Monthly Archives: October 2011

BLOOMING LIKE FLOWERS

Posted on October 31, 2011 by franksantucci

A click onto a webpage of world news, before or after you read this reflection, will fill your screen with images and descriptions of violence, deceitful politicians and countless situations where Gospel values seem to be totally absent. Human nature … Continue reading →

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STAYING IN FOCUS

Posted on October 29, 2011 by franksantucci

In whatever situation the young people found themselves, they were trained to focus on the presence of God as their reference point. This exercise of the presence of God and these short prayers must be done without any mental effort … Continue reading →

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WHATEVER THE COST

Posted on October 28, 2011 by franksantucci

As Eugene stresses that the most important aspect of the life of the young persons is to be followers of Jesus Christ, he reminds them to acknowledge this, whatever the consequences. It recalls how, for two hundred years, many of … Continue reading →

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THE MOST HONOURABLE TITLE POSSIBLE

Posted on October 27, 2011 by franksantucci

Eugene reminds the members of the Youth Congregation of the central reality of their lives: The members, recognizing that the most honourable quality for them is that of being Christian, will never be ashamed to openly profess this in whatever … Continue reading →

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PLACES WHERE THE GOSPEL AND ALL ITS MAXIMS ARE SCORNED

Posted on October 26, 2011 by franksantucci

Read through our 21st century eyes, this text appears bizarre. Yet, when we remember that in 1813 the theatres were generally centres of anti-religious sentiments and of loose moral values (how many operas of this period, for example, have marital … Continue reading →

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THE FOUNDATION OF ALL RELATIONS

Posted on October 25, 2011 by franksantucci

Continuing to teach his young charges how to grow strong in the midst of negative influences, Eugene refers to the scandal-filled and destructive atmosphere of some sections of Aix “society”: When unavoidably in this environment, particularly if they find themselves … Continue reading →

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STAYING IN FOCUS

Posted on October 24, 2011 by franksantucci

Eugene was aiming to form these young men into a corps that would be a force for good in the city. While they were impressionable, during their formative years, it was important that they be shielded from persons who could … Continue reading →

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SAINT EUGENE HAS GOT LOST IN THE FOREST FOR A FEW DAYS

Posted on October 19, 2011 by franksantucci

Saint Eugene has a slight technical problem and will start talking to us again at the end of the week. I am animating a retreat for our local Oblates in a Trappist monastery in the middle of a beautiful forest … Continue reading →

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CHANGE THE WORLD

Posted on October 17, 2011 by franksantucci

The group model that Eugene constantly came back to was that of the apostles and the first Christians: Art. 4. They will remember that they are called to continue the example that the early Christians gave to the world from … Continue reading →

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YEAST IN THE DOUGH

Posted on October 15, 2011 by franksantucci

Not only were the youth to work for their own personal growth and salvation, but through the quality of their lives they were to be like yeast in the “dough” of the world so as to be a source of … Continue reading →

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