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Category Archives: SERMONS
A GRADUAL CONVERSION FROM SELF-FOCUS TO GOD-FOCUS
Over the months I have been exploring the spiritual journey of the young Eugene de Mazenod. From the age of 9 in exile we saw him taking his first steps of commitment in his first communion and confirmation. Then in … Continue reading
WHO IS SAINT EUGENE? EUGENE, MINISTER OF GOD-GIVEN HUMAN DIGNITY
1813: The beginning of Eugene’s preaching to the most abandoned Come now and learn from us what you are in the eyes of faith. Poor of Jesus Christ, afflicted, wretched, suffering, sick, covered with sores, etc., all you whom misery … Continue reading
ONCE YOU ARE FREED FROM SIN, LIGHT WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE DEEP SHADOWS THAT REIGNED IN YOUR SOULS
This is the conclusion of the sermon: a moving invitation to experience God’s love in the sacrament of confession. Having thundered at his listeners to make them aware of the seriousness of sin and provoke them to conversion, he now … Continue reading
IT IS WITH OPEN ARMS THAT THE MINISTERS OF JESUS CHRIST PRESS THEM CLOSE TO THEIR HEARTS
Eugene develops his image of the sinner being like a cart stuck in the mud that necessitates great force to get it out of the mud, and then gentleness in the confessional to begin the healing process of conversion. In … Continue reading
OUR MENACING TONE IS ONLY FOR THE PULPIT, IN THE CONFESSIONAL OUR LANGUAGE IS QUITE DIFFERENT
Eugene now comes to the practical purpose of his sermon. He has instructed, and now it is time for action on the part of his listeners; they are invited to celebrate the sacrament of confession. I find particularly touching the … Continue reading
COME, I HAVE GIVEN YOU MORE THAN ENOUGH REASONS TO MAKE UP YOUR MINDS
Eugene aims to convince his listeners to go to confession, understanding that the more they put it off, the more difficult it will be. I have chosen these two extracts because they give something of a feel for the images … Continue reading
COME AND SHOW YOUR WOUNDS TO THE ONLY DOCTORS WHOM GOD HAS ESTABLISHED TO CURE THEM
The sermons at the Madeleine were Lenten in character to prepare his listeners for Easter resurrection. After the first sermon where Eugene had laid the foundation of their dignity in the eyes of God’s love, his themes for the following … Continue reading
COME AND BE RENEWED IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE CHURCH
Eugene’s listeners at the Madeleine are invited not only to receive the Word of God, but to enter into deeper relationship with God through all that the ministry of the Church offers them. “Our churches are your places of refuge. … Continue reading
COME AND LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD PLACED WITHIN THE GRASP OF THE SIMPLEST
Eugene continues to express his joy, “I cannot help being touched when I see the eagerness of the poor to hear my voice” and explains his approach to preaching. He is imitating St. Paul and wishes to preach the Gospel … Continue reading
MY VOCATION TO BE THE SERVANT AND PRIEST OF THE POOR TO WHOSE SERVICE I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DEVOTE MY WHOLE LIFE
Four weeks later, Eugene begins his Sunday Lenten sermon to the poor in the Church of the Madeleine with a heartfelt expression of gratitude to his listeners for the way in which they have been receptive to the message he … Continue reading