On the anniversary of Father Marcou\u2019s death, Eugene\u2019s reminiscences led him to recall his priestly ministry<\/p>\n
\nHe had scarcely been raised to the priesthood when he launched out on the missions where his love for God and for his neighbour caused him to work wonders. Alas! It must be said that it also caused him to do imprudent things. He soon wore himself out by forcing himself to undertake tasks in the diocese of Nimes where my supervision could not moderate his zeal. In fact that zeal was encouraged rather than moderated by the example of the Superior I had assigned to him, and whose wisdom nevertheless equals his piety and his talents. But the sight the deplorable condition of these poor Catholics in the midst of the seductions of Protestantism, and the blessings which the Lord was pleased to pour on their ministry, caused them to overstep the bounds of moderation. The task was too great and Fr. Marcou’s health suffered as a result. Besides, the lack of attention on the part of the nursing staff in Nimes seminary where he went for treatment, was his undoing. They poisoned his system by giving him milk to drink. This accident of fate worsened his illness and made it incurable.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Diary of 20 August 1838, E.O. XIX<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0The Oblate Historical Dictionary<\/em> gives further details:<\/p>\n
Father Court\u00e8s wrote a brief obituary for Father Marcou. After giving a few details about the life and the illness of Father Marcou, he concluded with these words: “He was a man of ordinary talents, but full of humility and dedication. He was capable of rendering the most valuable assistance. In a spirit of regularity and obedience that was wholly edifying, he carried out the duties we were then obliged to fulfill at the general hospital at Aix. He took part in several parish missions… Father Marcou’s education was inadequate, but he had the eloquence of the heart. His desire to be useful to the Church and to us drove him to exhaust himself during a retreat that he was giving in N\u00eemes and the spitting of blood that began at that time, aggravated by a stomach ailment, brought on by a kind of accidental poisoning by people who served him a milk potion in a bowl containing verdigris [a green or greenish blue poisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic acid on copper] led him to the grave…”<\/p>\n
Yvon Beaudoin, \u201cMarcou, Jacques Joseph\u201d in the Historical Dictionary I,\u00a0http:\/\/www.omiworld.org\/dictionary.asp?v=5&vol=1&let=M&ID=806<\/a><\/p>\n
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\u201cNever let your zeal outrun your charity. The former is but human, the latter is divine.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hosea Ballou<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On the anniversary of Father Marcou\u2019s death, Eugene\u2019s reminiscences led him to recall his priestly ministry He had scarcely been raised to the priesthood when he launched out on the missions where his love for God and for his neighbour … Continue reading