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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
A REQUEST FOR DIRECT APPROVAL FROM THE KING
Eugene was not satisfied and not prepared to wait until the matter came before Parliament in the distant future (if ever it would have). By now everyone in Aix knew why he was in Paris, and he could not return … Continue reading
CAUGHT UP IN POLITICAL DELAYING TACTICS
Eugene’s interview with the Minister was polite, but it was clear that the Minister was finding as many reasons as possible to delay asking a hostile parliament to vote on this issue. There is nothing to do at the moment … Continue reading
APPEALING DIRECTLY TO THE MINISTER
Eugene travelled hurriedly to Paris, where he was to remain from July until November 1817. On his arrival he wrote to his community in Aix: I write only these two words, my dear and good brothers, to give you news … Continue reading
OUR HOUSE WILL FALL TO THE GROUND, THE WIND AND TIDE ARE AGAINST THE MISSIONARIES
The priests were furious with Eugene’s reply and the matter was to go much further and eventually to reach the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Paris. The problem was not the Youth Congregation, but the existence of the community of … Continue reading
A CLASH OF PROVENCAL TEMPERS
Having survived the confirmation saga, Eugene faced another one regarding the first communion of some of his congregants a couple of months later. As always, he wrote to the pastors asking for their permission to proceed with the first communion … Continue reading
PREPARING TO APPLY NEW METHODS IN AIX
In dealing with the tensions between the young Father de Mazenod and some of the priests of Aix, I do not wish to give the impression that these priests were evil men. They were victims of their situations in a … Continue reading
I DEFEND MYSELF BY CONTINUING ALL THAT THE GOOD LORD WANTS ME TO DO IN SPITE OF THEM
The conflicts with some of the priests of Aix began in 1816, once the Missionaries of Provence had been established and they opened their church for public worship as from April 1816. As a church belonging to a community it … Continue reading
WHAT A PICTURE THAT CARRIAGE MADE, BEARING THE MOST PRECIOUS PERSON IN THE WORLD
Since in the previous entry I touched on the imprisonment of the Pope, I reproduce here the narrative of the Pope’s release and passing near Aix in February 1814. Napoleon had expressly forbidden that the Pope pass through the city … Continue reading
OUR RESPONSE TO CRITICISM IS TO DO AS MUCH GOOD AS WE CAN
The ministry of the young Father de Mazenod in Aix from 1813 onwards and as founder of the Missionaries of Provence from 1816 onwards had repercussions on the local church. Some of the diocesan priests saw a conflict of interests … Continue reading
YOU MUST BE MORE OPENLY A CHRISTIAN, A PRIEST AND AN APOSTLE
Continuing his reflections on the missionary crucifix, Eugene scolds Forbin Janson for having been influenced by those who criticised the open use of the crucifix. It is necessary because what we have experienced has at all times been acknowledged in … Continue reading