Tag Archives: fatherhood

NURTURING THE NEW PLANT

Very soon after the arrival of the new community of Oblates in Nimes, Eugene wrote them a letter full of advice. It gives the impression of a an anxious parent standing by as he watches a child taking his first … Continue reading

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A LIFE-LONG FRIEND AND CONFIDANT OF THE FOUNDER

We are beginning to make the acquaintance of the first generation of Oblates who came in after the initial founding group. These are names we will frequently come across in the writings of Eugene – Oblates who have left their … Continue reading

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I BELONG ABOVE ALL AND PRINCIPALLY TO THIS OBLATE FAMILY

Wherever he was, and whatever he was doing, Eugene was always first and foremost an Oblate. It was as Oblate that he was a priest, and later he was first Oblate and then the bishop of a diocese. His Oblate … Continue reading

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I MAY REJOICE AT THE BIRTH OF A MAN AND OF A SAINT IN THIS CHERISHED FAMILY OF GOD

The father and founder of the Oblates rejoiced when he received a letter from Joseph-Hippolyte Guibert, informing him that he had passed thru his crisis and was now at peace with following his vocation. The letter which you have had … Continue reading

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YOU SADDEN GOD’S PATERNAL HEART ONLY BY LACKING CONFIDENCE IN HIS GOODNESS

The 23 year-old Jacques Antoine Jourdan had been ordained a priest in 1822 and immediately joined the Missionaries by entering the novitiate at Notre Dame du Laus. In February 1823 he made his oblation in Aix and joined the missionary … Continue reading

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OUR HOUSE IS A TRUE HEAVEN ON EARTH

As Eugene charges the scholastics to live always in communion with one another, one can recognize echoes of John 17,21: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one–as you are in me, Father, … Continue reading

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I EXULT WITH JOY AND I PRIDE MYSELF AT HAVING YOU AS CHILDREN

The father of the Oblate family expresses his joy because of the younger members who are preparing to become Missionaries. He rejoices because of their obvious generosity, their missionary zeal and their desire for religious perfection. As you know, you … Continue reading

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RENEW YOURSELF WITHOUT DELAY IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR VOCATION

Hilarion Bourrelier had shared his confusion and anguish with Eugene, while he was spending time in Laus, and had later written to express his doubts and confusion. Eugene responded: You could not please me more, my dear Bourrelier, than by … Continue reading

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I HAVE ALWAYS REGARDED YOU AS MY CHERISHED SON, EVER SINCE THE LORD CONFIDED YOU TO MY CARE, SINCE I ENGENDERED YOU IN JESUS CHRIST

In our exploration of Eugene’s writings of 1821 we have seen his concern to maintain the spirit of the Missionaries, and his joy at seeing how this was in effect taking place. The membership of the Society was made up … Continue reading

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A FATHER WHO LOVES HIS FAMILY

The affectionate Eugene wrote to the young oblates in Laus as soon as he returned to Aix after his visit. We see here the emotive Provencal Eugene who pours out his love for the members of his religious family. Whenever … Continue reading

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