Monthly Archives: March 2019

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 →

We have seen how Fr Dupuy had left the Oblates to be a diocesan priest and how he had been appointed pastor of the parish at Osier. On his own, he had asked the Oblates to come to join him … Continue reading →

An insight into Eugene’s wry sense of humor: My dear Courtès. just a brief word, through the courtesy of Father Pons. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from your usual fever. These annoying guests set themselves up … Continue reading →

Eugene, being a bishop and not being allowed to work in Marseilles, offered his episcopal services for performing confirmations and pastoral care among the most abandoned in areas where the local bishop was unable to minister. In this way he … Continue reading →

Eugene, the missionary Oblate, was always aware of seeking out the most abandoned. Now as a bishop, without a diocese or an official function in the Church, he identifies the most abandoned who need his sacramental and pastoral services.  I … Continue reading →