Author Archives: franksantucci

In the previous entry we saw how Eugene committed the three young Oblates destined to be missionaries in Canada, Brothers Brunet, Garin and Laverlochère, to Mary’s protection. He wrote about them to Father Guigues, the superior of the community where … Continue reading →

Our Founder, as a result of being an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, had a special love for the Marseilles shrine of Notre Dame de la Garde – Our Lady the Guardian of the city and of those who travel by … Continue reading →

 In the letter to the Bishop of Quebec, which we saw in the previous entry, Eugene has one sentence which it is important to focus on: They are essentially men of the bishops. It is with this in view that … Continue reading →

At the end of the General Chapter, the Founder gave Father Telmon a letter to deliver to the Bishop of Quebec, the diocese adjoining the one where the Oblates were already ministering. More than ever, Bishop, I am conscious of … Continue reading →

Eugene never gave importance to celebrating his birthday. Patience! Still another year. I must thank God for the health that he maintains in me and ask his pardon for the bad use of 61 years of life. Rather, he put … Continue reading →

In the previous entry we reflected on the letter that Eugene had rediscovered from his former spiritual director at the seminary, and the encouragement it gave him to be God’s instrument in the Church. He continued to quote the letter: … Continue reading →

Rummaging through his old papers, Eugene came across a letter from Father Duclaux, his former spiritual director in the seminary in Paris. It had been written nearly 30 years earlier, in 1815, when Eugene was discerning whether God was calling … Continue reading →

As Superior General, Eugene had a global vision of the communitarian and ministerial needs of the Oblates. It was not always easy to convince some of them of their need to focus beyond their immediate ministry and sacrifices themselves for … Continue reading →

At the end of the General Chapter, Eugene met individually with each delegate. Each encounter became an experience of joyful gratitude for the gift of their missionary vocation and zeal. I left the seminary only last evening in order to … Continue reading →

The first Oblate to be appointed bishop after Eugene was Hippolyte Guibert, who was present at the General Chapter. He was bishop of the diocese of Viviers. Eugene wrote about him: The bishop of Viviers has edified everyone by the … Continue reading →