Tag Archives: apostles

A BURNING DESIRE TO DRAW FROM THAT SOURCE AND ATTACH MYSELF IRREVOCABLY TO THAT FOUNDATION STONE

What gave Eugene the inner strength to keep him going? His private journal reflection on the Mass he celebrated at the tomb of Peter, gives us an insight into this: I went for the third time to say holy mass … Continue reading

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THAT MISSIONARY COMMUNITY THAT TRULY RESEMBLES THE CENACLE

The Oblate community was Eugene’s constant point of reference, whenever he was separated from it. His model for our religious missionary life was that of Jesus and the apostles. For him our communities were meant to be “cenacles” – just … Continue reading

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THE IDENTITY OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY: A SHINING EXAMPLE OF A LIFE THAT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

If we wish to achieve the same results as the Apostles and the first followers of the Gospel, we must use the same means as they, and this all the more because we do not have the power to perform … Continue reading

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THE IDENTITY OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY: MISSIONARIES NOT COUCH POTATOES

If we wish to achieve the same results as the Apostles and the first followers of the Gospel, we must use the same means as they… Letter to M. Arbaud, Vicar General of Digne, January 1819, O.W. XIII n.22 The … Continue reading

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THE IDENTITY OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY: HAVING THE SAME ATTITUDE AS JESUS

Continuing his presentation of the vocation of the Missionary, Eugene reflected on how to maintain the spirit of the apostolic model in everyday life: So he ought to do everything to arrive at this desirable holiness which is to produce … Continue reading

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THE IDENTITY OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY: THE ONLY BLUEPRINT

Our present reflection on the letter to the person who wished to join the Missionaries in 1819 is important. In it Eugene sums up the heart of the Missionary vocation after three years of lived experience and reflection. The fundamental … Continue reading

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VOWS: PROMPTED LIKE THE FIRST CHRISTIANS TO SHARE EVERYTHING

The model of how to “BE” was that of Jesus and the apostles, which then evolved into the first Christian community. Regarding the spirit of poverty he wrote: The first Christians followed that counsel faithfully to the letter. They still … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: DRESSING HIS MISSIONARIES FROM HEAD TO TOE

“It is only after having dressed his missionaries from head to foot in this solid armor of virtue that Bishop de Mazenod allows himself to say to them: then, full of confidence ….” YENVEUX, A. Les saintes Règles de la … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: THE SCHOOL OF JESUS

In his Rule, Eugene shares his enthusiastic vision that embraces the whole world. The way to “become” this ideal is to do what Jesus did: In a word, put into practice the same means our Savior employed when he wanted … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: A “WOW” MOMENT!

Eugene is enthralled by the wonder of our vocation. It is made in heaven and is an invitation to enter into the realm of heaven by giving us the charge of being nothing less than the co-operators of the Savior! … Continue reading

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