Monthly Archives: June 2013

I SEE LITTLE DISADVANTAGE IN POSTPONEMENT BUT MUCH IN HURRYING

Eugene had been asked to give a dimissorial letter for Adrien Telmon [ed. the go-ahead given by a major superior for one of the members of his community to be admitted to the “ecclesiastical state” and be formally acknowledged as … Continue reading

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I TOOK HIM UNDER MY WING AND ALWAYS CONSIDERED HIM AS MY OWN SON

Do you really mean, my dear friend, to ask from me the dimissorial letters of Telmon for his tonsure? For a youngster who has given us grief up until a day or so ago… Letter to Hippolyte Courtès, 24 November … Continue reading

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AN APPEAL FOR REST BETWEEN PARISH MISSIONS

I insist that each one takes a rest of fifteen days between one mission and another. Letter to Pierre Mie, 3 December 1824, quoted by Rey I page 340 The zeal of the young Missionaries had to be nurtured. On … Continue reading

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THE MISSION IS GOING MARVELOUSLY

Eugene rejoices at how well his Oblate team was doing in the parish mission in Allauch. As we read his comments, we catch something of the enthusiasm of this group of young Missionaries. The mission of Allauch is going marvelously … Continue reading

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EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PHYSICALLY A PART OF IT, ALL MINISTRY BELONGS TO THE COMMUNITY

Once Eugene had chosen which Oblates would participate in the parish mission in Allauch, one member of the community remained disappointed at not having been chosen for the team. Eugene wrote to him: Don’t be anxious, what is postponed will … Continue reading

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THE NEED FOR ADVANCE THINKING AND PASTORAL PLANNING

The young Missionaries had zealously committed themselves to preaching a parish mission at very short notice in Allauch, a market town in the vicinity of Marseille Can one allow oneself to be so thoughtless as to commit oneself to a … Continue reading

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VOCATIONS: SOME ARE DRAWN TO ANSWER THAT CALL THROUGH THE JOY AND GENEROSITY OF OUR LIVES

After that brief recapping of the life of St Eugene, I resume the ongoing reflections on his letters in chronological order. This means that there is no specific order in the themes dealt with. I remind you that if you … Continue reading

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WHO IS SAINT EUGENE? THE FATHER AND FOUNDER WHO CALLS US TO LIVE AS A FAMILY UNITED BY HIS MEMORY

Father Fabre’s first circular letter to the Oblates after the General Chapter which elected him to be Eugene’s successor contains the invitation: Let us be united in spirit and in heart and we will be strong for doing what is … Continue reading

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WHO IS SAINT EUGENE? THE SPIRIT OF SAINT EUGENE CONTINUES TO BE ALIVE

After Eugene’s death a General Chapter of the Oblates was convoked in 1861. At the opening session two of the senior members of the Congregation spoke: Father Tempier and Bishop Guibert. Father Tempier opened the General Chapter by declaring his … Continue reading

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WHO IS SAINT EUGENE? BISHOP OF MARSEILLE

1837 – nomination as Bishop of Marseille, the second-largest city of France Here I am in fact pastor and chief pastor of a diocese which, whatever one says of it, is not inhabited by saints. It was given me, I … Continue reading

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