Category Archives: WRITINGS

During his lifetime, St Eugene was portrayed as having a zealous missionary heart as large as the world. I am not a prophet, yet I have always been a man of desires and some of them have been heard and … Continue reading →

St Francis of Assisi had instructed his friars to preach with words only when necessary. In other words, it was the exemplary quality of their lives that was meant to make the biggest impact on people. This too was the … Continue reading →

The six missionaries who were on their way to establish the first Oblate mission in Canada were human and certainly not perfect. Eugene, as the father of this family, was aware of this and gives them advice on how to … Continue reading →

St. Eugene writes to the first-ever group of who leave France to establish our first foreign mission “sons of mine who journey towards this beautiful mission which reaches out its arms to you.” He warns the six Oblates about the … Continue reading →

Bishop Eugene de Mazenod, committed to be in Marseilles, nevertheless took great interest in the missionary work of each of his Oblate sons. Continue this vocation with trust and courage, you see how the good Lord guides your steps and … Continue reading →

Eugene de Mazenod was Superior General of the Oblates, while at the same time being Bishop of Marseilles. He thus had the overall responsibility for the missionary work of the Oblates and took a direct interest in all that they … Continue reading →

On a rare break with his mother and his sister’s family, Eugene described his impressions in glowing terms. The family gathering was to be the last with his nephew, Louis, who was terminally ill. Two of Louis’ sisters had died … Continue reading →

Eugene’s nephew, Louis Boisgelin, was studying to be a Jesuit priest and had fallen gravely ill. He would be the third of Eugene’s sister’s children to die young. Louis had been sent home to rest for a while, and Eugene … Continue reading →

Eugene’s musings about his 60th birthday and age need no commentary today. August 1: Nothing special today except that I finish my 59th year. This is how we approach the end almost without even noticing it. We grow older one … Continue reading →

Hippolyte Guibert had been 14 years old and living near from the Missionaries of Provence when they were founded in 1816 in Aix. For seven years he observed their zeal and finally, at the age of 21, he felt called … Continue reading →