Category Archives: WRITINGS

MY CHILDREN HAVE CROSSED THE SEAS TO WORK WITH ALL THE ZEAL OF WHICH THEY ARE CAPABLE

At the end of the General Chapter, the Founder gave Father Telmon a letter to deliver to the Bishop of Quebec, the diocese adjoining the one where the Oblates were already ministering. More than ever, Bishop, I am conscious of … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

I MUST THANK GOD FOR THE HEALTH THAT HE MAINTAINS IN ME AND ASK HIS PARDON FOR THE BAD USE OF 61 YEARS OF LIFE.

Eugene never gave importance to celebrating his birthday. Patience! Still another year. I must thank God for the health that he maintains in me and ask his pardon for the bad use of 61 years of life. Rather, he put … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

I HOPE THAT YOU WILL DO MUCH, BECAUSE YOU SINCERELY LOVE THE GOOD GOD AND THE CHURCH

In the previous entry we reflected on the letter that Eugene had rediscovered from his former spiritual director at the seminary, and the encouragement it gave him to be God’s instrument in the Church. He continued to quote the letter: … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

THE GOOD GOD WAITS ONLY FOR OUR CONVERSION IN ORDER TO SHOWER US WITH HIS GRACE

Rummaging through his old papers, Eugene came across a letter from Father Duclaux, his former spiritual director in the seminary in Paris. It had been written nearly 30 years earlier, in 1815, when Eugene was discerning whether God was calling … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

I IMPLORE YOU TO EASE MY WAY AND DON’T BE ONE OF THOSE WHO CAN ONLY CLOUD UP THE SKY; THERE ARE ALREADY TOO MANY IN THE ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH I LIVE

As Superior General, Eugene had a global vision of the communitarian and ministerial needs of the Oblates. It was not always easy to convince some of them of their need to focus beyond their immediate ministry and sacrifices themselves for … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE GOOD SPIRIT THAT ANIMATES ALL OF THEM

At the end of the General Chapter, Eugene met individually with each delegate. Each encounter became an experience of joyful gratitude for the gift of their missionary vocation and zeal. I left the seminary only last evening in order to … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

A BISHOP WHO WANTED TO LIVE AND DIE AS AN OBLATE

The first Oblate to be appointed bishop after Eugene was Hippolyte Guibert, who was present at the General Chapter. He was bishop of the diocese of Viviers. Eugene wrote about him: The bishop of Viviers has edified everyone by the … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

THE SATISFACTION, IN SEEING GATHERED TOGETHER MEN OF SUCH A GREAT AND GENUINE MERIT, WHO HAVE DONE EVERYTHING FOR THE CHURCH AND WHO ARE EAGER TO DO STILL MORE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE SALVATION OF SOULS.

Eugene was ecstatic about the experience of the gathering of Oblates at the General Chapter. In his diary he wrote: I will describe nothing about all that has happened in this memorable chapter. The register in which these acts are … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

THESE ARE THE WONDERS OF PROVIDENCE UPON US AND AN EVER MORE PRESSING REASON TO THANK THE LORD WHO HAS GIVEN US SUCH A VOCATION AND TO ACCOMPLISH EVEN MORE FAITHFULLY THE APOSTOLIC VIRTUES THAT THIS VOCATION DEMANDS OF US

With these words, Eugene as Superior General, pointed to the situation of the Congregation: “These are the wonders of Providence upon us and an ever more pressing reason to thank the Lord who has given us such a vocation and … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment

OUR SEVENTH GENERAL CHAPTER

Every six years the Missionary Oblates gather for an important meeting, called a General Chapter. Here, representatives from each province come together to review the state of the Congregation and to evaluate its responses to the needs of the world … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | 1 Comment