As the work of the Missionaries in Provence became increasingly more widespread and successful, so did some of the opposition become stronger and louder. Added to this was the conflict brewing in Marseille over the re-opening of the diocese and the appointment of a new Bishop, where some of the upper class were waging a war against having Fortun\u00e9 de Mazenod appointed.<\/p>\n
\nWe are not of this world, no, we no longer wish to belong to it, any more than our head, our divine and lovable Master, and that is why it persecutes us.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I laugh at its animosity, I despise its conflicts and I pity those who let themselves be taken in by its dishonest suggestions, judge us by its views and according to its false standards.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The only way to cope was to find strength and support in the community united in the love of Jesus Christ. With this principle as the foundation stone, no evil could overcome the Missionaries. \u201cWhat then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?\u201d<\/em> Romans 8,31<\/p>\n
\nDear Court\u00e8s, let us be united in the love of Jesus Christ, in our common perfection, let us love each other as we have done up to now, let us, in a word, be at one while they die of frustration and rage.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, 3 March 1822, EO VI n 80<\/em><\/p>\n
“I believe that God both wills and is able to bring good out of everything, even the worst. For this He needs people who are prepared to allow everything to be served for the best. I believe that in every crisis God wants to provide us with as much power of resistance as we need. But God never gives it in advance so that we will entrust ourselves. I believe that even our mistakes and wrongdoing are not fruitless and that it is no more difficult for God to cope with them than with our presumed good deeds. I believe that God is no “timeless fate” but, rather, that he waits upon and responds to our sincere prayer and responsible deeds.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Dietrich Bonhoeffer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the work of the Missionaries in Provence became increasingly more widespread and successful, so did some of the opposition become stronger and louder. Added to this was the conflict brewing in Marseille over the re-opening of the diocese and … Continue reading