Monthly Archives: July 2013

PREACH WITH SIMPLICITY IN ORDER TO CONVERT, NOT TO PLEASE

Posted on July 31, 2013 by franksantucci

Eugene encourages his missionaries in their style of modest preaching by noting how loved they are by the simple people who appreciate the Oblates’ closeness to them. I have noted with exquisite consolation that all good people and especially those … Continue reading →

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HE THINKS HE IS DOING GOOD AND DOES NOT KNOW ANY BETTER

Posted on July 30, 2013 by franksantucci

The 31 year-old Jean Joseph Touche was already a priest when he joined the Oblates. One of the historians of Laus tells us that Father Touche had “a flare for the unconventional that was more or less careless and his … Continue reading →

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A COMMUNITY LEADER KNOWS, GOES AND SHOWS THE WAY

Posted on July 29, 2013 by franksantucci

By the end of 1825 the Oblates consisted of 22 fully professed members (15 priests and 7 scholastics) and had communities in Aix en Provence, Notre Dame du Laus, Marseille and Nimes. An expanding mission needed sufficient personnel to support … Continue reading →

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THE PRACTICE OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

Posted on July 26, 2013 by franksantucci

In all families there are moments of tension, misunderstanding and harsh words. The Oblate family was not spared. The newly-ordained Hippolyte Guibert had been reported to Eugene as having passed comments to someone else on one of the members of … Continue reading →

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ATTACHMENT TO FAMILY

Posted on July 25, 2013 by franksantucci

Having turned down his mother’s invitation to spend some days with her, Eugene then invited her to go to the Bishop’s house in Marseille and spend some time with him. Do not delay in coming to console me in this … Continue reading →

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FAMILY AS GOD’S GIFT TO YOU

Posted on July 24, 2013 by franksantucci

Family was important for Eugene. We have seen something of the role he played in the family of his sister, Eugenie de Boisgelin, and particularly how he accompanied the illness and death of his niece, Caroline. Now, back in Marseille, … Continue reading →

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HOLY PRIESTS, THIS IS OUR WEALTH!

Posted on July 23, 2013 by franksantucci

After the priestly ordination of Hippolyte Guibert, Eugene wrote to Jean Baptiste Honorat, who had been unable to be present at the Oblate family celebration. God knows with what joy and with what unspeakable consolation I pronounced the “scio et … Continue reading →

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I KNOW HIM AND I TESTIFY TO HIS WORTHINESS

Posted on July 22, 2013 by franksantucci

A moment of great joy for Eugene: presenting one of his Oblates for priestly ordination. Hippolyte Guibert had finished his studies and was ready to be a missionary. He was 22 years old, and this needed a pontifical dispensation to … Continue reading →

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A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE

Posted on July 20, 2013 by franksantucci

Writing from Paris, he speaks about having to buy some cassocks, the garment worn by priests and religious. I quote the letter because it touches on some interesting points. … In regard to expenses, I believe my uncle will be … Continue reading →

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ONE WHO PUTS A HAND TO THE PLOUGH AND LOOKS BACK

Posted on July 19, 2013 by franksantucci

Eugene was so totally convinced of the magnificence of the Oblate vocation and of the obligation to remain faithful to the vows that had been pronounced by the Oblates, that he could not understand how anyone could go back on … Continue reading →

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