Category Archives: WRITINGS

I AM ASTONISHED AT WHAT HE PERMITS HIMSELF TO DO WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE

The missionaries were human and, as zealous as they may have been sometimes their human foibles got in the way of their ministry. Father Daly, the founder of the Oblate mission in England had a very poor sense of judgement … Continue reading

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ONE MORE OF THE CHOSEN OF OUR FAMILY IS IN HEAVEN

Father Frederic Perron was 35 when he died of typhus, and had spent three years in England. He had worked in Penzance and then as superior of Grace Dieu in Leicestershire, and then was appointed superior of the community in … Continue reading

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A VOID WHICH MUST BE FILLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Zeal to respond to the cry of the poor and most abandoned by preaching the Gospel needed Missionaries. In England, the sudden death of the 35 year-old Fr Perron led to a gap that had to be filled urgently. Alas! … Continue reading

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ALL THAT I FEAR IS THAT THE LORD HAS FOUND HIM RIPENED FOR HEAVEN

Fr. Jean-Pierre Bernard, 26 years old, had been ordained in 1847 and left for Canada. Within months of his arrival he succumbed to an epidemic of typhus. Eugene received the news and wrote in his diary: Our very good, very … Continue reading

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HERE ARE TWO OF US, TWO ABLE BODIED VOLUNTEERS, VERY WILLING, ON FIRE TO SACRIFICE OURSELVES TO THE POINT OF MARTYRDOM

Hubenig concludes his narrative of the 1830 Revolution and riots: With the quelling of the workers riots, the press was muzzled and liberties were curtailed. As a result, there was no national outcry when 11,000 workers were transported to Algeria, … Continue reading

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THE GREAT UPHEAVAL WHICH HAS RUINED ALL THE INDUSTRIES, RESTRICTED ALL SOURCES OF CAPITAL

The 1848 Revolution had not only had political consequences, but had affected the Missionary Oblates. Eugene wrote to Fr. Faraud in Canada: You will have learned that an unexpected revolution has saddled us with a republic which up to now … Continue reading

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THEY OFFERED THEIR MINISTRY TO THE WOUNDED OF WHOM MOST UNFORTUNATELY HAVE DIED

The good Lord has preserved us in the midst of a real danger, and many of our Fathers have nobly accomplished the duty of charity that circumstances imposed on them: they offered their ministry to the wounded of whom most … Continue reading

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FRENCH BLOOD WHICH RAN IN THE STREETS OF OUR CITY HAS COVERED IT WITH A FUNERAL VEIL

On June 22, the Feast of Corpus Christi, Eugene wrote: During the service, someone came to bring me several very alarming warnings. The rebellious workers had constructed barricades, the main army and the national guard were under arms, etc. I … Continue reading

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A REVOLUTION IS ALWAYS A SORROWFUL THING

A revolution is always a sorrowful thing. We accept all things from the hand of God. He will give us the strength to support the trials which are in store for us. Double your prayers for us that we who … Continue reading

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I WENT UP TO THE SANCTUARY OF NOTRE DAME DE LA GARDE TO SAY A MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR OUR SAFETY

The violence of the day before having been suppressed, Bishop Eugene led a thanksgiving service. The city and its inhabitants were under the protection of “la Bonne Mère” (the Good Mother) whose sanctuary was on the highest hill of Marseilles. … Continue reading

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