Author Archives: franksantucci

Father Tempier, Eugene’s right-hand man, had been sent to Nancy to finalize all the necessary arrangements for the new Oblate establishment. Eugene wrote to the Vicar General of Nancy assuring him of his support for all the decisions made. You … Continue reading →

By the end of July 1847 Father Tempier had already travelled to Nancy to make all the necessary arrangnemnts for the Oblate establishment. He had forgotten to take the letter of recommendation that Eugene had written for him My dear … Continue reading →

Once the decision to send Oblate missionaries to Nancy had been made, Eugene wrote to his friend, Alexis Menjaud, who was the Bishop of Nancy. I would be happy if you could become a second father to my sons … … Continue reading →

Thirty years after the foundation of the Congregation, the missionaries were in Corsica, the British Isles and North America and in the south of France. We have seen, in previous entries, the success of the recruiting tour of Fr Leonard … Continue reading →

Eugene had very high expectations and standards for those preparing for ministry in the scholasticates (here referred to as “Oblates” as opposed to Missionary Oblates being those who had completed formation) As I have said to some of your other … Continue reading →

Eugene’s strong sense of fatherhood of his missionary family received a new expression once he was ordained bishop in 1832: he could now be the one who ordained his sons to the priesthood. It was an awe-inspiring gift for him, … Continue reading →

Father Hippolyte Courtès had been a member of Eugene’s youth group and was one of the first novices to join the Missionaries in 1817. He was afflicted by poor health and became depressed at times, but was an example of … Continue reading →

Marseilles, as an important port city, was the home to several military establishments. Bishop Eugene had just confirmed 30 soldiers and First Communion to six of them. His joy and pastoral satisfaction in expressed in his diary entry. April 22: … Continue reading →

Bishop Eugene’s publication for the people of his diocese of Pope Pius IX’s letter to the universal Church asking for help for the famine in Ireland, concluded with a call to support the Pope in his suffering for the Church. … Continue reading →

Bishop Eugene finished presenting the people of his diocese with Pope Pius IX’s letter to the universal Church asking for help for the famine in Ireland. It gives an interesting glimpse into Eugene’s understanding of the Pope. He begins by … Continue reading →