Author Archives: franksantucci

Monday Advent Week 1 “I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11 You will not find anywhere … Continue reading →

“Let us all remember this: one cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life.” (Pope Francis) As Superior General, Eugene was obliged to make decisions regarding the welfare of the Oblates outside of France, but … Continue reading →

“Challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope-filled commitment. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary vigour!” (Pope Francis) Eugene had imagined that Fathers Aubert and … Continue reading →

“Every Christian must be convinced of his fundamental and vital duty of bearing witness to the truth in which he believes and the grace that has transformed him.” (St. Pope John XXIII) In France, Eugene knew all the Oblates and … Continue reading →

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” (Hudson Taylor) The Canadian Oblate, Alexandre Taché, was a 22 year-old scholastic when Eugene sent him to St Boniface.  Writing to Fr Pierre Aubert about him, Eugene said: I … Continue reading →

“There are glances which have a marked influence on one’s whole existence. The look which I laid upon Fathers Honorat and Telmon contributed in no small measure to the whole direction of my life.” (Alexandre Taché OMI) Bishop Joseph Norbert … Continue reading →

“Missionary zeal does not grow out of intellectual beliefs, nor out of theological arguments, but out of love. If I do not love a person I am not moved to help him by proofs that he is in need; if … Continue reading →

“Trust has to be earned, and should come only after the passage of time.” (Arthur Ashe) The Oblate presence in England started suddenly on an insecure foundation with the arrival of the just-ordained and inexperienced Father Daly. It was difficult … Continue reading →

“Good is never accomplished except at the cost of those who do it, truth never breaks through except through the sacrifice of those who spread it.” (St. John Henry Newman) Eugene noted in his diary: July 1st:  Fr. Cooke, an … Continue reading →

“Here below to live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.” (St. John Henry Newman) Eugene’s diary entry refers to a meeting in England between Oblate Father Frédèric Perron and John Henry Newman (1801-1890), the … Continue reading →