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Recent Posts
- IT IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE START OF THE CONGREGATION THAT I HAVE HEARD SUCH AN EVIL-SOUNDING WORD
- BECOME ONE WITH YOUR SUPERIOR, SO THAT YOU AND HE ARE OF ONE HEART, ONE MIND, ONE WILL
- MY HEART OF A FATHER WAS FULL OF LOVE FOR YOU WHO ARE DOUBLY MY SON
- WE MUST DISCOVER ALL THESE ADVANTAGES IN THE BLESSED CONGREGATION THAT HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO US
- YOU MUST BE A FATHER TO YOUR NOVICES, YOU MUST BE CLOSE TO THEM IN THEIR DIFFICULTIES AND ENCOURAGE THEM
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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on BECOME ONE WITH YOUR SUPERIOR, SO THAT YOU AND HE ARE OF ONE HEART, ONE MIND, ONE WILL
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on MY HEART OF A FATHER WAS FULL OF LOVE FOR YOU WHO ARE DOUBLY MY SON
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on WE MUST DISCOVER ALL THESE ADVANTAGES IN THE BLESSED CONGREGATION THAT HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO US
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on YOU MUST BE A FATHER TO YOUR NOVICES, YOU MUST BE CLOSE TO THEM IN THEIR DIFFICULTIES AND ENCOURAGE THEM
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on THE DREAM BEGINS WITH A TEACHER WHO BELIEVES IN YOU
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Tag Archives: prisoners
PRISONERS – ABANDONED BY SOCIETY AND THE CHURCH
The common theme running through all the descriptions of the ministry of the Missionaries was this infallible rule: We are never to lose sight of one of the principal ends of our Institute, which is to help the most abandoned … Continue reading
GUARDING AGAINST DESPAIR
In Eugene’s ministry we find him accompanying the dying and staying with them until the moment of death. He wanted to assure that the person have a peaceful death and not give in to temptations to despair and to turn … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: INVITING PRISONERS TO CONVERSION
With a predilection for those whom the structures of the Church were not touching, the missionaries reached out to various groups who needed a special focus or a particular message. A group of persons who fitted the category of “most … Continue reading
AN ILLNESS THAT BROUGHT ME TO DEATH’S DOOR
In January 1814, Napoleon’s armies were in retreat as the powers against him invaded France. He sent two thousand Austrian prisoners of war to Aix. Typhus broke out, and doctors and the chaplain died of it. Eugene became aware of … Continue reading
PRISONERS: GOD’S COMMANDMENT MUST TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ANY HUMAN CONSIDERATION
Father Courtès had not given Communion to a prisoner condemned to death, and he received the anger and condemnation of Eugene for having been a weakling in the face of a pastoral need. You have made a very great mistake … Continue reading
I GAVE HIM COMMUNION DURING THE MASS I CELEBRATED IN THE SMALL PRISON CHAPEL
In 1837 Bishop de Mazenod was in Gap and describes his ministry to a prisoner condemned to death. My liturgical function on Sunday was wonderful. I did not only administer Confirmation to the poor condemned man, but to sanction by … Continue reading
PRISON MINISTRY: ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ENDS OF OUR INSTITUTE IS TO HELP THE MOST NEGLECTED SOULS
Eugene’s own experience as a young priest was assumed into the practice of the missionary Congregation he founded. The Rule that he wrote for its members could almost be seen as an autobiographical description of his own ministry. He writes: … Continue reading
THE MOST ABANDONED: A MIRACLE OF GRACE IN A PRISONER CONDEMNED TO DEATH
In a letter of September 1813, Eugene’s spiritual director, Father Duclaux, encouraged him in his prison ministry by urging him to continue as he was doing because his approach would lead many to conversion, sorrow for their sins and repentance. … Continue reading
Tagged conversion, prisoners
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THE MOST ABANDONED: INSTRUCTING, COMFORTING AND ENCOURAGING PRISONERS
The young Father Eugene was a fireball of energy during his first years of ministry. Apart from preaching to the people who spoke mostly Provencal, he gave importance to his ministry with the prisoners in Aix. Writing to his friend … Continue reading
MY WHOLE AMBITION WAS TO CONSECRATE MYSELF TO THE SERVICE OF THE POOR AND OF THE YOUTH
Eugene continues his 1839 reflections on his vocation. Having spoken about the motto and coat of arms he had sketched at the seminary, with the Cross and crown of thorns above the overturned insignia of power and status, he proceeds: … Continue reading