Author Archives: franksantucci

“As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). It was the pattern of Mary’s warm relationship with Jesus and her contemplation of his “virtues and example” that would be the model for the … Continue reading →

In the cold winter months, when pilgrims no longer came to the shrine of Notre Dame du Laus, then the Missionaries would go out to the surrounding villages to preach the Gospel in prolonged parish missions. From there, after having … Continue reading →

After visiting the first community to be established outside of Aix, the Marian shrine of Notre Dame du Laus, Eugene wrote this description of the place and of the evangelization that the Missionaries would undertake from there: We have formed … Continue reading →

For a population used to hard physical work, it was essential that the mission provide more than only  sermons to listen to – the people had to be involved with their senses and their actions. One of the ways of … Continue reading →

The last step before his ordination to the priesthood was ordination as a deacon. In his time of prayer before receiving diaconate, mindful of his unworthiness, he invited Mary to accompany him and intercede for him. As far as possible, … Continue reading →

On 23 December 1809 Eugene made a definitive commitment towards the priesthood by being being ordained to the sub-diaconate. In a conference on that day he linked the commitment to give himself totally to the service of the People of … Continue reading →

After a year as seminarian in St Sulpice in Paris, Eugene reflects in his journal on the place of Mary in his spirituality: But devotion to the Blessed Virgin must excel all others; for the glorious Mother of God is … Continue reading →

After his conversion journey and discernment that God was calling him to become a priest, the 26 year-old Eugene went to the Seminary of Saint Sulpice in Paris. On the first page of his study notes at the seminary, he … Continue reading →

Within days of arriving at the seminary to begin his studies for the priesthood, Eugene wrote to his grandmother: Up to now I can only speak of the life we are leading during the retreat, which is now unfortunately coming … Continue reading →

On Eugene’s spiritual formation, Lubowicki writes: Jean-Jacques Olier, the founder of the seminary, developed a spirituality in which he stressed the fact that the priest is an alter Christus [ed. “another Christ”), and therefore someone who follows Christ in everything, … Continue reading →