Monthly Archives: November 2019

Visit from my uncle in my room in an extraordinary state of jubilation bearing in his hand the royal ordinance that names me Bishop of Marseilles consequent upon the resignation that this venerable old man has tendered of his Diocese. … Continue reading →

From our hymnals, certain ridiculous and out-of-place expressions of love must also be removed; verses that are significant and inspiring of piety are what is needed. Letter to Jean Baptiste Mille, 6 April 1837, EO IX n 611 He repeats … Continue reading →

During the preaching of parish missions the Oblates aimed at maximum involvement by the people. Singing was one of them, but with certain conditions: In the missions. I recommend you use hymns with a refrain, which the congregation can repeat. … Continue reading →

Zeal for the salvation of souls was a missionary quality which the Oblates had. Yet this same zeal could lead some of then to exaggerated efforts. In his journal Eugene expressed his concern to one of them: Letter to Father … Continue reading →

This Holy Saturday ordination brings me back the memory of the first I had the happiness of doing on the same day in 1833. In the previous journal entry, Eugene had described the priestly ordination of Charles Bellon, and now … Continue reading →

Eugene wrote in his personal journal: Holy Saturday: Ordination of our worthy Brother Bellon… Our hopes could not be higher for this well-beloved child, who not only has never earned the least reproach since he entered the Congregation, but has … Continue reading →

The approach of the Oblates was always to be close to the people, especially the poorest and most abandoned. In Provence these were the people who did not understand much French, so the Oblates preached in the Provencal language. Father … Continue reading →

Sometimes when we encounter opposition, and even hostility, in our living and expressing Gospel values, we are tempted to respond negatively. Eugene counteracts this here: We are the ministers of his mercy, and so let us always have the tenderness … Continue reading →

Yesterday we read Eugene’s reaction in his personal journal to the incident where Father Guigues had received opposition from some young people. Today we read Eugene’s response to him which reasserts the pastoral attitude which he expected all the members … Continue reading →

Letter from Father Guigues. The Theys mission that he is currently giving, with his colleagues from the house of N. D. de l’Osier, is going wonderfully. The missionaries are in the confessional from morning to evening. They have it is … Continue reading →