Category Archives: WRITINGS

I HAVE INCURRED THESE INSULTS BY HAVING WISHED TO SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST

The agreement made with the Bishop of Algiers was that the Oblates would live in community, minister to the abandoned Christian population and evangelize the Arab population. The Bishop, however, had gone against this agreement and did not want the … Continue reading

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YOUR MINISTRY IS TO PREACH, TO INSTRUCT AND TO CONFESS

The Bishop of Algiers did not understand the particular charismatic mission of the Oblates. Worried about the situation in which the Oblates found themselves, Eugene encouraged them again a few days later. Keep me in touch with everything, calmly and … Continue reading

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FIVE MINUTES OF PRAYER AT THE FOOT OF MY CRUCIFIX

Eugene was informed that he had been unjustly criticized by the Bishop of Algiers and this is how he responded: As for the personal offences which you told me of, five minutes of prayer at the foot of my crucifix … Continue reading

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LET US ALWAYS HAVE ONLY GOD IN OUR SIGHT

By early March the Oblates had arrived in Algeria. The agreement with the Bishop was that they live in community with the responsibility of caring for the parish in Blida as their base for missionary outreach and to care for … Continue reading

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THE AFRICANS ARE WAITING FOR YOU

The Superior of the new mission to Algeria was Fr Viala, and he was busy preaching a successful mission in France just weeks before his departure. Eugene wrote to him: I can understand that you have extended your mission by … Continue reading

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THEY SHOULD WORK FOR THE SALVATION OF THE MOST ABANDONED SOULS

In 1848 Eugene made an agreement with Bishop Pavy of Algiers to establish a community Oblates in Algeria. Father Tempier had gone to Algiers to meet the bishop and to negotiate the terms of the Oblate mission with him. Eugene … Continue reading

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INSIST ON MAKING JESUS CHRIST KNOWN AND LOVED

Eugene’s instruction to every missionary: Insist on making Jesus Christ known and loved. Speak often of this divine saviour and of all he has done to save mankind. Make them resolve never to spend a day without praying. Letter to … Continue reading

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IF ONE SIMPLY GOES THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF CONFESSION WITHOUT BEING PENETRATED BY THE FEELINGS OF CONTRITION, ONE HAS DONE NOTHING

Father Jean Viala had been part of the community preaching a parish mission in Greasque, France. Eugene was overjoyed by the news he was receiving of its success. One of the tangible signs of the success of any mission was … Continue reading

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PATIENCE IN EVERYTHING IS NECESSARY

Realizing that the Bishop had misinformed them about the true situation, Fr. Telmon and his companions lost heart. Eugene consoled them with the bigger picture: In founding the house of Pittsburgh in the United States, you are laying the foundations … Continue reading

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PITTSBURGH: LACK OF TRANSPARENCY

“Fathers Adrien Telmon, Augustin Gaudet and the scholastic Eugène Cauvin were appointed to staff the major seminary and they left on September 15, taking over the seminary on October 3. They found that there were only six students, lodged in … Continue reading

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