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Recent Posts
- “THIS SOCIETY PLEASES ME; I KNOW THE GOOD IT DOES… MY INTENTION IS NOT MERELY THAT THESE RULES BE PRAISED BUT THAT THEY BE APPROVED” (POPE LEO XII)
- IT IS IN THIS STATE OF HOLY ABANDON THAT I WAITED
- EUGENE PLACED THE RULE AT THE TOMB OF PETER AND IMPLORED HIM AND SAINT PAUL AND THE OTHER HOLY POPES WHO ARE BURIED IN THE SAME PLACE, TO ACCEPT AND BLESS THEM.
- THE CUSTOM WAS TO ENCOURAGE, NOT TO APPROVE
- THE DECISIVE MOMENT WHEN THE POPE RECOGNIZED THE WORK OF GOD IN OUR CHARISM
Recent Comments
- Mildred March on A SUMMARY OF TEN YEARS OF OBLATE MINISTRY
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on FAITH-FOCUSED INVESTMENT GROUPS: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on VIVAT: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WE SHOW A VERY HUMAN FACE OF JESUS TO THE WORLD, ONE FULL OF COMPASSION AND SOLIDARITY (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVANGELIZATION (Rule 9a)
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Category Archives: LETTERS
THE IDENTITY OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY: OBLATION AS THE SPIRIT THAT DISTINGUISHES IT FROM OTHER GROUPS
What is the spirit that is specific to our existence? Eugene defines it as being that of oblation. Our Lord Jesus Christ has left to us the task of continuing the great work of the redemption of mankind… This spirit … Continue reading
THE IDENTITY OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY: TO CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK OF THE REDEMPTION OF MANKIND
Here Eugene touches the heart of the vocation of the Missionary – the unique purpose of the Mazenodian family exists to co-operate with Jesus Christ in his work of redemption. A year later, Eugene would describe the Oblates as “co-operators … Continue reading
THE IDENTITY OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY: ALL FOR GOD AT THE SERVICE OF OTHERS
Eugene’s time in Paris coincided with the moment when the government of King Louis XVIII was involved in repairing the destruction wreaked on the Church by the Revolution and Napoleon. One of their tasks was to re-establish some of the … Continue reading
I APPRECIATE AND PREFER THIS FAMILY OF MY CHOICE, TO EVERYTHING THE WORLD CAN OFFER
After God, it was the religious family of Missionaries he belonged to that was the most important focus of his life. Having spent six weeks in Paris, Eugene felt the separation even more acutely: Do you not know that I … Continue reading
THE COMMUNITY IS NOT A HOTEL
Eugene continues to reflect on community and how each member is to be committed to it. He uses the concept of “house” in the sense not of a physical building, but of the place where the community takes a form. … Continue reading
DECEITFUL OR MALICIOUS PRIESTS ARE THE GREAT WOUND OF THE CHURCH
Eugene was in Paris precisely because some of the priests of Aix were attacking the Missionaries of Provence and he needed support to counteract this and to ensure the survival of his missionary community that was doing so much good … Continue reading
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AND BRING LIFE IN A WOUNDED CHURCH AND WORLD
The life experience of Eugene had led him to come into direct contact with the wounds inflicted on the Church by the French Revolution, and with the void left by the destruction of the ancient religious orders. In exile in … Continue reading
COMMUNITY: IF WE KNEW HOW TO PRAY BETTER, WE WOULD HAVE MORE COURAGE
While Eugene is in Paris to regulate the business of the Missionaries, he has time to look back and reflect on the 18 months of the life of the Missionaries of Provence. From the context of what he writes it … Continue reading
COMMUNITY IS MORE THAN JUST A GROUP OF PERSONS BEING NICE TO EACH OTHER
Insisting that Tempier and the community had to work to continue to “make of our home an earthly paradise” Eugene stressed some of the qualities necessary for this to be achieved. They were to avoid self-centredness, to be zealous for … Continue reading
THE FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY: A TENDER, AFFECTIONATE, AND SINCERE CHARITY
Reflecting on the blessing of being part of a community with a healthy family spirit, Eugene now underlines the values necessary to maintain this spirit and allow it to grow. For the love of God never cease to inculcate and … Continue reading