Monthly Archives: June 2013

ALWAYS CELEBRATE THE JOY OF EASTER WITH THE COMMUNITY

Posted on June 29, 2013 by franksantucci

The turning point of Eugene’s life came with his experience of God’s love for him as evidenced on the Cross. His Good Friday experience was the door that opened for him to welcome the Risen Christ at Easter. Because of … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

FRATERNAL CORRECTION – BEING MINISTERED TO

Posted on June 28, 2013 by franksantucci

We saw above how the new priest, Bernard Vachon, had been reprimanded by his superior in Aix, and was upset by it. Eugene’s letter continues to reassure him, in a fatherly way, that no personal harm was intended or done. … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment

LOVE THE UNLOVABLE – FRATERNAL CORRECTION AND FORGIVENESS

Posted on June 27, 2013 by franksantucci

One of the challenges of living together in community is having to get on with the different personalities of people. One of the pivots of successful community living is the ability to be honest with one another – particularly when … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment

A CONSTANT REMINDER OF OUR MORTALITY

Posted on June 26, 2013 by franksantucci

In each house of the Society, in order to provide the members who live therein some good thoughts about death, there will always be kept in reserve a crucifix which will be hung in some visible place of a common … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 2 Comments

PRAYING THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS TOGETHER

Posted on June 25, 2013 by franksantucci

During the early months of 1825 we find Eugene and the Oblates preoccupied with revising the Rule of Life that they had written seven years earlier. Their lived experience had led them to make some changes in the text that … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

MISSIONARY ENTHUSIASM HAS TWO HANDS

Posted on June 24, 2013 by franksantucci

The young community was growing – and so were their expenses! In particular, all the candidates who came to join the Missionaries brought no income into the community during their years of formation. This was to be an ongoing source … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

MISSIONARY ENTHUSIASM THAT MEETS ALL CHALLENGES

Posted on June 22, 2013 by franksantucci

Charles-Dominique Albini had joined Eugene’s Missionaries to be a preacher. After his period of initial formation at the novitiate, he was rearing to get into this ministry. Eugene, however, asked him to set aside preaching for a while and concentrate … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

COMING OF AGE

Posted on June 21, 2013 by franksantucci

The texts about translating the Oblate Rule into Latin may not appear very inspiring today. Yet, behind these letters is a very important stage in the development of the Missionary Oblates. After 8 years of existence, the time had come … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment

THE IDENTIFYING QUALITY OF AN OBLATE WORK IS THAT IT IS A CENTER OF ONGOING MISSION

Posted on June 20, 2013 by franksantucci

Eugene reminds the young missionaries that one of the main aims of Oblate ministry was to instruct people who had generally been left ignorant about their faith and confused in their values as a result of the French Revolution. It … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

DEACONS NEED THE STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Posted on June 19, 2013 by franksantucci

Another young Oblate in formation in Aix, Hippolyte Guibert, was preparing to receive ordination to the diaconate. Eugene wrote to congratulate and encourage him. Even though there was not an open persecution, like those of the early Christians by the … Continue reading →

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment