Category Archives: LETTERS

WE CAN ONLY BE DESTROYED IF WE ALLOW IT AND THAT WE WILL NEVER DO

It was far more important, however, to straighten out matters with Bishop de Bausset since the latter had planned to take more extreme measures. On October 22, 1823, the archbishop’s interview with Father Courtès, who had been delegated by the … Continue reading

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HOW MANY RELIGIOUS BODIES HAVE BEGUN BY THUS ENGAGING THEMSELVES BEFORE THE FORMAL APPROBATION OF THE CHURCH!

The Archbishop of Aix, who changed his mind nearly as often as he changed his clothes, also decided to draw profit from the situation. Leflon gives us the picture: Forever changing with the tide and poorly disposed toward Father de … Continue reading

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A COMMITMENT MADE TO GOD CANNOT BE LIGHTLY DISSOLVED

When the question of Deblieu and Maunier’s departure from the community came up, Eugene insisted that they had taken vows as Missionaries and could not walk away from this commitment to God. The advisers (doctors of Church law) of the … Continue reading

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MAY WE HELP ONE ANOTHER MUTUALLY TO BEAR A MISFORTUNE WHICH IS COMMON TO US

Not everyone in Aix was happy about Eugene’s departure and there was a sense of loss and insecurity in the community caused by the absence of this strong personality. Marseille was also not the only diocese in the south of … Continue reading

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A CRISIS

The second part of 1823 was a nightmare for Eugene. Not only did his arrival and presence in Marseille lead to friction in certain quarters, but difficulties emerged in Aix en Provence as well. I will not launch into a … Continue reading

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A CHAPTER OF REGRETS AND SORROWS

From the moment that Eugene set foot in Marseille as the Vicar General of his uncle, he began to suffer. The diocese had been vacant for two decades, and so there was a lot of reform to be undertaken. This … Continue reading

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I WILL ABANDON MY SOUL TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Finally, all the necessary documentation had been arranged and Fortune de Mazenod was ordained bishop in Paris on 6 July 1823. Writing to Tempier on the day before the event, Eugene said: This time I will use a right of … Continue reading

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I MAY REJOICE AT THE BIRTH OF A MAN AND OF A SAINT IN THIS CHERISHED FAMILY OF GOD

The father and founder of the Oblates rejoiced when he received a letter from Joseph-Hippolyte Guibert, informing him that he had passed thru his crisis and was now at peace with following his vocation. The letter which you have had … Continue reading

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THE SPREAD OF OUR SOCIETY IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE HATRED WHICH HE HAS VOWED AGAINST THE SOULS THAT WE STRIVE TO SAVE

It is supremely important, it is urgently imperative, that we lead the multitude of lost sheep back to the fold, that we teach these degenerate Christians who Jesus Christ is, that we rescue them from Satan’s power and show them … Continue reading

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DISCERNING THE WILL OF GOD THRU CONSULTING OUTSIDE OPINIONS

I admit, my dear good Guibert, your letter had deeply affected me… How could you wish, my dear friend, that it be otherwise, persuaded as I am that the good God has given you to us in answer to our … Continue reading

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