Category Archives: LETTERS

THE CONCERN OF THE FATHER FOR THE HEALTH OF HIS OBLATE FAMILY

Eugene’s intuitive and loving personality is expressed in these letters as he reflects on the health of his Oblate sons who were ruining their health through their missionary zeal. I commiserate with our dear Suzanne; these pains are a sore … Continue reading

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GIVE HIM MORE CARE THAN HE COULD HAVE IN HIS FAMILY HOME, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO SELL LINEN AND CHALICES

Writing to Fr Courtès, the superior of the Aix community, about transferring the dying Jacques Marcou to the Aix community from the Nimes community, he expressed his paternal concern. But how much the happiness that I promise myself on seeing … Continue reading

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EVEN IF WE HAVE TO SELL EVERYTHING DOWN TO OUR SHOES, LET NOTHING BE SPARED TO LOOK AFTER HIM

Arriving in Turin, Eugene found mail from Marseille, containing news of the serious illness of Jacques Marcou. He had been one of the first members of Eugene’s youth congregation in Aix in 1813 and had joined the Oblates in 1821. … Continue reading

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THE GOOD GOD SPARES OUR WEAKNESS BY LEADING US GENTLY TO HIS ENDS

Journeying towards France by slow stage coach, Eugene wrote to his Oblate family from Milan, where he was able to pray at the tomb of the patron saint of the de Mazenod family, St Charles Borromeo. I have reserved my … Continue reading

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THE FIREPLACE WHERE THE MOTHER OF GOD PREPARED THE MEALS OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Eugene’s passionate love for God was the foundation of his life. It was not a dry intellectual relationship, but a holistic one that touched all aspects of his life, and particularly his affectivity. As he describes the house of Loreto, … Continue reading

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LIMPING OUT OF ROME

 Had dinner with the teologo Lanteri. Reserved a place in the carriage for Sunday the 30th, to return to France, by way of Loreto, Milan and Turin. Roman Diary, 22 April 1826, EO XVII  The weather was cold and damp; … Continue reading

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IF YOU HAD SEEN THE POPE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT HE GRANTED ME YESTERDAY, YOU WOULD HAVE WEPT WITH JOY

If you had seen the Pope in the audience of a good half hour that he granted me yesterday, you would have wept with joy. With what goodness he spoke to me, with what grace he smiled at the things … Continue reading

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THE GOOD GOD WAS PLEASED TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR ME AND OPEN ALL HEARTS TO ME

As Eugene finally prepares to leave Rome, he looks back at God’s presence and blessing in all that he achieved in the city. If I were not intimately convinced that the good God was pleased to prepare the way for … Continue reading

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THE OBEDIENCE OF OBLATE PRIESTS IS FIRST TO THE CONGREGATION AND THEN TO THE LOCAL BISHOP

Eugene spoke of us as being the men of the bishops and he tried to assure that our ministry and presence in the diocese be in communion with the ministry and spirit of the bishop. However, because of the papal … Continue reading

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UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PONTIFICALLY APPROVED RELIGIOUS SOCIETY

Fr. Tempier asked, at the beginning of 1826, for dimissorials for the ordination of Brothers Martin and Richaud. Bishop Arbaud replied, in the month of March, that these persons, native of Gap, ought to take the engagement of returning to … Continue reading

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