Category Archives: LETTERS

THE SOURCE OF ENERGY THAT POWERS MAZENODIAN SPIRITUALITY

When I speak of the central focus of a spirituality and refer to a defining experience or understanding of God, some respond by saying that they have never had an experience of God. By ‘experience’ I do not mean a … Continue reading

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IS THERE SUCH A THING AS OBLATE/MAZENODIAN SPIRITUALITY?

For five years “St Eugene Speaks” has been working through the letters of Saint Eugene de Mazenod in a chronological manner. As we prepare for the bicentenary of our foundation, I have been asking myself how best to focus these … Continue reading

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HENRI TEMPIER: MY SON

Adieu, my faithful and dear companion, son, brother and cherished father …. Letter to Henri Tempier, 21 October 1828, EO VII n 313 In his writings we become aware that Eugene was always conscious of being the father of the … Continue reading

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HENRI TEMPIER: MY FAITHFUL AND DEAR COMPANION

Concluding a letter to Henri Tempier, Eugene expresses who Tempier was for him: Adieu, my faithful and dear companion, son, brother and cherished father …. Letter to Henri Tempier, 21 October 1828, EO VII n 313  Tempier, throughout 45 years, … Continue reading

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I HAVE ALL MY LIFE DESIRED TO DIE A VICTIM OF CHARITY

Eugene’s own experience of living “all for God” – oblation – made him sensitive to all manifestations of this in others. How proud he must be when he sees so many of his Oblate sons giving their lives in the … Continue reading

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DISCOVERING THE PERSON OF JESUS AND FEELING THE ATTRACTION OF HIS MESSAGE

While visiting the novices in Marseille, Eugene reported to Fr. Tempier that even though the number was small, the quality was good. … All is admirable here, save for the number; there is much to groan about considering how few … Continue reading

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IT IS NOT FOR YOU, IT IS FOR THE CHURCH

Father Courtès was chaplain to a high school in Aix. As a result of the government’s anti-religious measures it appears that he was ignored at the annual prize-giving ceremony. Eugene responded: … If next year the convocation is to be … Continue reading

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NEGOTIATING THE LABYRINTH OF A MOST BUSY LIFE

Shaken by the deaths of two Oblates in quick succession, Eugene wrote to the overly-enthusiastic and impetuous Honorat with advice on how to look after himself, pace his work and plan his work more carefully. Changing the circumstances to our … Continue reading

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I DO NOT KNOW WHICH SENTIMENT PREDOMINATES BUT I AM NOW AFFLICTED, NOW CONSOLED, SAD AND SERENE

Two Oblates had died within four days of each other: Philippe Dumolard and of Victor Arnoux. Eugene gives us a glimpse of his personal reactions – a reflection of our own when faced with the death of loved ones. So … Continue reading

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OUR FIDELITY IN PRACTICING CONSTANTLY THIS RULE WHICH HAS HELPED THEM TO ARRIVE WHERE THEY ARE

Looking at the lives of the four Oblates who had already reached the end of their earthly journey, Eugene asks himself what the secret of their happiness was. I presume that our community above must be placed quite close to … Continue reading

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