An epidemic of smallpox had just broken out in Marseille, brought by a ship arriving from the Middle East. Eugene was at Laus at the time of writing.<\/p>\n
\nI would wish to be at Marseilles to arrange everything with the Bishop and yourself, I would like to be there also to watch out for the dangers that you indicate to me…. My plan would be to leave Saturday from Grenoble and Monday from Gap, for I ardently desire to join you in circumstances so painful from every point of view.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 24 June 1828, EO VII n 304<\/em><\/p>\n
Victims of epidemics were considered by Eugene a being among the most abandoned and deserving of the care of the Oblates. As an intention for his first Mass he had prayed for:<\/p>\n
\nFinal perseverance, and even martyrdom or at least death while tending victims of the plague, or any other kind of death for God\u2019s glory or the salvation of souls.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
One of the intention for which he offered his first Mass, E.O. XIV n.100<\/em><\/p>\n
We recall how he had nearly lost his life in serving the Austrian prisoners in 1814. This was oblation: being prepared to give all, even life itself for the salvation of others. Thirty five years later he recalled :<\/p>\n
\nI have all my life desired to die a victim of charity. You know that this crown was withheld from me right from the first days of my ministry. The Lord had his designs since He wanted to trust me to give a new family to His Church; but for me it would have been a greater value to have died of the blessed typhus which I had contracted while serving prisoners.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 12 September 1849, E.O. X n.1018<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0The response of the Oblates shows that they had understood this aspect of oblation.<\/p>\n
\nFr. Mie and Fr. Touche have asked me immediately to call them to Marseilles if the plague is there. Fr. Dupuy would wish like them, to devote himself in the service of the stricken; these offers are made by these good Fathers in the most edifying and most serious manner.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Fr. Touche has begun by proposing to God the sacrifice of his life while offering the Holy Sacrifice this morning.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 24 June 1828, EO VII n 304<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWith compassion you can die for other people, like the mother who can die for her child. You have the courage to say it because you are not afraid of losing anything, because you know that understanding and love is the foundation of happiness. But if you have fear of losing your status, your position, you will not have the courage to do it.\u201d \u00a0 Thich Nhat Hanh<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An epidemic of smallpox had just broken out in Marseille, brought by a ship arriving from the Middle East. Eugene was at Laus at the time of writing. I would wish to be at Marseilles to arrange everything with the … Continue reading