Category Archives: LETTERS

REMEMBER THAT AFTER GOD YOU ARE MY GUIDE AND RIGHT ARM

The nomination of Fortuné de Mazenod as Bishop of Marseille, in January 1823, meant that he had to go to Paris immediately to fulfill the necessary ecclesiastical and civil processes required by this appointment. Eugene accompanied him on this journey, … Continue reading

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IN CONTINUOUS FORMATION THROUGH CHOICE OF ACTION

By the end of 1822 there were 12 Missionary priests fully occupied in preaching parish missions as well as running the permanent mission of the house of Aix, the Marian shrine at Laus, and the pilgrimage center dedicated to Christ … Continue reading

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NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE SPIRIT THAT IS PARTICULAR TO US

The Oblate presence in Marseille had begun with their acceptance of a chaplaincy to the Providence orphanage, which was immediately linked with the ministry to the Calvaire. [See the entries above from 17 to 26 September 2012]. We have seen … Continue reading

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LIGHTING MANY FLAMES

All the preparation that went into a parish mission usually ensured good results. The personal lifestyle of the Missionaries, their preparation of preaching material and evangelizing activities, their efforts to be living what they preached as a community etc. all … Continue reading

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RESPECTING PARISH STRUCTURES

Eugene reminds the Pastor of Aubagne that when the Missionaries came to a parish for a prolonged mission, they showed their closeness to the people by respecting the existing parish structures and cooperating with the Pastor and his assistants in … Continue reading

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CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

In making preparations for the Aubagne mission, Eugene touches on the heart of the mission, which is the personal God-encounter of each individual in the sacrament of reconciliation. The Pastor of Aubagne had been a former member of the Lazarist … Continue reading

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A SIMPLE MISSIONARY LIFESTYLE

August 15 had given Eugene a renewed clarity of vision and injection of missionary zeal. The focus of the ministry of the community was more clearly on the aspect of “all for God”  and service to the most abandoned rather … Continue reading

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THE STRUGGLES OF A YOUNG RELIGIOUS CONGREGATION

The reasons that Eugene gives for keeping Henri Tempier at Laus give a good indication of the situation of the fledgling group of Missionaries. There were some members with many qualities, but they were still too young to take too … Continue reading

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MAKING PERSONAL SACRIFICES FOR AN IDEAL

We have been seeing the importance of Henri Tempier for Eugene – they had been together in the “Oblate adventure” from the very beginning. Every major decision had been planned togethr and executed and evaluated together. After three years of … Continue reading

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YOU HAVE FROM THE FIRST DAY WE CAME TOGETHER GRASPED THE SPIRIT WHICH MUST ANIMATE US

It is significant that at this very moment when Eugene was confirmed in his role as the founder of a Missionary Society and assured of its future, he thought of Henri Tempier. Tempier had understood the God-given spirit of the … Continue reading

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