Author Archives: franksantucci

“When Bishop Hippolyte Guibert arrived in the diocese of Viviers in 1842, the Abbé Deschanels, chaplain at the shrine, was asking for help. Furthermore, the Jesuits of the house of Lalouvesc were no longer able to respond to all the … Continue reading →

The Founder, as Superior General, regularly held decision-making Oblate council meetings. The minutes of January 1845 start off with a long statement on the poverty of the Congregation, which had hardly any funds but spent large amounts to feed and … Continue reading →

In France it is customary to exchange greetings at New Year. Eugene wrote to Father Courtès to express his good wishes. So that things won’t happen to me today as they do every day, my dear Courtès, that I don’t … Continue reading →

In the previous entry we saw how Eugene had described the new missions in Canada to the Council of the Propagation of the Faith. His letter continues: I feel, gentlemen, that I have sufficiently illustrated for you the needs of … Continue reading →

In the search for funds to maintain the foreign missions in Canada, Eugene wrote to the Propagation of the Faith describing the latest missionary outreach of the Oblates. I wish to avail myself of this occasion to tell you something … Continue reading →

“From the time of his appointment as Bishop of Marseilles in 1837, he began to talk about the necessity of a new cathedral worthy of a great city. In the course of his trip to Paris in November and December … Continue reading →

Reviewing the situation in Canada with the new Oblate superior, Eugene is torn between all the invitations coming to the Oblates to minister in different dioceses of Canada – so great was the need for priests – and the small … Continue reading →

The writings of Eugene de Mazenod that I present each day reflect the many tasks he was involved in: Superior General of the Oblates in France and Canada, the one responsible for the personnel, mission, and community life of all … Continue reading →

The Oblates had taken responsibility for the ministry of the Marian shrine of Notre Dame de Lumières (Our Lady of the Lights) in 1837. As a shrine it was a center of permanent mission from which the Oblates went to … Continue reading →

The Oblates had been preaching a parish mission in a village of Provence and were experiencing hardships and lack of success. Eugene commented in his diary: Letter from Fr. Courtès. He gives me the worst news about the mission of … Continue reading →