Monthly Archives: July 2010

A GRATEFUL EUGENE REDOUBLES HIS EFFORTS FOR THE SALVATION OF THE YOUTH

After his illness, Eugene resumes writing the Diary of the Christian Youth Congregation and describes the affectionate reaction of the youth to his illness. The best way for him to show his gratitude is by working even harder for their … Continue reading

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AN ILLNESS THAT BROUGHT ME TO DEATH’S DOOR

In January 1814,  Napoleon’s armies were in retreat as the powers against him invaded France. He sent two thousand Austrian prisoners of war to Aix. Typhus broke out, and doctors and the chaplain died of it. Eugene became aware of … Continue reading

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THE CHANGE THAT WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW IN THE LIVES OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE

A year after starting the youth congregation, Eugene could see results in the lives of the young people. The letters from its members, that we have in the archives, show that these fruits lasted well into their adulthood. What had … Continue reading

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YOUTH: MEETINGS BUILT AROUND ENSURING AN EQUILIBRIUM

Eugene describes a typical day’s activities at a meeting. I have a pretty enclos (property) at the town gate. There I have got up a chapel for our spiritual exercises. In the garden they have all the space they need … Continue reading

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YOUTH: I CAN REALLY PERCEIVE THE GOOD THAT THE LORD DOES THEM THROUGH MY MINISTRY

Eugene’s methodology is clear in this extract. He wanted to be sure that all the members were of a quality of being capable of making a contribution towards the good of the other young people of Aix. It was always … Continue reading

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YOUTH: TO FORM A BODY FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THEMSELVES AND OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE OF AIX

As the group of young people began to grow, so it became necessary to have some written regulations. In the first set of rules he defined his goals for his youth ministry. It had to be a body that would … Continue reading

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YOUTH: TO FORM CHRISTIANS WORTHY OF BEARING THIS NAME

Eugene expressed his guiding ideals for working with the youth in a letter to his friend Father Forbin Janson. What is clear is that Eugene wanted these young men to become yeast in Aix. Through their formation they could become … Continue reading

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THE FOUNDATION OF THE YOUTH CONGREGATION

On the 25 April, 1813, Low Sunday, were laid the foundations of the holy Association of Christian Youth. The Director of this nascent congregation called to his side … [7 names follow]. After laying out for them his plan and … Continue reading

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A DANGEROUS ATTEMPT TO COUNTERACT THE PROPAGANDA OF NAPOLEON

The enterprise is difficult, I am not concealing that fact from myself, it is not without danger even since I am proposing nothing less than to oppose with all my power the sinister ways of a highly suspicious government which … Continue reading

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YOUTH: THE EVIL IS AT ITS HEIGHT AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD SWIFTLY TOWARDS TOTAL COLLAPSE

Having outlined the evil situation in which the young people find themselves, Eugene sees the urgency of responding to Napoleon’s attacks, despite the personal danger this will entail from him from Napoleon’s police. The central thrust of his ministry for … Continue reading

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