A Community on a Mission
Jean-Michel Amouriaux
Superior General during the centennial
Homily for December 8, 2024 · Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
We’ve been walking together for a hundred years!
I find it wonderful to be able to say “we,” and everyone here can say “we,” because this “we” truly exists. I believe this is the most beautiful thing that has been built over all these years: building a community, a brotherhood, in the name of Jesus, for his mission, in the school of holiness of Saint John Eudes. We embrace a shared identity and a history that becomes our own.
We are not celebrating a province as an administrative structure; we are not celebrating a great commercial success, nor a dazzling achievement in the eyes of the world. We are celebrating the building of authentic human relationships, founded on faith in Jesus Christ, to serve his plan for life in Venezuela. For this is how the Christian community functions: as a web of relationships. One brother speaks with another; together, under God’s gaze, they move forward in faith to continue what has begun, calling others to participate in the project. This was the case for Father Pierre Buffet and his companions in 1924. They began by meeting people and forming bonds; little by little, projects took shape and continued, then others joined in, and so on, as Father Martín recounted yesterday.
The birth and development of a mission always depend on human relationships, with all that this entails in terms of time, discovery, and mutual understanding. The mission is like a fabric that is woven with perseverance, without ever stopping. Sometimes it frays a little, its progress slows down, it changes color or pattern, but we continue to weave it, just as we weave relationships: with patience, in freedom and truth. Our lives are an extraordinary series of weavings.
The Province of Venezuela is a magnificent tapestry of relationships. By the grace of God—and let this image be very clear—we are united like the threads of a tapestry: something unique has been created among us. We form a community of destiny because we have met one another, because a relationship has been established—one whose origin is neither a calculation of self-interest, nor a shared hobby, nor a social or economic similarity. The people we meet remain in our memory because one day they entered our story, sometimes only briefly. But it is certain that we are constantly creating human relationships, weaving them among ourselves.
Who weaves us together? Who creates the relationships between us? What, ultimately, is created between us? The only possible answer is the Lord, who unites us, who weaves us together. He is the source of our relationships; he inscribes us into a shared destiny, in this world and in the future. Faith has given us to one another; God has intertwined us.
There is much more between us than a formal commitment, even though that is very important: we are about to renew our bond of incorporation and welcome new members. In every case, an act binds us; but ultimately, what matters is the strength of the relationships we create and live out. What do we experience together, if not relationships that bring us joy, in which we recognize ourselves, and that lead us to look together toward the present and the future? We have the joy of being together and of participating in a shared life project.
This is no mere anecdote: it is the heart of our faith. What the Father desires is a new world, new relationships, to form a single human family under his gaze as the Father of the one human family. The Church is the sacrament of God’s plan: she manifests it and brings it to fruition. And let us be clear: the relationships we create on earth in love already have the flavor of eternity.
We celebrate this entire experience that has shaped our lives, and we acknowledge all that our Eudist spirituality and our shared listening to God’s will have brought us in decisions and directions concerning formation and mission. We are learning to take this reality of the relationships woven among us ever more seriously. Welcoming associates into the Congregation ultimately means expanding our congregational fabric; and synodality continues to broaden our attentiveness to what the Spirit is saying to us.
Christ himself entered into this great fabric of human relationships. He inaugurated this new world of relationships among us precisely by coming himself into the fabric of our freedoms. He came thanks to the magnificent “yes” of the Virgin Mary: a “yes” without reservation, without obstacle, without “buts” or “maybes,” an immaculate “yes.” A “yes” that heard God’s voice and responded to it with perfect generosity. We admire the young Mary, who lived a unique relationship with God, allowing him to enter into our human condition by the same path as every human being. It is incredible, and we believe it!
The incredible has become reality: God, the almighty Creator, took on the condition of his creature. He truly shared in everything that constitutes our life, in order to share with us an entirely new reality: God is with us every day; he is within us, he dwells in our hearts, he gives us his Spirit. This intimate presence of God is a constant revolution. For when we believe in this presence, we receive a strength we could never have imagined on our own.
We receive the strength of hope, which enables us to listen to God’s word, to understand his plan for us, and to work toward it with all our strength. We listen to God’s word, which calls for universal brotherhood— Fratelli tutti —where justice reigns, bearing the fruits of peace. Without the hope that God will fulfill his promise, we give up, we resign ourselves, we close our eyes, and we cover our ears. But, in faith, we understand that God does not want the dignity of any of his creatures to be disfigured, for each one is the temple of his Presence. On the contrary, he calls us to look around us and work together to meet the challenges.
After a hundred years of service, mission, and so many bonds forged, how are the Eudists in Venezuela preparing to draw on new energy to meet the challenges facing the Church and society today? This time of celebration is very important for expressing our gratitude—an attitude so dear to our Founder—and also for giving thanks for the present reality of the Province. But then, after the celebration, we must listen even more attentively to God’s voice in order to remain faithful to Him, precisely because we have celebrated Him. The conclusion of the jubilee year marking the Province’s centennial ushers in another centennial—the Jubilee of the entire Congregation—which itself is part of the Jubilee of the entire Church. We look toward tomorrow; and for that, there is only one solution: to listen together, once again, to the voice of God.
Yesterday, we heard Pope Francis tell us that authentic spirituality of the heart—true devotion—is realized in the mission of building the civilization of love upon the ruins of our sins and the collective structures of sin. How will we listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Eudists in the history that is being written at this very moment? One of the great contributions of the Second Vatican Council was to integrate historical reality much more deeply into theological and pastoral reflection. How will the Eudists of Venezuela—incorporated members, associates, and collaborators, in close collaboration with the sisters—discern God’s will?
At our last meeting of Superiors General of male religious congregations, we reflected on what consecrated life can contribute to the life of the Church and the world today. The strongest response was that consecrated life must be prophetic if it is to remain as faithful as possible to its vocation. We cannot strip Saint John Eudes of his prophetic dimension without risking rendering him sterile… As he wrote on several occasions, if we are unfaithful, insipid, without salt, without light, then it would be better for the Congregation to disappear: John Eudes is very radical. From the very beginning, his call was to combine a solid interior life at the School of the Sacred Hearts with a mission lived out in all its prophetic strength, without fear. He was not afraid, because he knew what God’s will was. We are at his school to learn these same attitudes.
When we speak of the Province of Venezuela within the Congregation, the collective memory evokes the formation of the country’s clergy and missionary practices. It recalls major missions, for example in Temblador or other regions, with strong teams of lay missionaries. How will this be reinvented by 2025? It is essential that we all get involved. The province is clearly blessed with many lay missionaries and a wonderful group of young Eudist missionaries: this fills us with hope.
We are in the season of Advent and we celebrate the one who said “yes” with all her immaculate heart. We are preparing for the great feast of Christmas, and this is evident everywhere we go—even right here! What face will Christ have this Jubilee Christmas? How will we embody—through our works, decisions, and projects—the coming of God the Savior among us, in this concrete time, with all its beauty, but also with all that disfigures human dignity? There are so many sheep without a shepherd. Faith must be embodied: that is part of its very nature.
Lord, transform the great joy of this jubilee into energy to renew the mission. Lord, strengthen the bonds of collaboration within the Eudist family, among the priests, sisters, and laypeople. Lord, show us the paths of the mission so that we may faithfully and wholeheartedly continue what we celebrate today, filled with gratitude.
May the Virgin Mary, our Superior, always accompany us: she is the Faithful Virgin and will remain at our side as we boldly move forward along the paths of our charism as evangelizers and formators. With her, and with our Founding Father, let us move forward without fear. As Jean Eudes wrote to his brothers, there is only one thing we must fear: fearing too much and lacking confidence. So be it.
Father Jean-Michel Amouriaux, c.j.m.
Superior General · December 8, 2024
Looking to the Future with Confidence
Rafael Viloria
Provincial Superior during the centennial
Homily for Friday, December 6, 2024
First day of the Eudist centennial triduum
As part of the Eudist centennial, we pray for our Eudist parishes and local communities, that they may continue to be schools of holiness and a manifestation of the Kingdom for all the faithful.
I extend a special greeting to Father General Jean-Michel, C.J.M., to Father Vicar General Martín Solano, C.J.M., as well as to the incorporated priests, candidates, associates, pre-associates, friends, and benefactors. Welcome to all of you.
A special greeting also goes to Father Franklin Echenique, C.J.M., who is celebrating his birthday today. May God grant him life and health so that he may continue to serve with joy the people entrusted to him.
The first reading we have just heard, taken from the prophet Isaiah, invites us to reflect on the transformation and renewal of our lives. The promise that what seems “barren” can become lush, transforming into a great “lush orchard,” opens the way to hope and trust, especially in difficult times. Often, in our own lives, we may feel as though we are in a desolate “Lebanon,” filled with challenges and obstacles. Yet the Word reminds us that God has the power to change our lives and transform any situation.
From a spiritual perspective, the transformation promised by this passage can be understood as a call to personal and communal renewal. It invites us to seek God’s intervention in our lives, to let his Spirit work within us to transform what is dead or barren in our being into something living and fruitful.
As we consider this context of judgment and hope, we are also reminded of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God. The transformation we long for in our lives and in the world around us begins with a heart willing to follow His ways and live according to His will. Thus, Isaiah 29:17 is not only a promise of change but also a challenge: to live in the hope of what God can accomplish in us and through us. May this invitation help us to be people of hope, always trusting in the goodness of God, who can make all things new. This is a great lesson to learn, a great teaching to embrace.
Today’s Holy Gospel refers us to the miracles Jesus performed during his public ministry. The words “As Jesus was leaving that place” may give the impression that the Lord had not planned to pass through that area and had no intention of healing those two blind men; yet we all know that, in reality, everything is duly planned by our God.
Nevertheless, this offers us, once again, great lessons on faith and the working of miracles. There will be moments in our lives when the opportunity to see God’s hand at work will arise without warning. It is then that, like these blind men, we must seize that opportunity. Somehow, the two blind men realized that Jesus was passing by where they were. When they noticed him, they cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
First, they implored his mercy, acknowledging their own smallness and their great need for the one who could restore their sight. If we want to see God perform miracles in our lives, we must adopt an attitude of humility in his presence. We will not receive any divine favor if we do not acknowledge our powerlessness and our need for him.
Second, they acknowledged his divine superiority by addressing him as “Son of David.” The Jews commonly associated this title with the Messiah. Although it does not appear directly in the Old Testament Scriptures, it is found in another deuterocanonical text known as the Psalms of Solomon: “Look, Lord, and raise up for them a king, a son of David, at the time you choose, O God, so that he may reign over Israel, your servant” (Psalms of Solomon 17:21). By calling him this, they were thus proclaiming him the Messiah of Israel.
Each of us must realize that Jesus alone has the power to change every difficult aspect of our lives. There will be times when God will reveal Himself in an unusual way, when we least expect it. But when that happens, we must rush to His feet in search of the miracle our hearts so deeply long for.
How many people have waited for an answer from God, persevering in prayer, attending church, fasting, and so on; but just as the Lord was about to answer them, they gave up and stopped insisting on what they so desperately desired. They let their opportunity slip away.
These blind men had probably heard about Jesus and knew that he could restore their sight. But their disability prevented them from going to find him. When they heard that it was he who was passing by where they were, they did not let the opportunity slip away. They knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and that they might never have it again. So they cried out in a loud voice, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” May God grant that we never give up seeking His divine favor and that we may recognize a unique opportunity to bear witness to His great power.
Dear brothers, on this day when we gather to share the faith and joy that unite us as a family, may we continue to learn from God’s liberating Word, which always invites us to examine our inner lives.
May this occasion allow us to thank the many men who, through a generous “yes” following Mary’s example, have enabled the charism of Saint John Eudes to take root in our beloved land of Venezuela. Let us now look together, as brothers, at the present and the future with fresh eyes, so that we may continue to respond to the great challenges that lie ahead. Our charism remains relevant, and there is still so much to be done. May we leave our mark, as our Eudist brother priests have done, and continue to be witnesses of life, loving one another and committing ourselves to the mission of Christ and his Church. Blessings.
Father Rafael Viloria, c.j.m.
December 6, 2024
A Legacy to Pass On
Martín Solano
Vicar General during the centennial
Homily of December 7, 2024
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few
Today’s Gospel is a beautiful reflection by Matthew on Jesus’ public life: Jesus went through the villages, teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, healing the sick, and having compassion on the people.
Faced with such a great task, he decided to call a few: twelve in particular, to whom he gave authority. Twelve who were with him, who shared his table and his life. Twelve who discovered the Master’s fascinating life and who, without hesitation, decided to follow him. Twelve with their doubts and concerns, with their own ideas about who Jesus was. Twelve who were corrected, counseled, praised, and guided. Twelve whom he taught to pray and to whom he gave the power to heal the world’s ills.
Those twelve became thousands, then millions. Today, it is us: we are part of this legacy that is the Church, and Jesus continues to call.
This is also how the Congregation began: he called Saint John Eudes and a few companions, and this small group grew and spread throughout the world. Today, we are present in many places around the globe, as evangelizers and formators, carrying the love of the Heart of Jesus and Mary.
In 1924, another dream began: Pedro Buffet, Pedro Le Doussal, and Javier Wezemael. This dream has continued with more than eighty priests to this day. Each one holds an important place in this history.
History is not an abstract reality that we could recount as a mere sequence of events. More than that, it involves people—real, concrete individuals—who came to these lands from different parts of the world: French, Belgians, Canadians, Colombians, Ecuadorians, Chileans, Americans, and, of course, Venezuelans. All of them—each and every one—and each of us have offered our service in this land of grace, in this “Little Venice,” as some call it, referring to the origin of its name.
Each one has contributed something, has given the best of himself. Each one has understood the legacy of Saint John Eudes and painted it on a canvas called Venezuela. Today, we are the heirs to this history.
As in today’s Gospel, we know that the harvest is plentiful and that Eudist workers remain few in number. We are no more than twenty priests, but we have the richness of so many associates who have joined this work, the richness of so many missionaries who have also joined these projects. We have so many friends throughout Venezuela who share our charism and our spirituality. This is the wealth of the Eudists: their people.
The harvest is plentiful, and we, the workers, continue to give everything we can so that Eudist life may continue in Venezuela, despite our country’s difficulties and despite the scarcity of priestly vocations. I believe that God has always looked upon this land with eyes of grace and blessing.
We have no cause for complaint: we have been present throughout Venezuela’s history. A large part of the Venezuelan Church and its pastors has been formed by us. Many priests from various Churches have a connection with the Eudists. Through us, many people have nurtured a faith that goes beyond a mere profession: members of the Legion of Mary, Cursillistas, charismatics, members of Emmaus, and so many others.
We have had the grace to break down barriers from our own poverty: as representatives of our province, we have worked in Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Italy, and the Philippines.
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few; yet these few workers, like the disciples, have expanded their reach, and we have sown beyond our borders. This is nothing but grace; this is nothing but blessings. How many associates have left our country and, wherever they go, continue their work of spreading this spirituality! The treasure we have discovered has not left us idle. Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel!
Today, in the light of this Gospel, I want to thank you all, because these words continue to come to life. There is no doubt that there is much to be done; but you, and we, respond CORDE MAGNO ET ANIMO VOLENTI—with a generous heart and a resolute will. This is how it must be.
Thank you, Lord, for this centennial of our Eudist presence in Venezuela. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your contribution, for your friendship, for being a family. Thank you to the fathers, to our priest friends, and to our lay associates. Thank you to everyone, because without you this would not be possible.
Today, I reflect on what began in San Cristóbal, with three men who came to sow the seed a hundred years ago. It is easy to say, but it is quite a story. The richness of the Congregation cannot be overlooked; our love for the Congregation cannot be overlooked. This leads us to proclaim the motto we carry within us as Eudists:
May Jesus and Mary live and reign in our hearts!
Father Martín Solano, c.j.m.
December 7, 2024
The Centennial in Pictures
