Monthly Archives: November 2012

GOD’S PLANS THWARTED BY HUMAN WEAKNESS AND OPPOSITION

Reflecting on the grace he had received in prayer, Eugene approached the situation realistically. He saw two obstacles to the fulfillment of God’s plan for the Missionaries. The first was his own personal lack of virtue to be as effective … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

WITH MORE VIRTUES I WOULD HAVE MORE WISDOM AND ABILITY TO OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES

In prayer in front of the newly-blessed statue, Eugene had experienced a moment of profound consolation as he received a prophetic glimpse into the future of the Missionary Oblates. This young plant that was growing was indeed blessed by God … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A MILESTONE IN THE LIFE OF OUR FAMILY

Eugene’s letters of 1822 have shown the many concerns and difficulties he was experiencing. Not least among these was his worry about the survival and future of his small group of Missionaries. It was in this spirit that he blessed … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

MARY IMMACULATE, A GUIDING LIGHT IN EUGENE’S LIFE

To this end, I invoke the intercession of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, daring to remind her in all humility, but with consolation, of the filial devotion of my whole life, and of the desire … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged | 2 Comments

THE FERVOR WITH WHICH I WAS INSPIRED AT THE SIGHT OF THE STATUE OF THE HOLY VIRGIN

When Eugene told us always to regard Mary as our Mother, he was sharing his own deep conviction and personal experience with us. I had not felt for a long time as much joy in speaking of her grandeur and … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 5 Comments

SHARING THE IMPORTANT MOMENTS OF LIFE

The blessing of this statue was the opportunity for Eugene to spend the day reflecting with the members of the Youth Congregation on the role of Mary in their lives. In the evening other members of the laity joined the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

THE OBLATE MADONNA

In the midst of all his concerns, Eugene celebrated the feast of the Assumption. It was a day which was to leave a permanent impression on the history of our Mazenodian family – and so it is important to explore … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged | 1 Comment

LIGHTENING THE BURDENS OF THE LEADER THRU PRAYER

As we are seeing, the demanding ministry of the Missionaries was bearing a lot of fruit, but was at the same time the source of abundant criticism and opposition. It was Eugene, as the superior of this group, who carried … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

RIVALRY BETWEEN CITIES

The heated feelings around the re-establishment of the Diocese of Marseille were also felt in Aix. A group of Aix priests, unhappy at the great popularity of the Mission church, were now accusing Eugene of being responsible for dividing the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 5 Comments

WE MUST LEAVE OURSELVES IN THE HANDS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND PRAY GOD TO DIRECT EVENTS

1822 was the year when Marseille was on the map with the movement to restore the Diocese of Marseille, which the French Revolution had closed. There had been no bishop present for 21 years as this territory was administered by … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment