Category Archives: WRITINGS

Father Honorat, superior of the first group of missionaries to Canada, was inclined to make decisions without consultation. Here Eugene gives him advice which is applicable to all of us in every walk of life. This is not all. I … Continue reading →

Eugene de Mazenod was a man of immediate action, and it frustrated him that communications with Canada took so long as the only means of doing so was by letters which travelled by slow sailing ships. As Superior General his … Continue reading →

Eugene, writing in the third person, as the “Director”, for the official Diary of the Youth Congregation spoke about the importance of his baptism anniversary on 2 August. The Reverend Director reminded the congregants that the next day would be … Continue reading →

In the references that we have to Eugene’s birthday, we see them as occasions for reflection on his life and its direction. Two examples from his diary: August 1, 1841. Nothing special today, except that I am ending my 59th … Continue reading →

I do not believe that there is any other Congregation giving such a moving example in the Church. With this typical Mazenodian hyperbole Eugene began 1843 on an exultant note as he surveyed the missionary activities of his sons. All … Continue reading →

In France it is the custom to send greetings to everyone for the new year (unlike the custom of sending Christmas wishes in some other parts of the world). Eugene responds here to the new year greetings of Father Courtès. … Continue reading →

Bishop de Mazenod suffered when he saw people in Marseilles whose lives were far from good living. Once, for example, passing a group of people who were living lives of dissipation led him to express his pain at their situation … Continue reading →

During his time in Marseilles, Bishop Eugene was responsible for bringing in twelve congregations of religious sisters to meet the needs of the poor and abandoned in his diocese. When he could not “import” he was instrumental in the founding … Continue reading →

Father Telmon was a missionary fireball whose enthusiasm knew no limits. We will come across many examples of this in later entries. His enthusiasm was not always practical, however, as this entry in Eugene’a diary shows. Letter from Father Telmon … Continue reading →

What Eugene wrote about the Brothers holds true, where applicable, to all the vocations within the Mazenodian Family: I reply that I have always considered it an injustice to make men, who have come to us to become religious, work … Continue reading →