Blessed Father Louis Brisson, OSFS
A phrase that pops up rather frequently in the conferences Blessed Father Louis Brisson, OSFS, gave to the first Oblates is “ayez bon courage” or “ayez grand courage.” This is one of those phrases which does not translate easily into English even though the words themselves are understandable. The phrase means more than don't give up no matter what, hold on even when the times are rough. In some ways, it is a paraphrase of the Salesian motto Tenui nec dimmitam - I have taken hold and I will not let go.
Father Brisson was very much aware that times were rough at the beginning of the congregation. They were only to get rougher. They were a young group, some transitioning from diocesan priesthood to religious life, discovering what it meant, feeling the weight of the religious obligations, the vowed life, the communal life, and the ministry. Father Brisson himself was both a “novice” and the Superior General at the same time, while also transitioning from diocesan priesthood to religious life and discovering that the path was not as easy as he thought it would be. So frequently, both to the new men, and I suspect to himself, he would say “ayez bon courage.” Don’t give up no matter what. Be strong.
One area where this “bon courage” was needed and is still needed is in the area of prayer. There was no question that the success of their new venture, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, would be, and need to be, grounded in prayer. No prayer, No Oblate. It was as plain and simple as that. But what happens when even with all the aids to prayer are present (time for silence, time for reflection, power of the Scripture, power of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, etc.), nothing seems to be fruitful? Some of the early Oblates were very much aware of this and brought this to Father Brisson.
Certainly, when the sun shines, the warmth of the morning air surrounds me, the aftermath of a magnificent retreat or special celebration lingers, the power of a well-planned and celebrated liturgy invigorates me, the sacred silence of the Blessed Sacrament overwhelms me, and I feel the presence of God as close as the very skin that holds me together, it is no chore at all to pray. Just try and stop me!
But what about the other days?
This was Father Brisson’s answer:
“If God graces you from His great abundance, then profit from it. But if you remain dry, dry as a piece of wood, then just say, ‘Lord, here is a piece of wood, please wrap your arms around it.’”
And we could add, “Yes and I will be of good courage because the beauty of the temple of God is built with one little piece of wood placed on another.”
Thank you, Father Brisson!
Fr. David Whalen OSFS
Priest-Assistant
St. Pius X Parish, Toledo, OH
