Tag Archives: obedience

A MATURITY OF LOVE THAT FLOWERS IN SELF-SACRIFICE

The Oblates at the time of Eugene (and still today) were missionaries who wanted to spend all their time and energy evangelizing. None of them wanted to be in administration or formators of novices or scholastics. Father Guibert was a … Continue reading

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DROP EVERYTHING AND GET HERE

In vain I write to you to stop, to catch your breath, and you keep on just the same. Eugene’s frustration with Fr Mie is obvious! He then appeals to reason. I make known to you the difficulty I have … Continue reading

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MY CONSCIENCE REQUIRES THAT YOU REST YOURSELF WELL

At the beginning of September Eugene had written to Father Mie insisting that he take a period of rest. A month later, not only had he not taken a rest but had become involved in another pastoral commitment that upset … Continue reading

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LISTEN TO YOUR OBLATE COMMUNITY

Having encouraged Jourdan in his suffering and invited him to place his confidence in God, Eugene now resorts to two further approaches to help him. The first is linked with the authority of the superior of a community of religious. … Continue reading

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NOT AS USEFUL AS THE OTHERS IN COMMUNITY

The young Bourellier was unhappy because he considered himself less useful than those around him. Here Eugene encouraged him by pointing out that whatever he was asked to do in the house, as a service to the community and its … Continue reading

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IT IS JESUS CHRIST WHO MAKES HIS WILL KNOWN

Having exhorted Bourellier to “fully convince yourself that you are quite happy to belong entirely to Jesus Christ,” Eugene continues to remind him that belonging to Jesus Christ involves obedience. Firstly to the Word of God as it is expressed … Continue reading

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CHECKS AND BALANCES

Although he had to stay behind in Aix, Henri Tempier played an important role in the Barjols mission. On questions of health, he was the only one who had any hold on Eugene and he had forbidden him to tire … Continue reading

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THE BE-ATTITUDES: HEART AND HEAD

Today we use the word “holistic” to describe the totality of our commitment. Eugene’s vocabulary for this same concept in the 1818 Rule, and later, was “charity and obedience.” In other words, “heart and head.” To “imitate in everything the … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: OBEDIENCE

In order to be the “most united family” in the world, it was essential that all its members contribute to achieving this ideal: With regard to the Society each member assumes the obligation of living in obedience to the superior … Continue reading

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