Before accepting the Canada mission, Eugene had consulted every member of the Oblate congregation. The majority of members had indicated their desire to be sent there, so it was difficult to make a choice. Here is a letter to one of them who was accepted.<\/p>\n
My dear Father Lucien, bless the good God. He has granted your wish. I have definitely chosen you to be a member of the community which will go and plant the standard of the Congregation, which is that of the Cross itself, in another part of the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n
I have the greatest confidence that you and your companions will be worthy of your vocation, that you will do much good and that you will honour the Congregation by your devotedness, your zeal and your regularity.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
These were the first Oblate missionaries to arrive in a new country. First impressions count, and all future missionary invitations would depend on this.<\/p>\n
On the impression you give will depend the growth of the family not only in all of Canada but in other mission countries ready to be evangelized and to which are lacking only the workers to announce to them the good news of salvation. You will be the first to open the way; others will follow you.<\/strong><\/p>\n
I shall have difficulty to console several who hoped to be included in the first contingent.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Adieu, I have only time to embrace and bless you,<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Fr. Lucien Lagier, 28 August1841, EO I n 5<\/em><\/p>\n
“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”<\/em> (Matthew 5: 15-16)<\/p>\n
For further details see: https:\/\/www.omiworld.org\/lemma\/lagier-lucien-antoine\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Before accepting the Canada mission, Eugene had consulted every member of the Oblate congregation. The majority of members had indicated their desire to be sent there, so it was difficult to make a choice. Here is a letter to one … Continue reading