Category Archives: LETTERS

DEATH AS A TIME OF NEW COMMUNION

My morning has been employed in having young ladies of the French convent of Saint Denis make their first communion; think of my sorrow when I had to speak to these young people of the age of our poor Caroline … Continue reading

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OBLATE VOCATIONS: NO EARTHLY TREASURES WILL RAIN ON THEM

 Let us work truly for God, I say this once more concerning our Jubilee at Aix. Let them keep instructing and converting and, if possible, to take some means in view of perseverance. For that it would be necessary that … Continue reading

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THEY WILL ALL HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT MEN ARE NOT MADE OF IRON AND THAT EVEN IRON WEARS OUT

The father of the Oblate family frets about the welfare of his Oblates: Night and day the labours of our Fathers are on my mind and I cannot put it at rest. It is not possible that they are bearing … Continue reading

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PREACH TO INSTRUCT AND BRING PEOPLE TO GOD

When Eugene had lived in Aix, he had made the Oblate church a center of mission where people flocked to be nourished by the solid preaching and by prayer and the reception of the sacraments. He insists that the Oblates … Continue reading

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PREACH ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE

In 1826 the Oblates had been involved in assisting the local clergy of Aix in the preaching campaign of the jubilee celebrations. In Rome, Eugene followed the progress of this preaching and responded. From this letter it seems that the … Continue reading

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THE ANNOYANCE OF GOOD EXAMPLE

Continuing to reflect on the news he is receiving in Rome about the preaching in Aix, Eugene responds to the indifference and criticism of some of the participants in the missions. I have not understood what Fr. Courtès wished to say … Continue reading

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ROLLING BALLS OF FIRE IN DANGER OF BURNOUT

Receiving news of the zealous preaching and ministry of the Oblates during the jubilee celebrations in Aix, Eugene responded: The news that you give me about the Jubilee of Aix is murderous. It is not possible for our Brothers to … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: RECEIVE WITH FRESH ENTHUSIASM THIS RULE OF LIFE THAT HAS BEEN JOYFULLY GIVEN TO US

In consequence, receive with delight this code of our Rules that I joyfully send you. Keep these Rules with the most scrupulous care; they have been judged by the Sovereign Pontiff as very appropriate to bring souls to perfection; may … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: A SPIRIT OF OBLATION TO CHANGE THE WORLD OF THE MOST ABANDONED

Eugene concludes his official narration of the events of our approbation with the exhortation to respond by making their own the words of Saint Paul: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Now, … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: OUR HISTORY AS A VISION OF GOD’S CREATION ON THE MOVE

Thomas Jefferson said that he liked the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. Yet, for Eugene, our history and its human instruments helped us to understand God’s plan for us for the future. We have … Continue reading

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