Monthly Archives: January 2012

I FUNCTION AS A MERE MACHINE IN EVERYTHING THAT CONCERNS ME PERSONALLY

Eugene, whose life was totally dedicated to serving others, now came to an important realization: he could only serve others well if he looked after his own welfare. Otherwise he would have nothing to offer to others: The need was … Continue reading

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STOP AND TAKE STOCK

After our in-depth exploration of the Youth Congregation, I now continue with the writings of St Eugene in chronological order. The second part of 1817 had been demanding for Eugene, who had spent 5 months in Paris trying to assure … Continue reading

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MY BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN YOUTH CONGREGATION

The OMI General Archives in Rome have the originals of 238 letters written by members of the Youth Congregation to Eugene. Reacting to one of them around 20 years later; Eugene wrote: It originates with a good priest that I … Continue reading

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UNLESS COMMITMENT IS MADE, THERE ARE ONLY PROMISES AND HOPES

For the sake of completion I reproduce here the text of the act of commitment that each young person professed and signed on the day of his definitive acceptance as a member if the Youth Congregation. ACT OF CONSECRATION  We, … Continue reading

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A SOLEMN COMMITMENT

Once the six-month probationary period was completed, the young person could apply for full admission. His application and qualities were discussed by the council, who if they found him to be suitable, would recommend that he be accepted by the … Continue reading

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LEARNING TO HANDLE RESPONSIBILITY

Eugene, as director, ensured the communication and maintenance of the spirit he wished to convey to the members of the Youth Congregation. There was a clearly defined infrastructure of people to help him in his task, and whose opinions and … Continue reading

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PEER-GROUP COACHING

Art 79. There are four zealots… The four people who exercised the function of “zealots” were an important vehicle used by Eugene to communicate and train other in his spirit. He stated that Art 81. The office of the zealots … Continue reading

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COMMITMENT TO HOLISTIC PERSONAL GROWTH

The young man had to undergo a trial period (postulancy) that lasted a minimum of six months. During this period he was personally accompanied in his human and spiritual development by other young men who were specifically designated for this, … Continue reading

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ENTRY PROCEDURES – APPLICANTS WHO WERE CAPABLE OF FORMING PART OF AN ELITE CORPS

The conditions of entry were demanding, each applicant was scrutinised to ensure that he was born of “honest and irreproachable parents,” and that he had the qualities necessary to profit by the good example he would receive in the Congregation, … Continue reading

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PREPARING SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUTH TO FUNCTION IN HARMONY

For over two months now, the daily reflection has been on the topic of the Youth Congregation that Eugene began in 1813 and to which he dedicated the major part of his time and energy until the end of 1815. … Continue reading

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