Monthly Archives: June 2020

EACH ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE LISTENED TO BY THEIR PASTOR

I locked myself into my office to clear my desk. These audiences every day take all of my time. Nevertheless, they are necessary. It is the duty of a bishop to make himself available to all his flock. I have … Continue reading

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FOLKLORE AND WORSHIP

Confirmation in my chapel as on every Monday. Visit of the ox for the Corpus Christi procession. It was intended to bring the animal up to the great hall. The people had invaded the bishop’s residence. I was obliged to … Continue reading

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THIS TIME I CAN SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED. MAY IT REALLY HAVE BEEN ON MY SAVIOUR’S CROSS!

Eugene was no stranger to opposition and to being publicly condemned for political or ecclesiastical reasons. His personal moral behavior had never been doubted or questioned, so this first public calumny cut deeply into him. I was careful to try … Continue reading

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LET US THANK THE LORD WHO HAS HAD ME SHARE ABUNDANTLY IN THE BITTERNESS OF HIS PASSION THIS YEAR

A Good Friday to remember! Thirty years earlier Eugene had received the grace of experiencing the meaning of the Cross in his life. Now in 1838, he had been publicly slandered by a former domestic servant – who was later … Continue reading

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I PRAY GOD THAT HE MAKE ME BEAR WITH INNER RESIGNATION THIS NEW KIND OF HUMILIATION

The repeated bad behavior of one of Eugene’s domestic employees had led to him being dismissed.  In revenge he ambushed the bishop at a public celebration in a church and made  malicious and slanderous accusations about him in front of … Continue reading

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MY TWO FAMILIES

I visited the new cemetery in Aix where I would like to build a chapel to place the venerable remains of my two families…  I would authorize that they publicize all the dead whom they bury in this cemetery and … Continue reading

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THEY REFRESHED MY SPIRIT

In 1813 Eugene had started a congregation of youth in Aix that had had much success. Twenty five years later he was delighted to receive a letter from two former members: Fr Leblanc (who was now a diocesan priest in … Continue reading

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“YOU ARE NECESSARY FOR THE WORK THAT THE LORD INSPIRES US TO UNDERTAKE”

Presentation 9 of the series “Eugene de Mazenod 101” is now available online. https://moodle.ost.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=28 A reminder that you can enroll for this course at any time. It is a basic introduction to Saint Eugene de Mazenod, with suggestions for personal … Continue reading

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ORAISON. JUNE 21: BLESSED JOZEF CEBULA OMI

“In the prolonged silent prayer we make each day, we let ourselves be molded by the Lord, and find in him the inspiration of our conduct” (OMI Rule of Life, 33). The practice of Oraison was an important part of St. Eugene’s daily prayer during … Continue reading

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FRIEND IN HEAVEN AND FRIEND ON EARTH

Friendship was always an important and necessary aspect of Eugene’s life. It is thus easy to understand his special relationship with Lazarus, the Gospel friend of Jesus. It was a relationship that he translated into everyday life. Tradition had it … Continue reading

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