Monthly Archives: February 2013

CATECHETICAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE MUCH MORE USEFUL TO THE UNEDUCATED THAN BEAUTIFUL SERMONS

During the months of October and November, the Missionaries had joined the Jesuits for a mission to the city of Gap, near the Alps. The language of the mission was French and in this connection Eugene refers to a letter … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

IN PREACHING, COUNT A LITTLE MORE ON THE HELP OF GRACE RATHER THAN ON YOUR EXCESSIVE EFFORTS

Marius Suzanne was 24 years old and learning the work of preaching missions. In this letter Eugene guides him by giving him feedback from some of his listeners during the mission in Gap The Bishop of Gap has written to … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

GUIDING A GROUP OF YOUNG ENTHUSIASTS

Even though the major part of Eugene’s time and energy were now spent on serving the Church in Marseille, his foremost preoccupation was always the Missionary Oblates. As Founder and Superior General he took an active interest in everything connected … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

OBLATION FOR LOVE OF THE CHURCH

The first couple of years of Eugene’s presence in Marseille as Vicar General were demanding because there was so much to be done to re-establish the diocese after the absence of a bishop on the spot for over 20 years. … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

MEN OF THE BISHOPS – AS MISSIONARY RELIGIOUS IN COMMUNITY

For the sake of peace, Eugene concludes his letter to the Bishop of Fréjus by accepting the fact of the men who have left the Misisonaries to return to the diocese. For, when all is said and done, since those … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

LOYALTY TO THE BISHOPS AS OUR FATHERS AND NATURAL GUARDIANS

We continue reflecting on Eugene’s letter to the Bishop of Fréjus on the crisis which he had provoked by removing his men from the Missionaries. In earlier entries we have seen the collateral damage that this caused. Through the imprudence … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | 2 Comments

HOW MUCH AUTHORITY DO BISHOPS HAVE OVER THE OBLATES?

We have been following the saga of the Provencal bishops nearly destroying Eugene’s Missionaries. We have seen how Eugene managed to calm the storm with the Archbishop of Aix and among the Missionaries within the Society itself. His next step … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 3 Comments

17 FEBRUARY 1826: THE CHURCH RECOGNIZES THAT EUGENE’S FOUNDATION IS A GOD-GIVEN CHARISM FOR US TODAY

On 18 February 1826, Eugene wrote this good news from Rome to his Oblate brothers in France: My dear friend, my dear brothers, on February 17, 1826, yesterday evening, the Sovereign Pontiff Leo XII confirmed the decision of the congregation … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | 1 Comment

17 FEBRUARY 1826: IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR A RELIGIOUS FAMILY TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE CHURCH

Fr. Fernand Jetté, Oblate Superior General from 1974 -1986, reflects on the meaning of this anniversary of the Church’s approval for us. It is essential for a religious family to be recognized by the Church, for it is the Church … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , | 3 Comments

RESTORING HARMONY WITH THE DIOCESE OF AIX

A few days after the retreat in Aix, during which the community had come to terms with the situation, Eugene spent time with the Archbishop of Aix, and that situation was cleared as well as Leflon narrates The attitude maintained … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 2 Comments