Author Archives: franksantucci

It is quite a long time since anyone in Canada has sent me an account of the personnel. It has reached the point where I could forget their names were the memory of each of my children not engraved in … Continue reading →

Father Viala’s health could not withstand the difficult relationship he had with the Bishop of Algiers and he was recalled to France. In November two more Oblates were sent to Algeria. Despite the difficulties, the evangelization of the Arabs always … Continue reading →

The Bishop of Algiers, who gave the Oblates no encouragement, had accompanied Fr. Jean Baptiste Bellanger to one of the places of mission. I am delighted that you accompanied Bishop Pavy to Philippeville; by seeing you at close quarters he … Continue reading →

Poor Father Viala had become totally discouraged by the hostile and negative situation in Algeria and had wanted the mission to be abandoned. Viala has been ill over this. If I had listened to him, he would have returned with … Continue reading →

Despite the lack of cooperation and hostility by the Bishop of Algiers, it was the salvation of souls that was paramount in the mind of Eugene, and for this reason he advised the Oblates to remain. Now what must we … Continue reading →

The agreement made with the Bishop of Algiers was that the Oblates would live in community, minister to the abandoned Christian population and evangelize the Arab population. The Bishop, however, had gone against this agreement and did not want the … Continue reading →

The Bishop of Algiers did not understand the particular charismatic mission of the Oblates. Worried about the situation in which the Oblates found themselves, Eugene encouraged them again a few days later. Keep me in touch with everything, calmly and … Continue reading →

Eugene was informed that he had been unjustly criticized by the Bishop of Algiers and this is how he responded: As for the personal offences which you told me of, five minutes of prayer at the foot of my crucifix … Continue reading →

By early March the Oblates had arrived in Algeria. The agreement with the Bishop was that they live in community with the responsibility of caring for the parish in Blida as their base for missionary outreach and to care for … Continue reading →

The Superior of the new mission to Algeria was Fr Viala, and he was busy preaching a successful mission in France just weeks before his departure. Eugene wrote to him: I can understand that you have extended your mission by … Continue reading →