Tag Archives: poor

WE ARE DETERMINED TO BEGIN WITH THE VILLAGES

Eugene continues to show the direction of the decisions made regarding their choice of ministry. Forbin Janson had invited them to assist him in the preaching of two city missions. Eugene and the Missionaries refuse, seeing their calling towards the … Continue reading

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EVANGELIZING POOR PEOPLE OF THE RURAL AREAS RATHER THAN CITY DWELLERS

The time of enforced rest for Eugene was a time of blessing not only for him but for the future of the Missionaries as well. Being forced to stop and reflect, he was given the opportunity to clarify important issues … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: APPLYING THE GOSPEL TO SPECIFIC LIFE SITUATIONS

An example of how the missions aimed to bring to all groups to live the Gospel within the context of their particular life situations is found in the mission preached in 1849 in Manchester. The Oblates in England responded to … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE ATTRACTION AND DANGER OF COMFORT ZONES

The outreach of the missionaries to the women and girls was always the most successful and rewarding. Eugene tells us that in Marignane the women and young ladies were brought together at two o’clock in the afternoon… The gathering was … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDY IN ORDER TO PREACH WELL

The missionary, as the instrument of Jesus Christ the Saviour, must pray but he must also study. From the very first rule of life drawn up in January 1816, the principle was established that one part of the life of … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE BY GIVING CATECHETICAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH ARE MUCH MORE USEFUL TO THE IGNORANT THAN BEAUTIFUL DISCOURSES

Thus their closeness to the people made them favour the lowly at all times, but not to the exclusion of anyone else’s right to the benefits of salvation. For many of the early Oblates, this was not an issue since … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: CLOSE TO ALL PEOPLE, BUT PARTICULARLY TO THE POOR

Eugene’s reply to Honorat underlined the values behind their missions and what it meant to see people through the eyes of the Saviour. It was to the lowly that they were sent: I worry little about the infinitely small number … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: AIM TO BRING BACK THOSE WHO HAD STRAYED

The Rule described the principal aim of their missions as to bring back to the Church those who had strayed: it is supremely important, it is urgently imperative, that we lead the multitude of lost sheep back to the fold, … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE MISSIONARIES

Since the missions are one of the principal ends of the Institute, all will strive principally to fulfil this task well. 1818 Rule, Chapter Two, §1, Article 1. During Eugene’s lifetime the Oblates in France had animated some 3000 parish … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: NOT AIMED AT THE ALREADY SAVED

The Oblate choice can be seen in an incident at the beginning of a mission in a village in the Diocese of Digne. On arriving at the rectory they were presented with their letter of faculties from the Bishop, in … Continue reading

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