Monthly Archives: June 2014

THE ANNOYANCE OF GOOD EXAMPLE

Continuing to reflect on the news he is receiving in Rome about the preaching in Aix, Eugene responds to the indifference and criticism of some of the participants in the missions. I have not understood what Fr. Courtès wished to say … Continue reading

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ROLLING BALLS OF FIRE IN DANGER OF BURNOUT

Receiving news of the zealous preaching and ministry of the Oblates during the jubilee celebrations in Aix, Eugene responded: The news that you give me about the Jubilee of Aix is murderous. It is not possible for our Brothers to … Continue reading

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I COULD NOT HELP THINKING OF THAT BRILLIANT AND EDIFYING YOUTH CONGREGATION I HAD FOUNDED AT AIX

Describing a visit to one of the large Jesuit houses in Rome, Eugene was prompted to write: You could hear at the same time some other voices, in every part of the house, singing the divine praises; those were other … Continue reading

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I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL THESE FACTS OF THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH

Before Eugene was able to leave Rome, he still had to complete some formalities with the Vatican. While waiting, he filled in his time with various occupations that he writes about in his diary. One of them was to read … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: RECEIVE WITH FRESH ENTHUSIASM THIS RULE OF LIFE THAT HAS BEEN JOYFULLY GIVEN TO US

In consequence, receive with delight this code of our Rules that I joyfully send you. Keep these Rules with the most scrupulous care; they have been judged by the Sovereign Pontiff as very appropriate to bring souls to perfection; may … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: A SPIRIT OF OBLATION TO CHANGE THE WORLD OF THE MOST ABANDONED

Eugene concludes his official narration of the events of our approbation with the exhortation to respond by making their own the words of Saint Paul: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Now, … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: OUR HISTORY AS A VISION OF GOD’S CREATION ON THE MOVE

Thomas Jefferson said that he liked the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. Yet, for Eugene, our history and its human instruments helped us to understand God’s plan for us for the future. We have … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: APPRECIATION OF THE OBLATES BY THE POPES

Going against the advice of his cardinals, Pope Leo made it clear that “ it was his will that our Society, whose value seemed evident to him, receive the guarantee of the solemn approbation.” In the somewhat flowery language of … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE INVITATION TO TRACE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR HISTORY

Then in a poetic way, Eugene invites us to re-read the events from God’s perspective: Normally the same fate would have been in store for us. But divine Providence, which from our cradle has surrounded us with vigilant care, and … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: THE INVITATION TO BE GENEROUS AS GOD HAS BEEN GENEROUS WITH US

In helping the Oblates to understand and live the grace of the enormous blessing that God has given to the Congregation, Eugene points out that we have the responsibility to respond with a quality of work that measures up to … Continue reading

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