Author Archives: franksantucci

Father Frederic Mouchel had come to the Oblate novitiate as a priest, when the time for his oblation came, Eugene had hoped that this act of oblation would be done at Christmas or the Epiphany. In this way he would … Continue reading →

In our previous reflection, Eugene had written to the formation superior about Brother Saluzzo who was wavering in his vocation. Now Eugene writes directly to the young man: … you told me you were happy when I visited Billens. All … Continue reading →

Father Mille, the formator of the young Oblates in Switzerland had given a progress report to Eugene on some of the students. One had behaved badly and had been unfaithful to his vocation – something that Eugene always found painful … Continue reading →

Some gossip had reached Eugene’s ears about something that Hippolyte Courtès was reputed to have said about a conflict regarding a newspaper connected with an ongoing conflict in the French church (the Lammenais question, whose details I am not entering … Continue reading →

At the end of his retreat Eugene returned to his responsibilities as Oblate Superior General. He responds to one of the regular reports from a superior on the state of the community he cared for. My dear Father Courtès, your … Continue reading →

Jean Baptiste Mille was 31 years old and had been ordained for 18 months – and here he was in Billens as superior of the scholasticate and novice master. Because of the political events in France, Eugene had had no … Continue reading →

I am annoyed that Bernard is not more sensible of the value of the life and exercises of the novitiate. Lest he be deceived, it is there that is being laid the foundation of all the good he is being … Continue reading →

Father Mille, in charge of the formation of future Oblates in Switzerland, had written to Eugene complaining about one of his novices, Jean-Antoine Bernard. Eugene responded:  I am annoyed that Bernard is not more sensible of the value of the … Continue reading →

Eugene wrote: “But for us, our principal end, I would almost say our only end, is the self-same end that Jesus Christ proposed to himself on coming into the world, the self-same end that he gave to the Apostles, to … Continue reading →

What an assertion for Eugene to make at the end of his retreat! Quite some trumpet-blowing! We are the best! I re-read our Rule during my annual retreat, in a profound spirit of recollection, and I remained convinced that we … Continue reading →