Category Archives: WRITINGS

“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” (Rollo May) Eugene always regarded himself as being the father of his missionary family – and loved each of its members. He understood well that communication was the … Continue reading →

“People listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if they do listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Pope St Paul VI Living in community is the first observable difference between the vocation of a diocesan … Continue reading →

“Missionary work has never been easy, and yet the joyful rewards cannot be equaled by any other experience.” (Gordon B. Hinckley) The Missionary Society for the Propagation of the Faith relied on benefactors and annual collections in the parishes to … Continue reading →

“True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense.” (Emanuel Swedenborg) As generous and zealous as the Oblates were, this was not sufficient for the success of their overseas evangelization. They needed money with … Continue reading →

“To me, there are saints every day. They stand up and help others and live for others and do things for others.” (Theodore Melfi) Father Dominique Albini had experienced the vocation to become an Oblate in 1823 after hearing the … Continue reading →

“If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.” (Lance Armstrong) As Superior General, Eugene’s responsibility was to accompany his missionaries in their ‘being” and their “doing.” He cared deeply for his missionary sons and for their … Continue reading →

The “Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us” blog began in May 2010 and with it came a free service offered by Google to subscribe to an email version of the daily reflections. Several hundred people did this. Many have been … Continue reading →

“For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2,15) A wealthy Englishman, Ambrose Phillips owned the mansion of Grace Dieu, in Leicester county, England. He … Continue reading →

“Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction, compared to the tongue of a gossip.”  (Richard Steele) Eugene writes to Father Courtès, who had been badly affected by some gossip, to implore him not to be disturbed by it. A … Continue reading →

Do I believe that when a door closes, God opens a window? In 1841 when the Oblates discerned that God was calling them to establish a missionary community in Canada, it seemed like an impossible undertaking for a Congregation of … Continue reading →