-
Recent Posts
- I COULD NOT HOLD BACK MY TEARS, SO TOUCHED WAS MY HEART BY THIS GOODNESS. IT IS SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY AND WE CAN ONLY BE DUMBFOUNDED BEFORE GOD AT THIS PROTECTION
- “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
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)
Archives
Meta
-
Category Archives: LETTERS
PARISH MISSIONS: ENSURING ON-GOING STRUCTURES FOR SOLVING PRACTICAL ISSUES
To ensure ongoing harmony in relationships in the villages the missionaries established the “peace offices.” Thus during the mission at Barjols, for example, we find Eugene saying: People are publicly and spontaneously reconciled at the foot of the cross. It … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SINGING
The final section of the prayer and hymn book consisted of hymns in the Provençal language. They dealt with each of the major themes of the mission and taught the Creed, the commandments of God, of the Church, and many … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE IT WAS DONE UNDER THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
It was always Christ the Saviour who was the focal point for Eugene and the missionaries, as was underlined by their use of their Oblate crucifix in confession that they placed in the hands of the penitent. It is useful … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE THE PRIESTS WERE CONVINCED OF GOD’S MERCY
Perhaps the greatest reason for the success of their confession ministry came because they followed the moral theology of St. Alphonsus Liguori that was founded on the loving and healing mercy of God. In a society imbued with Jansenism, the … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL ACCOMPANIMENT
The ministry of confessions during the missions also gave the opportunity for a certain amount of on-going individual accompaniment and direction. This was done by not always giving absolution the first time so as to give the penitent the opportunity … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE OF PRIESTS WITH A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK
The achievement of the ministry of confessions during the missions was obvious in every parish mission undertaken by the Oblates. Initially it was because of the situation caused by the French Revolution and its aftermath, and how this encounter filled … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: THE NEED FOR A SENSE OF REALISM IN THE MISSIONARY ZEAL OF THE MISSIONARIES
The pace set in the missions and the zeal and generosity of the missionaries took its toll on their health. As the years progressed, Eugene insisted on being more realistic in their use of energy. In 1850, for example, he … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE GIVEN TO THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
The confessional was the privileged place of encounter and reconciliation between the penitent and Jesus the Saviour. It is thus not surprising that the missionaries dedicated every available moment to this ministry during their village missions. The pattern was set … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
References to the numerous confessions are to be found in all the plentiful accounts of the missions. Eugene’s conviction as a mission preacher was that: The ministry of the Word cannot be substituted for the sacrament of penance instituted by … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: LEARNING TO BE DISCIPLES FROM MARY
For a population used to hard physical work, it was essential that the mission provide more than only sermons to listen to – the people had to be involved with their senses and their actions. One of the ways of … Continue reading