Eugene had been asked to give a dimissorial letter for Adrien Telmon [ed. the go-ahead given by a major superior for one of the members of his community to be admitted to the \u201cecclesiastical state\u201d and be formally acknowledged as a candidate moving towards priestly ordination]. He responded to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, who was the one responsible for the formation of the young Oblates.<\/p>\n
\nDo you really mean, my dear friend, to ask from me the dimissorials of Telmon for his tonsure? For a youngster who has given us grief up until a day or so ago, who was decided to leave us, who on departing would most likely have unfrocked himself, this smacks of too much audacity. For me, this request is premature and I shall not risk proceeding until after a long trial. I see little disadvantage in postponement but much in hurrying.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I had promised, it is true, to apply for this privilege at Christmas, when I refused to make the application sooner but that was on the supposition that the child would behave well, yet never has he committed more stupidities. I admire your clemency but shall not follow your inclination, for this would be to risk the same blunder twice. When Telmon will have given us, thanks to prolonged good behaviour, sufficient guarantee, we can go as far as requesting his admission into the ecclesiastical state; until then I will not take it upon myself.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, 24 November 1824, EO VI n 159<\/em><\/p>\n
Here Eugene is appealing to the principle of never being in a hurry to admit someone to a life-long commitment if there are any areas of behaviour that may lead to doubts. Father Jett\u0117, a former Superior General, always insisted on the principle: \u201cIf there is a serious doubt about the person\u2019s vocation, then it is the Oblate Congregation that must be given the benefit of the doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eugene is not being unreasonable here. He is aware of the qualities and goodness of Telmon, but equally aware of his faults and the areas of behaviour that needed more maturity.<\/p>\n
Rule 54a of our Rule of Life is clear on this principle: “candidates should give proof of maturity consistent with their age and have a satisfactory knowledge of Christian teaching. They should show signs of a constancy of faith and Christian life, of love for the poor and an aptitude for community living.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene had been asked to give a dimissorial letter for Adrien Telmon [ed. the go-ahead given by a major superior for one of the members of his community to be admitted to the \u201cecclesiastical state\u201d and be formally acknowledged as … Continue reading