Category Archives: LETTERS

NURTURING THE NEW PLANT

Very soon after the arrival of the new community of Oblates in Nimes, Eugene wrote them a letter full of advice. It gives the impression of a an anxious parent standing by as he watches a child taking his first … Continue reading

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PERSONAL WITNESS AS A SOURCE OF VOCATIONS

While waiting to find a permanent house, the three Oblates lived at the seminary. … You appreciate the advantage of being lodged in the seminary while waiting to find a suitable place. Who knows if God will not find for … Continue reading

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HE UNDERSTOOD AT FIRST SIGHT WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT WE AIM TO DO

The growth in the number of vocations made it possible for Eugene to explore the possibilities of the establishment of a fourth center of mission for the Oblates. His attempt in Nice had not met with success, and so he … Continue reading

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I DO NOT SEE HOW THIS PARISH MINISTRY CAN BE THE VOCATION OF OUR MISSIONARIES

Eugene and the Missionaries had been approached to establish themselves in Alais, in the Diocese of Nimes. Travelling to see the situation, he reported to Henri Tempier: … Meanwhile, they offer to rent you lodging in a small house at … Continue reading

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ALWAYS CELEBRATE THE JOY OF EASTER WITH THE COMMUNITY

The turning point of Eugene’s life came with his experience of God’s love for him as evidenced on the Cross. His Good Friday experience was the door that opened for him to welcome the Risen Christ at Easter. Because of … Continue reading

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FRATERNAL CORRECTION – BEING MINISTERED TO

We saw above how the new priest, Bernard Vachon, had been reprimanded by his superior in Aix, and was upset by it. Eugene’s letter continues to reassure him, in a fatherly way, that no personal harm was intended or done. … Continue reading

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LOVE THE UNLOVABLE – FRATERNAL CORRECTION AND FORGIVENESS

One of the challenges of living together in community is having to get on with the different personalities of people. One of the pivots of successful community living is the ability to be honest with one another – particularly when … Continue reading

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A CONSTANT REMINDER OF OUR MORTALITY

In each house of the Society, in order to provide the members who live therein some good thoughts about death, there will always be kept in reserve a crucifix which will be hung in some visible place of a common … Continue reading

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PRAYING THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS TOGETHER

During the early months of 1825 we find Eugene and the Oblates preoccupied with revising the Rule of Life that they had written seven years earlier. Their lived experience had led them to make some changes in the text that … Continue reading

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MISSIONARY ENTHUSIASM HAS TWO HANDS

The young community was growing – and so were their expenses! In particular, all the candidates who came to join the Missionaries brought no income into the community during their years of formation. This was to be an ongoing source … Continue reading

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