The only way for the Oblates to survive the turmoil in the country was to keep themselves focused on what they were and what they were supposed to be doing. It was all contained in their Rule of Life which guided them in personal life and in their ministry:<\/p>\n
\nLet them keep to the Rule more than ever; it is only thus that they will draw down the blessings of God on themselves and on others. Speak strongly on this subject to all. I put it to them as a matter of conscience. I see here only people who are regular and perfectly conformed to their state. Why should we not imitate them? All is good for them. Domini est terra et plenitude ejus. [ed. Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it]<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 13 August 1830, EO VII n. 354<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0To Fr. Court\u00e8s, the superior of the house in Aix, he repeated the same advice.<\/p>\n
\nSee to it firmly that each performs his duty punctually. It is especially in critical moments that one must be more fervent, more like men of God, irreproachable in every way. The extraordinary graces that one needs would not be granted to lukewarm souls, to earthly-minded men. This life is nothing for those who count on eternity; the essential is to please God, to accomplish his commandments and his counsels, to do in everything his holy will, however costly that may be to one’s nature. Our vocation is to do good to everybody; when we will no longer be able to do it in one place, we will do it in another.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s , 15 August 1830, EO VII n 356<\/em><\/p>\n
Being so far away, Eugene worried constantly as his imagination ran away with him and he kept imagining the worst.<\/p>\n
\n…I embrace you and am very vexed to be at such a great distance from you, my uncle and all my brothers; out of three thoughts, two and a half are for all of you.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 13 August 1830, EO VII n. 354<\/em><\/p>\n
A reminder that the vocation of the members of the Mazenodian Family, especially in difficult times, \u201cis to do good to everybody; when we will no longer be able to do it in one place, we will do it in another.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The only way for the Oblates to survive the turmoil in the country was to keep themselves focused on what they were and what they were supposed to be doing. It was all contained in their Rule of Life which … Continue reading