1teau Gombert and especially of Brignoles which left me a little fatigued, and having to preach at Saint Chamas twice almost every day with some vehemence, and with only four hours\u2019 sleep, I can eat in the evening a soup of rice or semolino with milk of almonds and an orange? If he thinks the soup will suffice, I will do without the orange that I have been inclined to take under the impression that it refreshes my blood which sometimes becomes overheated. Besides, anything else would turn my stomach on top of the soup which I always take with repugnance because of the taste In the morning I take only two or three spoonfuls of warm sweetened water before going into the pulpit. In the evening, as the instruction is longer and more spirited, I take a little warm wine with the sugar, because I find that this drink, which is a rude penance for me, strengthens notably my chest and my voice.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
On Saturday, I fast according to the rule, because I do not preach in the evening and because on the following day I take a cup of chocolate after my Mass.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, 31 March 1821, EO VI n. 65<\/em><\/p>\n
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“Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.”<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Andrew Murray<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It was Lent \u2013 a time previously marked by severe and detailed laws of fasting in the Church. Eugene, with his spirit of oblation, wanted to be generous in everything. He wanted to be faithful in his observance, however, he … Continue reading