Category Archives: WRITINGS

Eugene de Mazenod was a busy person! Superior General of many Oblates in France and elsewhere, Bishop of a large and demanding diocese, and also the power behind the Oblates breaking new ground in the foreign missions. Going through his … Continue reading →

Celebrating the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and rejoicing in his presence, Eugene sends Christmas greetings: This is all I can say to you on this holy day spent entirely in church. I officiated yesterday at First Vespers, then during the … Continue reading →

Election day for the President of the Republic. I went to vote. The entire staff stood up to receive my vote. This act of respect for the character with which I am invested edified me. Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 10 … Continue reading →

In 1816, at the beginning of our Congregation, all the members were diocesan priests because its aim was mission preaching and dispensing the sacraments. In 1818 when we became a religious congregation, the situation changed and the Oblate vocation was … Continue reading →

Bishop Eugene regarded himself as much a father of his diocesan clergy as he did of the Oblates. This was especially the case if he been the bishop who ordained them to the priesthood. In his Diary he notes his … Continue reading →

Eugene had always been a promotor of youth ministry and this continued when he was Bishop of Marseille. He noted in his diary an event concerning three of his diocesan priests who consecrated themselves to youth ministry in his diocese. … Continue reading →

The OMI’s usually renewed their vows on November 1 during the Founder’s lifetime. Because there were 30 Oblate seminarians at the Major Seminary (studying and living with the diocesan students) the ceremony was held at the Seminary. Customary attendance at … Continue reading →

With the tense situation around the welfare of Pope Pius IX, in exile in Gaeta, France sent an emissary of the government to invite him to take refuge in Marseilles. Eugene narrated: In short, the Pope was infinitely touched by … Continue reading →

In November 1848 the situation deteriorated and the Pope had been forced to leave Rome. Eugene and the people of Marseilles renewed their invitation to him to take shelter in their city and many were convinced of his imminent arrival. … Continue reading →

The aftermath of the 1848 Revolution had dramatic consequences for Pope Pius IX who was threatened by violent upheavals. Eugene wrote to him: If I could only ease for an instant the burden of the Church’s sorrows which press so … Continue reading →