Category Archives: WRITINGS

Fr. Jolivet was ordained priest on the Sunday preceding Ascension and said his first mass on Ascension Day, the delay no doubt being on account of not knowing how to say it well. He will set out shortly for England … Continue reading →

Not everyone who came to join the Oblates had a missionary zeal to go to the foreign missions. Eugene quotes one: Here is a masterpiece from Palle, quite a model of holy indifference! “Oh, my Father, let me tell you … Continue reading →

Eugene was careful in the choice of Oblates that he judged capable of being good missionaries in the trying conditions of evangelization in North America, Africa and Asia. Some of the men struggled initially but eventually settled down as good … Continue reading →

Having sent his Oblate missionaries so far away, Eugene longed to hear from them and their missionary successes among the most abandoned. You do not give me enough details on your way of life, where you live, and your ministry. … Continue reading →

In sending more missionaries to Ceylon, Eugene wrote to the superior of that mission. I have no doubt that you will be very happy with the Fathers whom I am sending you… As for Fr. Mouchel, I do not think … Continue reading →

Eugene always marvelled at the inventions of his time. A few years earlier the telegraph had been invented by Morse and others, and Eugene marvelled at its speed of communication: Would to God that we had so swift a means … Continue reading →

The beginnings of the Oblate mission in Ceylon, in the area of Jaffna, were not as smooth as Eugene had hoped. There were many factions in the church as we will see in the future. More urgent was the sending … Continue reading →

Together with Mary and St Eugene we stand in wonder and awe at the birth of our Savior. A Blessed Christmas to each of you and your loved ones. The daily reflections will begin again with the arrival of the … Continue reading →

“They will always regard her as mother” Eugene had written when we officially became Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate after our papal approbation in 1826. He asked us to have a “tender and filial devotion.” Throughout his whole life he … Continue reading →

Writing from Rome, where he was to participate in the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Eugene wrote to the Oblates in Marseilles. On the feast day itself, we must expose the Blessed Sacrament at eleven o’clock of … Continue reading →