Life of the Congregation (2)

In 1890, when Fr. August Etchecopar was reelected as Superior General of the Congregation, he was 60 and his health was in decline. Following this renewed trust received from his brethren, he gave a lecture in which he expressed, as humble as a novice, his state of mind and recounted the anxieties, the questions and the hopes of the Betharramite Chapter members of the end of the XIXth century. Some kind of dusty antique? Not so sure...

«Notified to the Holy See as Superior General, by the confidence of my Brothers, I would like, in this first sharing, to tell you of the feelings that profoundly stir me. What on earth could make them chose someone who sees himself as nothing and who is nothing but impotence? Ah! One thing: I see it well: It must be what I have said and done to attract and melt hearts to imitate that of our venerable Founder. If this is a merit, I confess that I do have the desire to obtain it, and this desire possesses me, and by the grace of God may it always possess me.

So it is to the mind of Father Garicoits and to his heart that I attach myself, and bind myself to you once more, full of confidence in both his support and in the ever deeper veneration that you carry for his holiness, his virtues and that supernatural paternity that ennobles and drives you.

But what fear is mingled with this confidence! My weak shoulders shudder, feeling the weight of the burden from which they would have loved to be forever spared! What arrows have pierced my soul! How many tears have I poured before God who knows me and must judge me!

The times are hard and the storm that batters the Church and which will pile up difficulties in the future, demands so much wisdom, prudence, firmness, sacrifice on the part of all !! We have military laws which threaten to rob us of our young people, so much needed now to preserve our present works. And with this diminution of our personnel, we ourselves must think of the means to recruit, to found here and there, to repair our losses, and not go to ruin.

How can we cope with all the different needs, and sustain courage, then find new resources in men, money and generosity? The Chapter has clearly outlined and organised the Administration [...]

In addition, the Chapter has laid down guidelines, and indicated means for the protection and recruitment of our people. It has worked to improve the conditions of the Mother House and to procure resources, so that the acquisition of the neighboring inn will hopefully bring to the benefit to our health and a more normal functioning ...

The Chapter has also dealt with the means of keeping hold of and protecting our young men who are threatened by military law. Article 50 of this law, provides for exemption from military service at 30 years of age, for all those who went overseas before the age of 19. It was decided to make use of this means, by placing our young men in Bethlehem or Buenos Aires up to the age required for the exemption.

Because of the threats directed against our personnel, as well as our works, we thought that the best means of supporting both people and works would be to establish centres of recruitment through apostolic schools. We shall endeavour, therefore, to found a residence in Spain, fertile in religious vocations, to recruit vocations for us.

Besides these important questions, we focussed as always on the duty of maintaining and strengthening the spirit of the Institute, and the constant practice of religious discipline.

The Book of Customs is one of the most useful and necessary means for attaining this end; it applies the Constitutions, and is the best commentary, in relating the daily practice of our religious life to our ancient traditions. The various General Chapters examined and approved many of these customs, and instructed us to complete them. We tried to prepare this work with our Council; If it is not fully complete, it will at least be very useful for settling uncertainties, for eliminating some differences, and for establishing a better order with a greater uniformity. God willing, this Book of Customs will be printed and given to each one before long.

There is in the Constitutions a point whose practice troubles some consciences; I mean the Economy, as it is exercised in the colleges belonging to the Bishop. The Chapter, recognising the special situation of these houses, where the budget is a Diocesan concern, declared that the community bursar will only be entrusted with funds belonging to the community, and that (Diocesan funds excepted) he will take care of all material matters, in accordance with our Constitutions and under the orders of the local Superior.

I think you have a general idea of ​​all of our work. Far from it being a burden to us, we study with calm and generosity the difficulties of the present without abandoning any of our posts; We have to protect our youth, and establish some houses of recruitment. These necessities will impose a redoubling of courage and generosity. We must redouble our efforts and multiply ourselves. But let us have in view only the common good; Although we must spend ourselves daily in sacrifices, these will not last forever. Emergencies will pass; But Love remains; The works and successive sacrifices of every kind will end. What remains, and what will last is love for Our Lord and his Church.

Such is the feeling that sustains me. Never before have I felt the fear that seized me at my re-election. For a long time I had been chewing over the words of St. Augustine: “The higher the office, the greater the danger”; Additionally, because of my health among other reasons, I was afraid, thinking of this saying of Our Lord: “The shepherd must walk ahead of his sheep”. (Ante eas vadit). But this feeling soon blended with that of trust, thinking first of all of the will of God, then of the excellence of that Congregation which God has founded and of which he is the Guide.

I have felt uplifted and upheld by your virtues and your merits, by the spirit of the Holy Founder with which you are more and more infused ... and I know that you will obtain for me the fulfilment of that great ambition of those who are in leadership: namely to give their life for their sheep; (Dat animam suam pro ovibus) Yes this soul such as it is, in spite of its feebleness, faults and failings of all kinds, following the one true shepherd, will give itself and will always give itself; I will give myself to all; I give myself without delay; I will strive every day to give myself without complaining. May I give myself unreservedly, as I long to give myself without return for the one love of Our Lord and his Blessed Mother ! »

Ven. Auguste Etchecopar scj
Second Founder of the Congregation