Category Archives: LETTERS

IN DEATH HE IS STILL USEFUL TO OUR WORK

Rejoicing with Fathers Mie and Moreau in the successful parish mission among the poor in the mountains, he encourages them and compares their ministry to a battle campaign against the power of evil. I rejoice over all you and Fr. … Continue reading

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EXHAUSTED MISSIONARIES STARVED FOR THE SALVATION OF THE POOR

The Oblates were conducting a mission among “poor abandoned mountain people,” and the team wanted to prolong their time with them. Acknowledging their generosity, he still demands that they not prolong the mission and take a period of necessary rest. … Continue reading

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EXHAUSTED PERSONS MAKE THEMSELVES POWERLESS

The excessive zeal of the Oblate missionaries had a tendency to drain their physical energy – and to lead to disagreeable consequences. An exhausted missionary makes for a useless missionary. Once again, Eugene expresses his concern for the welfare of … Continue reading

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OPENING ONESELF TO RECEIVE GOD’S GIFTS

Sometimes, because of the work schedules of the people, the evening prayer for the public and the oraison for the Oblates would be at the same time. We have often seen the importance Eugene gave to this evening meditation before … Continue reading

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ENABLING PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Each evening the Oblate communities would organize evening prayer in their public churches for the local people. Eugene reminds them that the aim of the exercise was not to give the people a sermon, but to give them reflections which … Continue reading

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FREEDOM IN SIMPLICITY

Since 1821 the Oblates had been present in Marseille with such a flourishing ministry that they were in the process of enlarging their community premises. Eugene wanted the novitiate to be transferred to a part of this house. His plans … Continue reading

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NOVITIATE: THE LIGHTING OF A FIRE

Before the candidates to Oblate life made their commitment, they had to do an intense year of prayer and reflection, called the novitiate. The behavior of Nicolas Riccardi and some others had led Eugene to question how well the novitiate … Continue reading

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PERMANENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND PERSISTENCE

Having written to try to help Nicolas Riccardi back to some clarity regarding his Oblate vocation, Eugene wrote to Tempier to tell him about it. He complains about people who have so many conflicting ideals and are unable to make … Continue reading

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CEASE TO OBSTRUCT GOD’S PLANS FOR YOU

The confused Riccardi had left the Oblate novitiate and then come to his senses. Eugene decided to give him another chance and to encourage the obvious good that he saw in this young man. After yielding to a scarcely credible … Continue reading

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HAD YOU OFFERED YOURSELF TO GOD WITH MORE GENEROSITY AND LESS HESITATION

Since his conversion, Eugene had always lived the ideal of doing everything for God. All who joined him were expected to follow the same ideal – hence the name “Oblate” and the act of oblation, giving all for God. When … Continue reading

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