Author Archives: franksantucci

“When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” (St Teresa of Calcutta) Bishop Eugene expresses his personal Eucharistic devotion … Continue reading →

“Good friends find pleasure in one another’s company. Let us know pleasure in the company of our best Friend, a Friend who can do everything for us, a friend who loves us beyond measure. Here in the Blessed Sacrament we … Continue reading →

What is Oraison? “In the prolonged silent prayer we make each day, we let ourselves be molded by the Lord, and find in him the inspiration of our conduct” (OMI Rule of Life, 33). The practice of Oraison was an … Continue reading →

“Praying for them each day during my oraison before the Blessed Sacrament. I give them all a kind of rendezvous in the adorable Heart of our divine Saviour.” (Eugene de Mazenod 1856) One of the joys of Eugene’s life as … Continue reading →

“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” (Rollo May) Eugene always regarded himself as being the father of his missionary family – and loved each of its members. He understood well that communication was the … Continue reading →

“People listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if they do listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Pope St Paul VI Living in community is the first observable difference between the vocation of a diocesan … Continue reading →

“Missionary work has never been easy, and yet the joyful rewards cannot be equaled by any other experience.” (Gordon B. Hinckley) The Missionary Society for the Propagation of the Faith relied on benefactors and annual collections in the parishes to … Continue reading →

“True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense.” (Emanuel Swedenborg) As generous and zealous as the Oblates were, this was not sufficient for the success of their overseas evangelization. They needed money with … Continue reading →

“To me, there are saints every day. They stand up and help others and live for others and do things for others.” (Theodore Melfi) Father Dominique Albini had experienced the vocation to become an Oblate in 1823 after hearing the … Continue reading →

“If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.” (Lance Armstrong) As Superior General, Eugene’s responsibility was to accompany his missionaries in their ‘being” and their “doing.” He cared deeply for his missionary sons and for their … Continue reading →