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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on FAITH-FOCUSED INVESTMENT GROUPS: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on VIVAT: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WE SHOW A VERY HUMAN FACE OF JESUS TO THE WORLD, ONE FULL OF COMPASSION AND SOLIDARITY (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVANGELIZATION (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WALKING THE LINE BETWEEN PROPHETIC VISION AND SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE (CONSTITUTION 9)
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Category Archives: LETTERS
ACCOMMODATING ALL THIS FINE AFFECTION FOR RELATIVES WOULD OBLIGE ONE TO EMPTY A HOUSE IN ONE WEEK OR TO DISRUPT A MISSION OR SEVERAL MISSIONS
The request of Fr. Honorat to visit his aunt, became the occasion for Eugene to explain why he did not permit Oblates to visit their relatives indiscriminately. You are strong enough, my dear Honorat, to bear a refusal. That is … Continue reading
NEVER COMPROMISE ON FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Shortly after the Oblate mission in Digne, Eugene writes about a confrontation with the Bishop of Gap, the neighboring diocese in which our sanctuary of Laus was situated. Clearly Eugene, whose life changed at the foot of the Cross when … Continue reading
IN CRITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES PEOPLE ARE WON OVER THROUGH THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES
The missionaries were preaching in Digne. It was in an area known for its Jansenist rigidity and for being critical of the Oblates whose preaching focused more on God’s mercy for sinners than on legalism and hellfire. Conscious that their … Continue reading
TRANSPARENCY WITH MONEY
The Oblate missionaries seemingly wanted to take a collection for the poor. While being in favour of the principle, Eugene sounds a note of caution regarding clarity and transparency. The people who are giving money must be absolutely clear that … Continue reading
THE PROBLEM OF PROVIDING FOR THE NEEDS OF SO MANY OBLATES RICH IN VIRTUE BUT DEPRIVED OF ALL EARTHLY GOODS
While being grateful for the inheritance received by the Oblates from the estate of Madame de Grimaldi, Eugene notes that her heirs could have blocked this legacy. It is however essential to take notice that the benefactress could not have … Continue reading
AS IF MISSIONARIES OUGHT TO LIVE ON AIR, SO SPIRITUAL THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE
Jesus taught that “the worker is worthy of his hire” and that the missionary must trust in divine providence. This providence does not fall out of the skies, but comes through the generosity of benefactors. Fr. Courtès, in Aix, had … Continue reading
A HEART WHICH CANNOT BE OUTDONE BY ANYONE WHEN IT COMES TO LOVING
Perturbed by the zealous frenetic activity of his missionary Oblates, Eugene writes to Fr Courtès, the superior of the Aix community, recommending that he watch over the health of those entrusted to his care in the community. … Adieu, be … Continue reading
DROP EVERYTHING AND GET HERE
In vain I write to you to stop, to catch your breath, and you keep on just the same. Eugene’s frustration with Fr Mie is obvious! He then appeals to reason. I make known to you the difficulty I have … Continue reading
THERE ARE ONLY TWO OF YOU AND YOU TAKE ON WORK ENOUGH FOR SIX
Nine days after his previous instructions to Fr. Mie, Eugene’s patience with this missionary’s misplaced zeal begins to wear thin. I told you positively to do only one mission when you left Marseilles and I even fixed a limit, as I … Continue reading
MY CONSCIENCE REQUIRES THAT YOU REST YOURSELF WELL
At the beginning of September Eugene had written to Father Mie insisting that he take a period of rest. A month later, not only had he not taken a rest but had become involved in another pastoral commitment that upset … Continue reading