Author Archives: franksantucci

The end of my 67th year. I am entering my 68th. Thus the years add up without one being aware of it. We go forward to the tomb year by year. Nevertheless, it is possible to measure the distance travelled … Continue reading →

Today, the anniversary of the death of our good Father Mie, I learn of that of Fr. Frederic Michel. He was one of our best men, filled with virtues, but virtues quite uncommon, talented and learned to the full, a … Continue reading →

Young fathers Charles Gondrand and Charles Baret were in the Oblate community in Limoges and had written a much-appreciated letter to Eugene. Inundated with work, he had delayed in responding. If, through the instigation of the spirit, my dear sons … Continue reading →

The father of the Oblate family’s concern for his children: Daylight is fading and so is time to prolong this good conversation with you. I hasten to embrace you and bless you, as well as the whole family confided to … Continue reading →

From the beginning of our existence, the aim of Oblate preaching was to catechize: to teach people who the Savior is and to educate them in the contents of our faith. Fr Hippolyte Courtès had started a course of teaching … Continue reading →

Newly-ordained Fr Francois-Xavier Michelier had been sent to Nancy to have been trained as a preacher and to be community treasurer. The superior, Louis Dassy, had complained to Eugene: ” does not seem the least bit decided to write out … Continue reading →

We now leave the foreign missions to focus on what was happening in France in 1849. In France it is customary for people to send each other good wishes for the new year. Eugene responds to Fr Dassy: I thank … Continue reading →

The Oblate mission in Oregon was difficult and challenging. To complicate matters, the local Bishop was not very encouraging nor understanding of the Oblate way of mission. For this reason, Eugene wrote to the Vatican with this request: Please bear … Continue reading →

I have spent eleven consecutive hours at my desk writing to all our Fathers in Oregon and drawing up instructions both for them and for Fr. d’Herbomez who, together with two Brothers, is going to join them by way of … Continue reading →

If you could read the letters I receive from Oregon, you would have shed tears with me over the sufferings and the privations that our dear Fathers are enduring in that mission. Their hands are calloused by the work they … Continue reading →