Category Archives: DIARY

A DOOR OPENING INTO THE FUTURE

On the journey to accompany his mother and sister as they left for France, the diary of the exile narrates two incidents in the 13 year-old Eugene’s life that indicated a future direction. During this journey, Eugene demonstrated what grace … Continue reading

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FROM A BROKEN FAMILY A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY

In 1795, Eugene had the opportunity to take a short journey into Tuscany to accompany his mother, whom family interests were summoning back to France. Already the Marchioness de Dons, her sister, had returned with her son; Eugene’s mother would … Continue reading

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SPIRITUALITY: MAKING GOD’S DREAM A REALITY

Looking back on his time in Venice, Eugene traced the hand of God constructing his life-direction through others: Can I ever thank God sufficiently for getting for me, out of his infinite goodness, help such as this precisely at the … Continue reading

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THE CHILD IS FATHER OF THE MAN

Wordsworth’s expression that “the child is father of the man” is the guiding principle of this section of our study of Mazenodian spirituality. In order to understand the spirituality that has come to us through Saint Eugene, it is necessary … Continue reading

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SPIRITUALITY IS OUR CHRISTIAN LIVING AS GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Continuing the narrative of his time at school in Turin, Eugene speaks about receiving the sacrament of confirmation. The treatment was prolonged, so much so that the time for the general confirmation having arrived, there was a fear that Eugene … Continue reading

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A SPIRITUALITY TO BE BUILT ON THE SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Written in the third person, Eugene’s exile Diary shows the foundation of his lifelong relationship with the Holy Spirit in his spirituality: In the interval between his first communion and his confirmation, namely, between Holy Thursday and Trinity 1792, Eugene … Continue reading

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A GRATEFUL HEART FOR A SPIRITUALITY FOUNDED ON THE EUCHARIST

Eugene’s first communion, at the College of Nobles in Turin, was concisely noted in his exile Diary: It seems his masters and in particular Father Scati were also happy with his good sense, for he was admitted to first communion … Continue reading

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SPIRITUALITY: THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING BACK

  While I am convinced that the focal point of Eugene’s spirituality is his understanding of the Cross as his life-long source of energy and mission, it is important to see this as part of a spiritual journey and not … Continue reading

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SPIRITUALITY: ENGRAVING THE IMAGE OF JESUS IN OUR SPIRIT

In yesterday’s reflection on how to grow closer to  Jesus Crucified, Eugene gave this method: It is like the painter who copies a model. He places the model in the best light, studies him carefully, concentrates on him, tries to … Continue reading

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SPIRITUALITY IS LIKE AN ARTIST WHO STUDIES A MODEL

Eugene’s spirituality was always focused on Jesus the Savior – a vision that he worked at reproducing in his daily life. Using the image of a painter, he wrote when he was a seminarian: To make myself like Jesus Crucified … Continue reading

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