CELEBRATING ST. EUGENE IN POLAND
By Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI, Superior General
The 150th anniversary of the
death of St. Eugene continues to be celebrated throughout the world. On October
28 and 29, I was privileged to participate in two days of celebration in Poland
with many other Oblates, lay people, priests, Brothers and Sisters from Poland,
from all over Europe, from Canada and from the Delegations and Missions of
Poland.
On Friday, October 28th, there was an
International Conference in Obra, entitled “From the French Revolution to the
New Evangelization”. This conference was sponsored by the Department of Church
History, Faculty of Theology, of the Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan and
the Oblate Scholasticate in Obra. This conference considered the charism and
mission of St. Eugene de Mazenod on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of
his death.
Three hundred participants filled the
auditorium for a full day of twelve lectures. The conference was opened by Fr.
Ryszard SZMYDKI, Provincial of Poland, and he warmly welcomed all those
present. Fr. Pawel ZAJAC, responsible for organizing this stimulating day, then
gave an introduction to the French Revolution and the personal remembrances of
Eugene de Mazenod. Professor Roberto Regoli of the Gregorian University in Rome
gave incisive input on Napoleon Bonaparte’s relationship to the Catholic
Church. Dr. Rafal Dobek, of Adam Mickiewicz University, expounded on the union
of the altar and throne in France since 1825, a very relevant theme for Eugene
de Mazenod’s mission. This was complimented by an in-depth presentation on
anti-clericalism in 19th century France given by Prof. Andrzej Chwalba from
Cracow’s Jagiellonian University.
After a brief break, we entered directly
into a biographical narrative of St. Eugene’s life by Fr. Pawel LATUSEK, of the
Scholasticate in Obra. This was followed by a delightful and very personal
perspective of Eugene de Mazenod, his family and personal contrasts, given by
his sister’s descendant, Mr. Bertrand Morand of Aix-en-Provence. Fr. Fabio
CIARDI, from the General Administration, gave us a deeper understanding of
Eugene’s missionary method, away from Jansenism and closer to the Savior.
After lunch, Eugene de Mazenod and the
influence of the French school of spirituality was presented by Fr. Kazimierz
LUBOWICKI, of the Pontifical Faculty of Wroclaw. A look into Eugene’s relations
with the Jesuits gave us a deeper appreciation for the ties we have with the
Society of Jesus and this was the work of Fr. Robert Danieluk, S.J., of the
Society’s Roman Archives. Fr. Frank SANTUCCI, from the Aix-en –Provence
community, then gave us an understanding of the pastoral work of Eugene as
Bishop of Marseille.
Fr. Marek ROSTKOWSKI, from the Rome’s
Pontifical University Urbaniana, helped us understand the significant Oblate
contribution to missiology. From Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Warsaw,
Fr. Jaroslaw ROZANSKI, gave a presentation on eminent Oblate missionaries. Fr.
Franck Santucci brought the day to a very fitting conclusion by relating the
charism of St. Eugene to the new evangelization. Fortunately, these talks,
which were replete with information, insights and questions to be deepened,
will be published so that the entire Congregation may reap the benefits of this
International Conference.
On Saturday, October 29, the celebration of
the 150th anniversary of St. Eugene’s death continued, moving from
the academic sphere to liturgical, spiritual and artistic expressions. More
Oblates, many lay people and religious from Oblate parishes and ministries
arrived and we began the day with the solemn celebration of Morning Prayer of
Pastors, commemorating St. Eugene. Fr. Kazimierz LUBOWICKI preached a homily
centered on St. Eugene’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Later that morning, a
festive celebration of the Eucharist presided by Bishop Eugeniusz JURETZKO, of the
Diocese of Yokadouma, Cameroun, followed in the old baroque church of Obra.
Everything in the liturgy was just as St. Eugene would have liked it. Fr. Fabio
CIARDI, leaned over to me at one point and whispered in my ear, “These Oblates
are proud to be Oblates!”
In the afternoon, we were participants of
two special programs: a theatrical production and a concert. A play, “Eugene de
Mazenod’s Leaflet” written and produced by “Nineveh”, the Oblates’ youth
movement from Katowice, was the first event. It was a representation of Eugene
today, ministering to the broken and poor and leading others to find passion in
Jesus and to become announcers of the Gospel of the Savior’s mercy and love.
This was extremely well portrayed, very creative and current; the message
resonated in the hearts of the audience. I am impressed at the capacity of the
young people to identify with St. Eugene and his message and to communicate it
in such a powerful and inspiring manner.
When the play was over, we went almost
immediately to church for the musical concert. The church of Obra was packed
and the renowned Polish musical group, “Gang Marsela”, performed a variety of
popular and religious music. The band presented several songs inspired in the
life of St. Eugene and his experience of the cross, his love for the poor and
his ministry of compassion. At first the strains of modern pop music seemed to
be in stark contrast to the ancient ornate church. Yet, the music conveyed the
eternal message of God’s love revealed in the cross of our Savior and touching
our lives today.
The joy, peace and courage to go forth with the
Gospel lighted everyone’s hearts as we went into the dark of the late
afternoon. That moment symbolically captured the two days of celebration
honoring the life and mission of St. Eugene: Gospel light going into the
darkness. St. Eugene’s experience of God’s compassion shown forth in the Cross
of Jesus; his decision to dedicate his life to the evangelization of the poor
and abandoned; and the mercy that he preached and lived toward others; these
realities continue to draw men to follow Jesus as Missionary Oblates of Mary
Immaculate. These experiences also inspire many
lay
people to embrace St. Eugene’s charism and give their lives to the service of
God’s mission. St. Eugene de Mazenod, pray for us!
