Monthly Archives: November 2011

A HOLISTIC CONCERN

The Youth Congregation was concerned with every aspect of the well-being of its members and was concerned with what made them happy or sad. The Rule for the young people had to be immediate and practical in order to appeal … Continue reading

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YOU DID IT TO ME

The Youth Congregation was centred on the welfare of each young member. Continuing to develop the concept of the Congregation as a caring mother, Eugene explains what the young person has the right to expect when he becomes a member … Continue reading

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A BODY THAT BRINGS LIFE

For Eugene the Youth Congregation was not an institution, but a living body of young people who, together, had a motherly function for one another. Thus as a “mother” the congregation’s members engage themselves: Art. 3. By her example and … Continue reading

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THROUGH THE EYES OF THE SAVIOUR

Art. 2. It is to fulfill this duty for them that the Congregation will give all its members the most comprehensive instruction on all points of their religion either to teach them to know it well, or to provoke them … Continue reading

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VIRTUE AS A SEED

As a spiritual mother, the Youth Congregation wanted its members to understand their identity as Christians and to live accordingly. Eugene uses the word “virtue” often in this context – virtue as a quality or behaviour considered morally good or … Continue reading

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THE YOUTH CONGREGATION AS MOTHER

Exploring the Rules of 1813 and the later Statutes written by Eugene as a Rule of Life for the youth, one is surprised by how detailed and all-encompassing they are. Furthermore, all this did not remain on the level of … Continue reading

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A NOTE ON THESE ENTRIES ABOUT EUGENE’S YOUTH CONGREGATION

Some ask why I have been publishing the daily reflection on such detailed aspects of the Rule of the Youth Congregation, founded by Eugene in 1813. I have three reasons: 1/ My long-term aim with this blog is to have … Continue reading

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GUARDING AGAINST DESPAIR

In Eugene’s ministry we find him accompanying the dying and staying with them until the moment of death. He wanted to assure that the person have a peaceful death and not give in to temptations to despair and to turn … Continue reading

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UNITED IN SORROW

When the last hours of the sick young man had arrived, all the members of the Youth Congregation were asked to live them in solidarity. The bells of the parish church would be rung to indicate that someone was dying. … Continue reading

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A TOUCH OF REALISM

Eugene was so involved in the lives of each congregant, and so it was natural that it was he who would want to administer the sacrament of the sick to the young person in danger of death. But we see … Continue reading

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