Whatever Eugene\u2019s occupation was, he was always first and foremost an Oblate. It was in his bonds with the Oblate community that he found the strength to persevere in difficult situations. In Marseille it was the presence of Henri Tempier that helped him to cope with the demands of being Vicar General. Tempier also had other responsibilities to the Oblate communities, and so when he was going to be away for 15 days in Laus, Eugene turned to other Oblates for the support he needed.<\/p>\n
We see this in his letter to the young Jean-Baptiste Honorat, who was preaching a mission in Vitrolles and was experiencing some challenges:<\/p>\n
\nunite your thoughts to mine and let us sustain each other mutually,<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Jean Baptiste Honorat, 28 May 1824, EO VI n 139<\/em><\/p>\n
and to the superior of Aix, Court\u00e8s, he writes about the difficulties in Marseille:<\/p>\n
\nfor I bear the burden with excessive boredom and distaste. So much so that I need all my reason and also a little help from God, not to say: that is enough and: goodbye to you!<\/strong><\/h5>\n
You understand that in this state I need someone of the family at my side to ease the burden. As soon as Father Suzanne returns, send him to Marseilles.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, 28 May b1824, EO VI n 138<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cWe will find our support in friendship and in fraternal life, in apostolic commitment to all, in self-denial and in prayer.<\/em>\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 CC&RR, Constitution 18<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSpiritual relationship is far more precious than physical. Physical relationship divorced from spiritual is body without soul.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0Mahatma Gandhi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Whatever Eugene\u2019s occupation was, he was always first and foremost an Oblate. It was in his bonds with the Oblate community that he found the strength to persevere in difficult situations. In Marseille it was the presence of Henri Tempier … Continue reading