Author Archives: franksantucci

I see by your letters that in Canada all trace of the first notions of the religious state has been lost…. It is time to call a halt for the disorder has gone too far. Such are the sorrows which … Continue reading →

Eugene returned to the same theme of young Oblates being sent to missions and not being sufficiently prepared in Western Canada. They were doing primary evangelization with people who had not heard the Christian Gospel before, and mistakenly thought that … Continue reading →

As the Canadian missions were increasing, so was the demand for Oblate missionaries. Eugene had agreed to send scholastics to Canada to fulfil this need, but on condition that they finish their studies in Canada. The demands of the missions … Continue reading →

The arrival and work of the Oblates was not met with joy by some of the Canadian clergy. It had been the same in France when Eugene had founded the Oblates. Writing to Bishop Bourget of Montreal, Eugene quoted some … Continue reading →

In February 1849, Pope Pius IX had consulted all the bishops of the world asking their opinion on possibly proclaiming the dogma of the Immaculate Conception What do you have to say about the beautiful decision to be taken concerning … Continue reading →

Oh no! my dear friend, you could not make your letters long enough nor enter into too many details on the subject of your painfully difficult mission. You cannot imagine the anxiety which I feel about you all. Not to … Continue reading →

Give me plenty of details about your missions, the places and the persons. I do not know your situation at Saint Boniface. Take time to trace the history of this mission in the moments that you are free. Letter to … Continue reading →

The Founder longed to receive letters from the Oblates around the world narrating their missionary experiences. Yet what a lot of things you could tell me about the neighbourhood of St. Pierre and the ministry which you exercise amongst these … Continue reading →

The Oblates in Canada lived far away from the Founder, in Marseilles. The Canadian Oblate superior was Bishop Guigues who was very occupied in the process of establishing a new diocese. The missionaries were scattered in many distant places with … Continue reading →

Father Leonard Bavette, had conducted a successful visit in France to promote Oblate vocations (see: https://www.eugenedemazenod.net/?p=5497 and related entries) and Eugene knew him well. In his return to Canada he had been appointed to establish the first Oblate community in … Continue reading →