Monthly Archives: August 2013

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF TRAVEL

Some more extracts from the description of Eugene’s long journey which show that he was getting irritable at times with the behavior of some people. The innkeeper, who had engaged his word as postmaster that I would leave, gave me … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | 1 Comment

FUSS ABOUT A HAT

Even were my uncle to label me with the title of being a scatterbrain, I ought not to pass over in silence a rather annoying little mishap which happened to me at this place. In a hurry to get to … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | 1 Comment

THE SLOW JOURNEY TO ROME

26 October 1825 marked the beginning of Eugene’s journey to Rome, which was to keep him away from Marseille for 8 months. During this period he wrote regularly to Henri Tempier and also made entries in his diary. Whereas the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | 1 Comment

GO, FATHER, GO

  For Eugene, having to go to Rome to ask for approbation of the Oblates was a big gamble. The group was small and he risked appearing presumptuous and being rejected in Rome. Leflon describes Eugene’s indecision: “Once again, the … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged | 1 Comment

A JOURNEY FOR SURVIVAL

It was obvious to Eugene that to ensure the future of the Oblates, he needed to approach the Pope to be officially recognized as a religious congregation in the Church. It took him a long time to take the first … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment

THE OBLATES IN TUNE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

In many earlier entries we have seen the vocal opposition expressed by many of the priests of Aix to Eugene’s ministry and to that of the Oblates during their early years of existence. This letter shows how positively the relationship … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

TIME FOR A NEW BEGINNING

The Jubilee is soon going to open in France. Your Eminence knows that in that country Jubilees are celebrated by means of missions, which means that they preach twice daily for a full month wherever the Jubilee is being made. … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

THE SACRED HEART: OUR NOURISHMENT, OUR COMPANION AND OUR FRIEND

The command, “Love the Lord with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:4), has been an obligation which has expressed the totality of the person’s response to the love of our God who gives all. The symbolic expression for this in the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS, WRITINGS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

NEW LOOK

Brother Rusty Gardiner OMI has designed an experimental Mazenodian banner for us. Thank you to Rusty and to all who support the publication of these reflections. The text in the background is that of the retreat notes written by Saint … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

Short pause

There will be a pause in these daily reflections for a few days, while I complete my summer animation activities and travel back to San Antonio for the new academic term. In the meantime, there are plenty of older Saint Eugene texts … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Leave a comment