Author Archives: franksantucci

Bishop de Mazenod’s care for the poor of his diocese knew no limits and he relentlessly established groups to respond to the many spiritual and material needs of every category of people. Here is one example from his Diary. It’s … Continue reading →

In this beautiful reflection in his private journal, Eugene describes how he was caught up in the wonder of the presence of Jesus during his time of prayer before the Eucharist.  He writes about his desire to be united with … Continue reading →

Eugene’s strong sense of fatherhood regarding his Oblate family is evident in this letter to the Bishop of Montreal. With the Atlantic Ocean separating him from his Oblates, he is happy that Bishop Bourget regards them as his family too. … Continue reading →

 You certainly need to be enterprising if you are called to the conquest of souls. I was furious at finding myself 2000 leagues [ed. about 6000 miles] from you and unable to make my voice reach you in less than … Continue reading →

A month after his previous letter accepting a new Oblate mission in Bytown (Ottawa), Eugene’s enthusiasm continued to be expressed. If ever anything compelled belief, it was what you proved so convincingly and what the Bishop of Montreal properly represented … Continue reading →

Having come into existence with the particular charism of evangelizing the most-abandoned, the Oblates in Canada soon identified two groups in need of evangelization: those working in the isolated lumber camps and the tribes of indigenous people. They were accessible … Continue reading →

Eugene always had a strong sense of being the spiritual father of each Oblate in the Congregation God had founded through him. In this letter he expresses this feeling as he write to Brother Chauvet, a scholastic who was preparing … Continue reading →

Christmas in the Cathedral of Marseilles filled Bishop Eugene with awe and gratitude at God’s closeness to him. He confided in his personal journal. Christmas eve occurring on a Sunday, I officiated pontifically at first Vespers. Several hours later, I … Continue reading →

Continuing to read Eugene’s letter to the Novice Master and to the novices, we come across news from Canada of several diocesan priests coming to join the Oblate Congregation. Very soon the missionaries would be in a position to begin … Continue reading →

Until the time of his death, one of Eugene’s greatest joys was to receive letters from the Oblates in the foreign missions. He would immediately have them read in the houses of formation so as to whet the appetite of … Continue reading →