1900-09-26
"I can add, regarding the fusion of the Congregation with that of the Holy Spirit, that Père Libermann was well aware that he was going against the opinion of most of the members of his Congregation, that he would be blamed by the clergy in general, and that by this act he took on a great responsibility that would bring him a lot of suffering. But he was totally convinced, after serious reflection before God and much fervent prayer, that this union was part of the plan of God for the good of both Congregations, for the French colonies and for our missions in Africa" (Père Delaplace. ND Supplement, p. 140-141).
J'ajoute, relativement à la fusion de la Congrégation avec celle du Saint-Esprit, qu'en y donnant la main, il (le P. Libermann) savait pertinemment qu'il allait contre l'opinion générale des membres de sa Congrégation, qu'il serait blâmé à l'extérieur par le clergé en général, qu'il assumait par cet acte une très grande responsabilité et qu'il lui en reviendrait beaucoup d'épreuves. Mais il était personnel-lement très convaincu, après mûres réflexions devant Dieu et des prières ferventes, que cette réunion entrait dans les desseins de Dieu pour le bien des deux Congrégations à réunir, des colonies françaises et de nos Missions d'Afrique. (P. Delaplace, N.D. Compléments, p. 140-141).
Relativamente à fusão da Congregação com a do Espírito Santo eu acrescento que ele (o P. Libermann), tendo um parecer favorável, sabia perfeitamente que ia contra a opinião geral dos membros da sua Congregação, que seria censurado no exterior pelo clero em geral,, que por este acto assumia uma grande responsabilidade e que lhe adviriam muitos sofrimentos. Mas...ele estava pessoalmente convencidíssimo, depois de madura reflexão diante de Deus... e de orações fervorosas, que esta união entrava nos desígnios de Deus para o bem das duas Congregações a fundir, das colónias francesas e das nossas Missões da África. (P. Delaplace, N.D., Complementos, p. 140-141).