Category Archives: LETTERS

THE YOUTH CONGREGATION AS MOTHER

Exploring the Rules of 1813 and the later Statutes written by Eugene as a Rule of Life for the youth, one is surprised by how detailed and all-encompassing they are. Furthermore, all this did not remain on the level of … Continue reading

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A MOTHER THAT GAVE THEM LIFE

The third section of the Rule life focused on the relationship of the young people with the Church: In the same way they will accept the teachings of the Holy Church. They will observe them with the full knowledge that … Continue reading

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MAKE TEACHING ATTRACTIVE BY EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS

The 1813 Rule of Life for the Youth Congregation was divided into four sections. The first section focused on Jesus Christ in their lives. The second section was on how to live this relationship:  The first condition that God requires … Continue reading

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PERHAPS I MIGHT BREATHE SOME LIFE INTO THIS AILING BODY

Eugene was no stranger to youth work. Four years earlier, while he was a seminarian in Paris, he had charge of a catechism class for difficult boys. What he had learnt through that experience was certainly to be a help … Continue reading

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THIS IS STILL THE WORK OF WORKS

Before beginning his venture with the young people of Aix, Eugene had written to his spiritual director, Father Duclaux, asking advice on his plans to gather young people on Sundays so as to instruct them. Duclaux’s reply of 23 February … Continue reading

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THE SUPERIOR OF A COMMUNITY IS GOD’S INSTRUMENT

At this moment in Aix there were 5 Missionaries and 7 novice-seminarians and every indication that the group would continue growing. There were also some university students living in the house, but we do not have records to indicate how … Continue reading

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FORMATION: THE DISCIPLINE OF MAINTAINING THE SPIRIT OF THE UPPER ROOM

As the size of the group increased, it was necessary that there be a common Rule to capture the spirit of the group and how to live by this spirit. Eugene’s letters from Paris clearly indicate that he was preparing … Continue reading

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FORMATION: TO BE LIKE THE APOSTLES IN THE UPPER ROOM BEING PREPARED TO BE SENT ON MISSION

Eugene’s conception of the Missionaries was that they had to be an elite group at the service of the Church. He was not being snobbish (“better-than-thou”) in saying this, but wanted to underline that their vocation was to be specialists … Continue reading

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FORMATION: HANDING ON EUGENE’S GOD-GIVEN SPIRIT

 As the number of young people who belong to the house has increased, clarity and regularity must grow in proportion.  Apart from the Missionaries, there were now seven young people in the house who had begun the formation process to … Continue reading

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EUGENE’S AFFECTION FOR THE MEMBERS OF HIS COMMUNITY

Eugene wrote to Hippolyte Courtès who was a 19 year-old man from Aix, who had been a member of his Youth Congregation. There was a good relationship between them and for the rest of their lives they were to be … Continue reading

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