Louis de Boisgelin, son of Eugene’s sister had been training to become a Jesuit for four years. In 1841, at the age of 26, he became seriously ill. When Eugene learnt about this, he wrote in his diary:<\/p>\n
I resign myself to and embrace the plans of God, who calls to himself a young soul ready for heaven<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Eugene de Mazenod\u2019s Diary, 21 November 1841, EO XX<\/em><\/p>\n
Three months later, Eugene travelled to the Jesuit community to bid farewell to his nephew.<\/p>\n
Stopovers in Avignon at the bedside of my holy nephew. The sacraments had been administered to him when I arrived, and the peace in his soul certainly had not been changed by the announcement of his approaching end. His gentleness, his resignation, the perfect calm which he maintained in the midst of his suffering, called forth the admiration of the entire community and of the physicians who were caring for him with a fervor worthy of their piety.<\/strong><\/p>\n
I judged that his state would permit his mother to arrive on time to see him again one last time. This is a consolation for which I would have blamed myself for not having fulfilled for this good mother, so strong, so miserable, so resigned. Her presence made it possible; the Fathers did not stint themselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Every day I celebrated Holy Mass in the bedroom of my nephew, for whom this brought a great happiness in his deplorable condition. Poor, dear child! He was aware of the entire peril, and, far from complaining, he thanks the good Lord and accepts his suffering with the most perfect resignation.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Eugene de Mazenod\u2019s Diary, 8 February 1842, EO XXI<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Louis de Boisgelin, son of Eugene’s sister had been training to become a Jesuit for four years. In 1841, at the age of 26, he became seriously ill. When Eugene learnt about this, he wrote in his diary: I resign … Continue reading