Monthly Archives: March 2019

The only appropriate expression of the gratitude we owe God for this miracle is a firm resolution to walk always in his presence according to our vocation, in the exact observance of our Rules. Letter to Bruno Guigues, 3 September … Continue reading →

My dear Father Guigues, I have just left the altar where I offered the holy sacrifice in thanksgiving for the happy conclusion to the affair that means so much to us. Father Vincens is bringing you the copy of the … Continue reading →

Eugene was the one to whom the Holy Spirit had given the charism. As Founder and Superior General it was his duty to ensure that the Oblates lived and missioned according to his spirit. He was particularly insistent when it … Continue reading →

“Regularity” refers to following the Oblate Rule of Life (“regula” – hence “regularity” is following the Rule and guiding one’s life by it). A young and dynamic community would attract many people to the sanctuary devotions and sacraments, but also … Continue reading →

Eugene had placed great responsibility on the shoulder of the 29 year -old Fr Guigues: to assume responsibility for the Marian shrine and to work at increasing the number of pilgrims and to ensure that the Oblate community ran smoothly … Continue reading →

Imagine a 29 year-old Oblate being tasked with the responsibility of starting a brand new ministry in a shrine and being appointed religious superior of a 26 year-old hyperactive and extremely intelligent Oblate (Dassy) and also of a newly professed … Continue reading →

Our chronological reading of Eugene’s letters introduces us to the Oblate missionary, Joseph Ambroise Vincens, who became an important figure on the history of the Congregation. At the age of 27 he was ordained a diocesan priest for the Archdiocese … Continue reading →

Eugene concludes his letter to the Bishop of Grenoble by telling him that he would be sending Father Vincens to join the new Oblate community at Notre Dame de l’Osier. The man that I am assigning to increase the little … Continue reading →

Then, to allay any fears that the Bishop could have about the independence of a religious congregation in his diocese, Eugene hastens to assure him of the relationship he expects the Oblates to have with the local bishop of the … Continue reading →

To further convince the Bishop of Grenoble, Eugene now describes the ideals of the Oblate Congregation in glowing terms through the experience of Fr Dupuy: He had come to know and appreciate the priests of our Congregation; he knew that … Continue reading →