Monthly Archives: January 2016

TODAY: TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF PROCLAIMING THE GREATNESS OF THE SAVIOR

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior” The Mighty One has done great things for me,     and holy is God’s name. God’s mercy is from age to age:     Please note: there will … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: 25 JANUARY 1816 – RECALLING OUR FOUNDING STORY

The all-important first day of community life for the Missionaries was obviously a story often repeated in all its details. In his Memoires, Father Tempier, described it as: “This memorable day that I will never forget for as long as … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: 25 JANUARY 1816 – THE FIRST DAY OF COMMUNITY LIFE

25 January 1816 marked the first day of community life for the Missionaries, with the arrival of the first three members. Eugene had bought some of the Carmelite Convent, with an arrangement that the seller, Madame Gontier, could continue using … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: THE HUMAN FACE OF OUR “FOUNDING FATHERS”

Not all approached by Eugene to join him on 25 January 2016 had the same sentiments as Henri Tempier. In this letter to his friend, Forbin Janson, Eugene gives vent to his feelings in a frank, and rather humorous, description … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: THE WILL AND THE COURAGE TO WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE APOSTLES

If, as I hope, you wish to be one of us, you will not find yourself in unfamiliar territory; you will have four companions. If presently we are not more numerous, it means we wish to choose men who have … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: THE INVITATION TO COME AND “BE” IN ORDER TO “DO”

From the very beginning, Eugene insisted that whatever missionary work was done, its success depended on the quality of life of those doing it. It was the example of the lifestyle of the missionary that was to speak louder than … Continue reading

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NOVENA IN PREPARATION FOR OUR BICENTENARY

As part of our preparations for the USA Oblate province bicentenary celebrations I have prepared a novena for reflection and prayer. Each day has  a lot of material that the user can choose from. As it was prepared for our US Oblates, you may need … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: RECALLING THAT WE ARE NECESSARY FOR THE WORK WHICH THE LORD INSPIRED EUGENE TO UNDERTAKE

God inspired Eugene to begin a missionary congregation, and God invites others to play a role necessary for the success of its mission. The invitation to Henri Tempier continues across the years to all who feel called to participate in … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS LISTEN TO WHAT GOD IS ASKING OF YOU

Eugene’s letter to the 27 year-old diocesan priest, Henri Tempier, is an essential foundation document for us. It contains the seeds of what is essential in our vocation. The letter shows the fundamental starting point of the vocation of any … Continue reading

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OUR BICENTENARY: A DREAM SHARED TO FORM A LIFE-GIVING NUCLEUS THAT WILL BE A SOURCE OF LIFE TO OTHERS

The time had come for Eugene to begin to invite others to join him in his missionary project. As members of the Mazenodian family, lay and religious, we are invited to see in these vocational texts something about our own … Continue reading

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