Category Archives: LETTERS

ONE THOUSAND ENTRIES AIMED AT UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRIT OF SAINT EUGENE WHICH ANIMATES OUR MAZENODIAN FAMILY IN 66 COUNTRIES

This is the one thousandth entry of “Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us”! What started as a simple private daily reflection has now grown into a daily blog in English, French and Spanish with 369 persons who receive it each … Continue reading

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LEARNING FROM MARY HOW TO LIVE IN UNITY WITH JESUS

The theme of Mary’s being united with Jesus, and thus being a model for his own unity with Jesus, returns often throughout the years that Eugene was at the seminary. On Christmas morning he wrote to his mother: Dearest Mother, … Continue reading

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THE PRESENCE OF MARY IN THE LIFE OF THE SEMINARIAN

Within days of arriving at the seminary to begin his studies for the priesthood, Eugene wrote to his grandmother: Up to now I can only speak of the life we are leading during the retreat, which is now unfortunately coming … Continue reading

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OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE – WHY DID WE NOT THINK OF THIS SOONER?

Once the decision had been made, and Eugene had requested this new name, he was filled with joy at having done the right thing. Oblates of the Immaculate Mary. But this is a passport to heaven! How have we not … Continue reading

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GOD DID NOT PREVENT JESUS CHRIST FROM LOVING PEOPLE, AND AMONGST THEM, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS

In his writings, Eugene’s affective nature often expresses itself. It was essential for him to have warm friendships. He always saw this as a God-given gift, and found as his model Jesus himself, who had close friendships in the Gospel. … Continue reading

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I BEAR WITHIN ME OUR WHOLE FAMILY IN ALL THESE HOLY PLACES THAT I VISIT EVERY DAY

Community for Eugene meant being in communion with his brother Oblates wherever he was, and whatever he was doing. In every holy place that he visited in Rome, they were present with him. Here are found all the saints since … Continue reading

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A TEACHER WHOSE INFLUENCE NEVER DIED

The house where Eugene was living in Rome was the place where Father Bartolo Zinelli was buried. What this young priest had been in Eugene’s life as an adolescent, Eugene himself had aimed at being in the lives of the … Continue reading

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A SINGLE ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES WOULD DECORATE A CITY.

I went to a great number of churches, each more beautiful than the other. In truth, a single one of these beautiful temples would decorate a city. Roman Diary, 4 December 1825, EO XVII All is holy here for him … Continue reading

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ROME: THE CAPITAL OF CHRISTENDOM

Eugene finally arrived in Rome on November 26. It was his first visit to Rome and he was filled with a sense of awe at being there. In each letter that he wrote and in the Diary that he kept … Continue reading

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FORMATION: REALIZING THE DEMANDS OF OUR VOCATION

The time of novitiate was a privileged time of formation for the future Oblates, and so Eugene wanted that time set aside to do what it was intended to. For those of us who are not Oblate novices, perhaps the … Continue reading

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