Author Archives: franksantucci

Father Dassy had written a book and had consulted Eugene about whether to use the Oblate crest in the printed version. The response gives an idea of the fluidity of our name. It always had “Oblate” and “Mary Immaculate” in … Continue reading →

Eighteen years earlier, in 1825, Eugene had gone to Rome to try to obtain official recognition and approbation of the Oblate  Congregation. It was at the time when the Vatican was not approving any new religious congregations. Eugene now recalled … Continue reading →

For a long time the system of minor seminaries was customary in the Church: schools run by a diocese or religious congregation for youngsters considering a priestly or religious vocation. The Oblates had just started their first one at the … Continue reading →

This extract from Eugene’s Diary gives an insight into his care for the members of his Oblate family, and for his concern for those who misbehaved. Father Reinaud had become an Oblate in 1830 and for the following 13 years … Continue reading →

The Missionary Oblates were founded to evangelize among the most abandoned – usually in rural areas. This is how they began in Canada. Eugene realized, however, that it would be essential to have a community as a base in the … Continue reading →

Eugene’s advice to the Oblates in Canada to focus on doing what is right rather than trying to please the opinion of others. Furthermore I would wish that all of you, each as much as the others, focus yourselves more … Continue reading →

Continuing from the previous entry, we find Eugene correcting Father Honorat for having shared on the weakness of some of his community members with the diocesan bishop. It is the duty of the superior to uphold the worth of his … Continue reading →

Father Honorat, the superior of the Missionaries in Canada, had confided the difficulties within his community to the Bishop of Montreal. Eugene found out about it and was not happy. I fear that in your intimate interviews with the Bishop, … Continue reading →

The scholastics were always referred to as “the Oblates” since 1816, even before the whole Congregation received this name ten years later. In their studies and formation for the priesthood they had been moved around to various places in the … Continue reading →