Tag Archives: Preface

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE EVIL ONE

Often in Eugene’s writings we come across the struggle between good and evil where ministry is concerned. Console yourself by realizing that it is a new trick of the enemy of all good from whom it would not be reasonable … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: OBLATION AS A NEW HEART, A NEW SPIRIT, A NEW MISSION

Having enthused about the lofty ideals of the Missionaries and having drawn up the plan of action to achieve them, Eugene now returns to reality. The Nota Bene was written in response to the havoc being caused in the Church … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: HUMAN, CHRISTIAN, SAINT

How to make this ideal a reality in the lives of the people the Missionaries were serving? Their methodology had three steps: to make men reasonable then Christians and finally to help them become saints. 1818 Rule, Part One, Chapter … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: A HOSPITAL FOR SINNERS

The Rule was written in 1818 as an attempt to review the experiences that the Missionaries had lived for nearly three years and to draw out basic principles for the future. The Nota Bene continues Eugene’s description of the post-revolution … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: THE LITMUS TEST OF OBLATION

Why have a demanding program of personal and spiritual growth? The answer is provided in a threefold goal, which occurs hundreds of times in Eugene’s writings because he insists that it must be kept in mind constantly: “the glory of … 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: EXAMPLE IS LEADERSHIP

 The remedy to the tragic situation of the Church – and specifically to the harm done by the “laziness, indifference and corruption among the priests” –  proposed by Eugene is that of the good example of the priests. “Example is … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: ANALYSIS BEFORE ACTION

The Missionaries, dedicated to the process of rebuilding the post-revolution Church of France, dedicated their lives to bringing these abandoned victims of the revolution into the fullness of communion with Jesus Christ and the members of his Body. In order … Continue reading

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NOTA BENE: A PAINFUL BETRAYAL

In her distress, the Church, portrayed as a mother, calls out for help. Who can the Church confidently turn to for help? Surely, the very persons that she can obviously rely on with unfailing confidence are her priests. In this … Continue reading

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