Author Archives: franksantucci

One of Eugene’s guiding principles when he founded the Missionaries was to bring the most abandoned to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. In order to achieve this goal it was necessary that the minsiters of the Gsopel be holy … Continue reading →

We do not know the background to this admonition regarding the scholastics in Marseilles, but Eugene writes to one of the formators, Father Bellon, that the situation must be remedied because future Oblate priests are primarily religious and need to … Continue reading →

The scholastics (whom Eugene always referred to as “the Oblates”) were studying at the Marseilles Major Seminary, together with the diocesan seminarians. Father Tempier had been the Superior and Formation Director since 1827. At the same time he was also … Continue reading →

Eugene was always conscious that the Missionary Oblates were not his creation, but a gift of the Holy Spirit. For this reason he insisted on the importance of understanding and living by its spirit. Father Temper was due to go … Continue reading →

Bishop Bourget had warmly welcomed the Oblates to his diocese three years earlier. We have seen, while reflecting on the earlier correspondence, that internal difficulties had arisen between the Oblates themselves. Despite this, their pastoral zeal had produced abundant fruit … Continue reading →

So, Monseigneur, if I am to tell you my whole mind with the frankness that is well suited to a bishop, I think you were well inspired to settle the Oblates in your diocese in order to confide to them … Continue reading →

In Canada the Oblates had arrived to begin their mission in Bytown (Ottawa today) and their bishop had written about this to Eugene. He was the second Canadian bishop to have welcomed the Oblates. The letter that you have done … Continue reading →

Attendance at Vespers and at the sermon at the work of la Jeunesse [the Youth]. I gave the blessing. Eugene then writes details of a very difficult situation that he had to handle in this institution, and concludes This is … Continue reading →

When asked “Is there such a thing as a Mazenodian spirituality?” the answer is YES! The Holy Spirit gave us a charism, through St Eugene, and the Holy Spirit gives us the means to apply this charism in our daily … Continue reading →

The novitiate year is the most important moment to concentrate on the formation of the specifically Oblate character of our life, charism and spirituality. This is done through the lived example of the Oblates, the courses taught and the accompaniment … Continue reading →