The world is marked by self-interest, conflict, division, polarization, violence, and war. Instead of being discouraged, we need to see what we can do to improve the situations. Surrounding the occasion of the anniversary of the death of Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon, the founder of the Assumptionists who died on November 21, 1880, let’s take a look at the importance of self-gift. By developing the gift of self, we can find a meaning for our life in challenging circumstances. And, at the same time, build a society less conflictual and more fraternal.
Father d’Alzon was the spiritual director of Saint Marie Eugenie, the foundress of the Religious of the Assumption. In 1870, in her presence, Fr. d’Alzon gave a spiritual lesson on self-gift to the religious sisters. He invited them to turn themselves into “a living sermon.” A Religious Sister of the Assumption “may be so overworked that she feels that she is shortening her own life. But does it matter? ‘I will live ten years less, but I will do more good than if I lived longer.’” And Fr. d’Alzon continued, “the best thing for you to do is to give yourselves generously, courageously, and without ulterior motives. That’s why you entered religious life. If you have died on the day of your profession, the moment of your burial would have been no more than a detail.” Fr. d’Alzon said it to the Sisters, but he could have said it to the Assumptionists. And, ultimately, to all Christians: If you have died on the day of your baptism, the moment of your burial would have been no more than a detail.
Fr. Chi Ai Nguyen, A.A.
Fr. Chi Ai Nguyen, A.A. is the Provincial Superior of the North America Province of the Augustinians of the Assumption. He is a regular contributor to Living with Christ.
