Monthly Archives: July 2011

INVITING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH AUTHORITIES

Despite the congregants having their first communion service in their chapel, Eugene ensured that the young person be as fully present to his parish as possible – even to the point of inviting his parish priest to the ceremony. For … Continue reading

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TRYING TO KEEP THE LOCAL PASTORS HAPPY

Because Eugene was a gifted teacher and preacher and had a natural affinity with young people, his Youth Congregation flourished and became a source of piety and good example in the city. Some of the parish priests were not happy … Continue reading

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PREPARING TO APPLY NEW METHODS IN AIX

In dealing with the tensions between the young Father de Mazenod and some of the priests of Aix, I do not wish to give the impression that these priests were evil men. They were victims of their situations in a … Continue reading

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I DEFEND MYSELF BY CONTINUING ALL THAT THE GOOD LORD WANTS ME TO DO IN SPITE OF THEM

The conflicts with some of the priests of Aix began in 1816, once the Missionaries of Provence had been established and they opened their church for public worship as from April 1816. As a church belonging to a community it … Continue reading

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YOU HAVE A LOT OF ZEAL AND A PARTICULAR TALENT FOR ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE

When Eugene established the congregation of youth in Aix, he was very careful to maintain good relations with the local clergy. The increasing number of youngsters met every Thursday and Sunday as from March 1813. On Sundays and holydays of … Continue reading

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WHAT A PICTURE THAT CARRIAGE MADE, BEARING THE MOST PRECIOUS PERSON IN THE WORLD

Since in the previous entry I touched on the imprisonment of the Pope, I reproduce here the narrative of the Pope’s release and passing near Aix in February 1814. Napoleon had expressly forbidden that the Pope pass through the city … Continue reading

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I SHALL FEEL OBLIGED TO LEAVE THE TABLE AND WITHDRAW, FOR I CANNOT BE A PARTY TO SCHISM

In order to understand some of the positions taken by Eugene, we must remember that the Church in France after the Revolution was in a state of disorder. Many priests and religious had been killed, others had fled outside of … Continue reading

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OUR RESPONSE TO CRITICISM IS TO DO AS MUCH GOOD AS WE CAN

The ministry of the young Father de Mazenod in Aix from 1813 onwards and as founder of the Missionaries of Provence from 1816 onwards had repercussions on the local church. Some of the diocesan priests saw a conflict of interests … Continue reading

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YOU MUST BE MORE OPENLY A CHRISTIAN, A PRIEST AND AN APOSTLE

Continuing his reflections on the missionary crucifix, Eugene scolds Forbin Janson for having been influenced by those who criticised the open use of the crucifix. It is necessary because what we have experienced has at all times been acknowledged in … Continue reading

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MISSION CRUCIFIX

Founder-to-founder, Eugene continues his reflections to Forbin-Janson on some aspects of preaching missions. Here he speaks about the important role of the crucifix during missions. Like the Redemptorists, the Missionaries of France used it only when preaching missions. For the … Continue reading

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