Monthly Archives: February 2016

OUR FOUNDING VISION: THE BONDS OF CHARITY AND OBEDIENCE

In order to be the “most united family” in the world, it was essential that all its members contribute to achieving this ideal: With regard to the Society each member assumes the obligation of living in obedience to the superior … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: MEMBERS OF A FAMILY

 The next three points of our first Rule seem very dry and technical, but underneath them is a wealth of feeling. On entering the Society, the Missionaries must resolve to persevere in it until the end of their lives. The … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: ENSURING EQUILIBRIUM AND COMPLEMENTARITY WITHIN THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY

Equilibrium and complementarity summarize the next section of our first Rule: The Missionaries will divide their group in such a way that while some strive in community to acquire the virtues and knowledge proper to a good missionary, others are … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: THE MISSIONARY SHOWS PEOPLE WHO JESUS IS AND BECOMES A BRIDGE TO HELP THEM TO MEET HIM

A phrase that is almost in danger of passing unnoticed in the description of the life of the Missionaries is: “in preaching and in the direction of youth.” We came into existence for two clear missionary purposes: 1/ to preach … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: THE MISSIONARY IS NOT TO BE A CLANGING CYMBAL OR A DISCHARGED BATTERY

In the first Rule, the missionaries note their desire to live a life of equilibrium that includes the importance of prayer and study so as not to be empty vessels with nothing to give when they are on mission: If … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: ALL OR NOTHING

The undersigned priests … -have the honor of requesting from you the authorization to come together at Aix in the old house of the Carmelites which one of them has acquired; and to live there in community under a Rule … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: IN US AND THROUGH US, GOD’S KINGDOM COME

  Having outlined the major points of their vision statement, the missionaries continued: The undersigned priests: … –and wishing to accomplish it in a manner as useful to themselves as it is beneficial for the people whom they propose to … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: WITHOUT LOVE OF JESUS, EVERYTHING IS USELESS

The missionaries made it clear that they did not come together only to DO a most necessary ministry merely as a workforce, but that they answered a call from God which demanded a response of consecration. It was a call … Continue reading

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FEBRUARY 17: A BACKWARD-LOOKING-CELEBRATION? OR AN INJECTION OF PROPULSION FUEL FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY?

Since 25 January we have been celebrating two hundred years of our existence with gratitude and renewed hope. Today we recall how, ten years later, we received Church approbation of what had happened on that day in 1816. The 17 … Continue reading

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OUR FOUNDING VISION: DARING TO USE SHOCK TREATMENT

In the pitiful religious state in which the people of Provence found themselves, the ordinary means provided by the Church structures were not enough. The people had been at the mercy of various currents of thought over the past 27 … Continue reading

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