Author Archives: franksantucci

Only six years after having sent Oblate missionaries to countries outside of France, Eugene de Mazenod was constantly delighted when he received news of their successes. I am receiving letters from England which fill me with consolation. Daily our Fathers … Continue reading →

A month after Pierre Fisette had left the Oblates and had gone to the Carthusian monastery, Eugene wrote to his former provincial in Canada: The day before yesterday I received a letter from the Prior informing me that he is … Continue reading →

The young Canadian Oblate, Father Pierre Fisette, did not settle into his ministry in Corsica because he discerned a vocation to the contemplative life. Eugene wrote in his diary: A day of deep heartache. Father Fisette came to spend the … Continue reading →

Canadian-born Oblate Father, Pierre Fisette, had ministered for two years, but had made mistakes and was sorry for them. Eugene summoned this 26-year-old to leave Canada and come to France in 1846, saying: “I am quite disposed to welcome the … Continue reading →

Eugene wrote to one of the Oblates about the reaction of the mother of the 23 year old Jean Chares Pandosy to her son being sent to Canada from France. They have all set off with joy in their souls … Continue reading →

Eugene proudly noted in his personal journal the departure of the first Oblate missionaries to the USA: Fr. Pascal Ricard (41 years of age) and Brother G. Blanchet, 28 years of age, and scholastics Eugène Casimir Chirouse, 26 years of … Continue reading →

Kusenberger Chair of Oblate Studies 2023 Public Lecture Wednesday February 15  7:00PM – 8:30PM Central US Time at Oblate School of Theology IN-PERSON AND ONLINE OPTIONS AVAILABLE The charism embodied and expressed by a founder or founding community has often … Continue reading →

Our Founder always considered himself the father of his religious family. In the closing words of the official missioning of the Oblates to Oregon, we see his fatherly concern: Go forth, beloved sons, you and your companions chosen by us, … Continue reading →

Father Ricard was chosen to be the leader of the first Oblate mission in the USA because he had all the necessary qualities and shared Eugene’s missionary vision and spirituality. To found the mission of Oregon, a mission so remote … Continue reading →

Father Ricard had suffered from poor health in France, and those who knew him were surprised at the choice of this man for a physically challenging mission. Eugene, however, could not think of a better person to send to found … Continue reading →