During the time that Eugene was preaching the mission at La Ciotat, the community in Aix had sent him greetings for his feast day. As he responded to this gesture of community solidarity, he reflected on the ideal of unity that motivated him for the community life of the family of Missionaries.<\/p>\n
\nGet together often and live in the most perfect unity. When I say unity, it is not that I fear that you quarrel, this thought does not cross my mind, but I wish to speak of that cordiality that fusion, if I use that expression, which ought to exist amongst all the members of our Society which ought to have but one heart and one soul.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, 8 November 1821, EO VI n 74<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0The model that Eugene used for community was that of Jesus and the apostles, especially how that community lived after the Resurrection when it was no longer the physical presence of Jesus, but the Holy Spirit who was the source of unity among the members.<\/p>\n
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all\u2026\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n
Acts 4:32-33<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“At the centre of Christianity is community; we are gathered by the Lord around the altar.”<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Timothy Radcliffe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
During the time that Eugene was preaching the mission at La Ciotat, the community in Aix had sent him greetings for his feast day. As he responded to this gesture of community solidarity, he reflected on the ideal of unity … Continue reading