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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)
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Category Archives: LETTERS
PARISH MISSIONS: BRINGING EQUILIBRIUM TO THE “RIGHTS OF MAN”
The Revolution had given birth to a Constitution and to the Declaration of the Rights of Man – two important documents given prominence in France, and throughout the world. The missionaries wished to introduce a balance by reminding people of the … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: MOTIVATING PEOPLE THROUGH SYMBOLIC ACTIONS
During the missions all the ceremonies were an extension of the preaching, and had the same goal. Every means of instructing and leading people to experiencing the Saviour, and converting, was improvised and tried out. Symbolic actions and processions were … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: IN THE PENITENTIAL PROCESSION THE SUPERIOR TAKES ON HIMSELF THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE, IN IMITATION OF JESUS CHRIST. WHOM HE REPRESENTS IN THEIR MIDST
Eugene had understood the power of the Cross from the time of his youth, and was therefore able to lead others to open themselves to the same experience of the healing power of the Saviour. For him it was essential … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: CEREMONIES TO REINFORCE THE PREACHED MESSAGE AND TO APPEAL TO THE SENSES
What was begun through preaching in the pulpit in words was now confirmed and supplemented through dramatic actions which appealed to all the senses and made an unforgettable impression on the people. For this reason Eugene was emphatic that these … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF WRITING SERMON TEXTS
The importance of preaching led Eugene to be demanding of his Oblates regarding their preaching methods. In the Rule he insisted that the superior would not allow the missionaries to preach until they had written and studied the sermons that … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDY IN ORDER TO PREACH WELL
The missionary, as the instrument of Jesus Christ the Saviour, must pray but he must also study. From the very first rule of life drawn up in January 1816, the principle was established that one part of the life of … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: NEVER FORGET THE DIGNITY OF YOUR GREAT MINISTRY
Writing to his missionaries who had become disheartened as a result of criticism in Brignoles, Eugene rebuilds their courage by reminding them of the heart of mission: I suggest that you readopt attitudes befitting the dignity of your great ministry. … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE NEGATIVE REACTIONS OF INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
In March 1844, Father Joseph Martin panicked at the negative reaction of the upper class of Brignoles to the preaching of the young missionaries. He wrote to Eugene We who are only used to evangelize the poor people of the … Continue reading
PARISH MISSIONS: LET US COUNT OURSELVES FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO BE THE INSTRUMENTS OF GOD’S MERCY
Eugene continually insisted on his conviction that the missionaries had to be the instruments through which the Saviour spoke. I don’t need to tell you with what pleasure I read your report and re-read it to others. One can say … Continue reading
EUGENE AS MISSION PREACHER: SHARING HIS EXPERTISE WITH THE OBLATES
As a gifted speaker Eugene tried throughout his life to share his expertise with his Oblates so as to improve their presentation and consequently achieve the most benefit. The better the preaching of the Oblates, the more effective would be … Continue reading