Author Archives: franksantucci

A letter from Tempier had brought him disturbing news regarding the health of the old bishop: “You might as well know that all these upheavals have depressed our prelate. There is a great change in him; at the age of … Continue reading →

The new civil authorities had demanded the singing, at the end of Mass on the feast of August 15th, of the verse Domine salvum fac regem Ludovicum Philippum [ed. God save the King, Louis Philippe]. Bishop Fortuné was faced with … Continue reading →

Fearing that the anti-religious sentiments of the new regime would lead to further persecution and the danger of violent outbreaks, Eugene started to look for a house in Switzerland to move all the scholastics and novices to. Here they would … Continue reading →

The only way for the Oblates to survive the turmoil in the country was to keep themselves focused on what they were and what they were supposed to be doing. It was all contained in their Rule of Life which … Continue reading →

Finally, news came from Fr Tempier. He wrote to Eugene that in the facing the difficult situation: “Our motto is prudence and moderation, but vigilance, firmness and courage” (REY. I. 489). Eugene responded: I approve your conduct entirely. I did … Continue reading →

Eugene was frustrated and wanted to be back where the action was so as to discharge his responsibilities to the Oblates and the Diocese. He was held back by his state of health. Like a chained-up lion, he argued: I … Continue reading →

Poor Eugene! Frustrated because of his slow convalescence. Disappointed with the behavior of some of the Oblates. Annoyed because he could not be fulfilling his responsibilities as Vicar General in Marseilles. Now came the political crisis and we touch something … Continue reading →

Yesterday at last, the “Constitutionnel” of the 31st informed us of the state of affairs, by what it said and by what it omitted. Some letters, addressed to Swiss families, whose heads are in the service of France, confirmed in … Continue reading →

What French history has referred to as “The Three Glorious Days” (27-29 July 1830) were anything but “glorious” for Eugene. For the preceding few years government anti-religious sentiments and actions had been increasing. (cf the entry from http://www.eugenedemazenod.net/?p=3415 onwards) Now … Continue reading →

Once Eugene had expressed his feelings about the Oblates who were not living up to the lofty ideals of the Rule of Life, he realized that he had been too negative and unrealistic, and so he wrote to Henri Tempier … Continue reading →