Monthly Archives: February 2012

OBLATION DAY: VOWING TO MAKING GOD’S LOVE VISIBLE

Posted on February 29, 2012 by franksantucci

All Saints’ Day has arrived: from three in the morning, those who made up the Chapter are awake; before four o’clock they are all in the chapel praying in front of the altar, preparing themselves for the most beautiful, the … Continue reading →

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DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU

Posted on February 28, 2012 by franksantucci

In his prayer, Eugene now turns to Mary, asking her to accompany him as he lives his new responsibilities. Virgin Mary, my good Mother, had I invoked you more often, I would not have so much cause for lament. Be … Continue reading →

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ON MY FAITHFUL LEADERSHIP DEPENDS THE SALVATION OF MANY

Posted on February 27, 2012 by franksantucci

The nature of the commitment that Eugene and the Missionaries were about to take on was changed by their vows and oblation. It was no longer a temporary membership that could be ended when they tired of it – they … Continue reading →

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A PRAYER FOR REALISM

Posted on February 25, 2012 by franksantucci

On the eve of engaging myself in a great commitment for the rest of my days, I enter into myself… Thus begins Eugene’s journal for the day prayer in preparation for the oblation for life he was to make as … Continue reading →

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RESTORING AND MAINTAINING UNITY

Posted on February 24, 2012 by franksantucci

The annual retreat of the whole group lasted several days more after the General Chapter meeting, and became a preparation for the step of making their oblation on 1 November 1818. The retreat conferences, given by the Superior-General himself, completed … Continue reading →

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GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO EVOLVE WITH OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE

Posted on February 23, 2012 by franksantucci

In all justice to Eugene, we would do him a disservice if we saw his action of bringing the scholastics to vote as a devious ploy to get his own way. The decision that was made with their help proved … Continue reading →

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PRIESTS AND BROTHERS, UNITED TO GOD BY THE VOWS OF RELIGION

Posted on February 22, 2012 by franksantucci

The future of the Missionaries hung in the balance. Eugene was convinced that the direction for the growth of the Society could only be via the route of religious life and professing the evangelical counsels by making vows. Four of … Continue reading →

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THE FUTURE OF THE MISSIONARIES THREATENED FROM WITHIN

Posted on February 21, 2012 by franksantucci

Eugene used the annual retreat of the Missionaries as the opportunity to present to them the Rule that he had compiled. The retreat extended from October 23 to 31, 1818. As the events of this retreat, and of our first … Continue reading →

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ON PERMANENT MISSION WITH MARY

Posted on February 20, 2012 by franksantucci

After visiting Notre Dame du Laus, Eugene wrote this description of the place and of the evangelization that the Missionaries would undertake from there: We have formed an establishment at Notre Dame du Laus thus bringing ourselves into direct relations … Continue reading →

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A SMALL STEP FOR EUGENE, A GIANT LEAP FOR THE MISSIONARIES

Posted on February 18, 2012 by franksantucci

Completing the writing of the Rule, Eugene left St Laurent for Digne, where Brother Moreau was ordained to the priesthood. In the meantime Henri Tempier had come to Digne to join Eugene and the Bishop to negotiate the transfer of … Continue reading →

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