Monthly Archives: August 2013

A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY ON THE MOVE

Rey describes the 8-day public carriage voyage of Eugene from Genoa to Rome (500 kilometers) The journey of Fr. de Mazenod was made in the best conditions of piety and good company. He travelled in a carriage with a Jesuit, … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

We resume our exploration of Eugene’s journey to Rome in 1825 to ensure the continuity of the Oblates. His main reason for stopping in Turin was to meet with the leaders of the congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 2 Comments

EXILE AS A SCHOOL OF UNDERSTANDING

With the French patriots, the account says, threatening to overrun the whole of Piedmont, my father did not feel his family to be safe in Turin: he made the decision to leave this city to move to Venice, and take … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | 1 Comment

COMPELLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

The treatment was prolonged, so much so that the time for the general confirmation having arrived, there was a fear that Eugene would not be able to take part. His Eminence Cardinal Archbishop Costa, Archbishop of Turin, had the goodness … Continue reading

Posted in PASTORAL LETTER | Tagged | 1 Comment

COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR, BUT THE TRIUMPH OVER IT

Continuing the narrative from Eugene’s diary on his school days in Turin, we read: In the interval between his first communion and his confirmation, namely, between Holy Thursday and Trinity 1792, Eugene gave fresh proof of the delicacy of his … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | 1 Comment

KEEPING COMPANY WITH ROYALTY

This was the time that the Duke of Angouleme and the Duke of Berry, who were refugees in Turin and close to the King, their grandfather, came to visit the College of Nobles, accompanied by His Grace the Duke of … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | 1 Comment

LEARNING LEADERSHIP AT SCHOOL

We have told above how Eugene acquitted himself of his homework. It seems his masters and in particular Father Scati were also happy with his good sense, for he was admitted to first communion before the age of ten. He … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged | 1 Comment

GOING BACK TO HIS OLD SCHOOL

On leaving France, Eugene travelled to Turin, where he wrote: we spent several hours going through, from cellar to attic, their beautiful college of the Nobles, while waiting for Father Rector to return. Letter to Henri Tempier, 8 November 1825, … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY, LETTERS | 1 Comment

COLLECTING TESTIMONIALS FROM WITNESSES OF OBLATE MINISTRY

The purpose of Eugene’s journey to Rome was to seek an official Church approbation of the Missionary Oblates. His Society was tiny, and so he had to back up his request by showing the important evangelizing role that it was … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

MAXIMUM RESPECT FOR GOD

Sending his greetings to all the Oblates, Eugene assures them of how much he appreciates being accompanied by their prayers on his journey. I feel ever more each day the good effect of their prayers which, joined to the indignation … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment