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- 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
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- 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
AN ILLNESS THAT BROUGHT ME TO DEATH’S DOOR
In January 1814, Napoleon’s armies were in retreat as the powers against him invaded France. He sent two thousand Austrian prisoners of war to Aix. Typhus broke out, and doctors and the chaplain died of it. Eugene became aware of … Continue reading
THE CHANGE THAT WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW IN THE LIVES OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE
A year after starting the youth congregation, Eugene could see results in the lives of the young people. The letters from its members, that we have in the archives, show that these fruits lasted well into their adulthood. What had … Continue reading
YOUTH: MEETINGS BUILT AROUND ENSURING AN EQUILIBRIUM
Eugene describes a typical day’s activities at a meeting. I have a pretty enclos (property) at the town gate. There I have got up a chapel for our spiritual exercises. In the garden they have all the space they need … Continue reading
YOUTH: I CAN REALLY PERCEIVE THE GOOD THAT THE LORD DOES THEM THROUGH MY MINISTRY
Eugene’s methodology is clear in this extract. He wanted to be sure that all the members were of a quality of being capable of making a contribution towards the good of the other young people of Aix. It was always … Continue reading
YOUTH: TO FORM CHRISTIANS WORTHY OF BEARING THIS NAME
Eugene expressed his guiding ideals for working with the youth in a letter to his friend Father Forbin Janson. What is clear is that Eugene wanted these young men to become yeast in Aix. Through their formation they could become … Continue reading
A SIMPLE INSTRUCTION THAT GOD IN HIS GOODNESS SEES TO SEASONING
Still in the letter to Forbin Janson where the young Father de Mazenod describes his early ministry, he speaks of what happened on Sunday evenings after he had finished ministering to the prisoners: From there I rush home, where is … Continue reading
WHAT HOPE FOR THE FUTURE!
Continuing his narration of his early priestly ministry in Aix en Provence, Eugene told his friend, Father Forbin-Janson: “Next, I go twice a month to the seminary and try, by the example of my conduct, to bring no dishonour to … Continue reading
PRISONERS: GOD’S COMMANDMENT MUST TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ANY HUMAN CONSIDERATION
Father Courtès had not given Communion to a prisoner condemned to death, and he received the anger and condemnation of Eugene for having been a weakling in the face of a pastoral need. You have made a very great mistake … Continue reading
I GAVE HIM COMMUNION DURING THE MASS I CELEBRATED IN THE SMALL PRISON CHAPEL
In 1837 Bishop de Mazenod was in Gap and describes his ministry to a prisoner condemned to death. My liturgical function on Sunday was wonderful. I did not only administer Confirmation to the poor condemned man, but to sanction by … Continue reading
THE MOST ABANDONED: INSTRUCTING, COMFORTING AND ENCOURAGING PRISONERS
The young Father Eugene was a fireball of energy during his first years of ministry. Apart from preaching to the people who spoke mostly Provencal, he gave importance to his ministry with the prisoners in Aix. Writing to his friend … Continue reading