Monthly Archives: November 2015

IN THANKSGIVING FOR ALL GOD’S BLESSINGS – ESPECIALLY THE GIFT OF 200 YEARS OF OBLATE LIFE AND MISSION

THANKSGIVING PAUSE TILL DECEMBER 1

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THE SAVIOR’S LOVE VERSUS MOTHER’S LOVE

Thirty years later, Eugene still vividly remembered the struggle he had in order to go against his mother’s opposition to his vocation. Her reaction, and that of his grandmother, must have been very extreme for him to use such strong … Continue reading

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THE CERTAINTY THAT SOMETHING MAKES SENSE, REGARDLESS OF HOW IT TURNS OUT

Seeing himself and the world through the eyes of the Crucified Savior led Eugene to the unwavering certainty of being called to a life of total oblation at the service of the Savior. Madame de Mazenod was certainly not convinced, … Continue reading

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DRAWN INTO THE DIVINE ADVENTURE   

Convinced that his vocation to respond to the Savior’s love as a priest came from God, Eugene now had to convince his unimpressed mother that he had no choice but to obey. He wrote to her: to communicate to you … Continue reading

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THAT I DEVOTE MYSELF ESPECIALLY TO HIS SERVICE AND TRY TO REAWAKEN THE FAITH THAT IS BECOMING EXTINCT AMONG THE POOR

“Through the eyes of the crucified Savior” – a life-changing realization of God’s love for Eugene. Having completed his discernment process, Eugene no longer had any doubts. The Savior whose love he had experienced from the cross, was challenging him … Continue reading

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THE SOURCE OF YOUR CONFIDENCE LIES IN WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR YOU

As Father Magy accompanied Eugene in his vocational discernment, he expressed the heart of all spirituality: it is a lifelong response to what God has done in a person’s life. In the life of each of us there is a … Continue reading

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GO FOR IT! COURAGE! SET EVERYTHING ON FIRE

As the time approached for Eugene to take the decisive step to go to the seminary and prepare himself for priestly ministry, his spiritual director, Father Magy, gave him ongoing support and encouragement.    “O happy day, the anniversary of … Continue reading

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PRESENCE – THE CEMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS

As friendship was important to Eugene, so much more important was its expression in the presence of God. Having asked his friend Emmanuel to pray for him and support him in his discernment, he then proposes a practical way of … Continue reading

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THE NEED FOR COMPANIONSHIP ON THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY

Just because a person has had a strong religious experience, and is in a process of discernment as to how to live it out, it does not automatically mean that life gets any easier. As much as one needs spiritual … Continue reading

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THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR CRUCIFIED SAVIOR: BECAUSE HE GIVES DIRECTION WHEN WE ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING DIRECTION

Conversion and discernment are not once-off events. We have major moments of understanding and conversion and commitment to a life direction and lifestyle – but these have to be renewed on a constant basis. Each day we need to renew … Continue reading

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