-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on THROUGH A GIFT OF THE FATHER OUR OBLATE FAMILY CHOOSES THE WAY OF THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS (C12)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS ARE INDISPENSABLE (C12)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on ALL MEMBERS OF THE OBLATE CHARISMATIC FAMILY CHOOSE THE WAY OF THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS (C12)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on BEATITUDES: TO CONTINUALLY RENEW OURSELVES IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR VOCATION (C11)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on LEAVEN OF THE BEATITUDES AT THE HEART OF THE WORLD (C 11)
Archives
Meta
-
Category Archives: LETTERS
AS I USED TO ASCEND THE PULPIT … I DID NOT FORGET TO BEG THE MASTER PRESENT TO SPEAK HIMSELF BY MY MOUTH
Father de Mazenod’s first recorded activity in 1813 is his series of Lenten sermons in Provencal in the Church of the Madeleine. He tells his friend, Charles Forbin Janson, about its success: Each Sunday in Lent I have preached in … Continue reading
WE ARE PRIESTS FOR THE CHURCH ALONE AND SO EVERY MOMENT OF OUR TIME IS HERS
After his ordination, Eugene spent a semester as a formator at St. Sulpice Seminary because the Sulpicians had been expelled by Napoleon, and so the senior ordained seminarians took over the seminary until a more permanent solution could be found. … Continue reading
A SENSUAL PRIEST IS IN MY EYES A DEFORMED MONSTROSITY
Starting off with some observations on how the future” Father de Mazenod will dress,” Eugene touches on two themes that will be important for him in the future. The first is his criticism of priests who do not live by … Continue reading
ORDINATION: A JOYFUL AND GENEROUS OBLATION
Eugene reflects on the experience of his ordination to the sub-diaconate, particularly his thoughts during the Litany of the Saints. Although he is not yet an “Oblate”, it is the language of joyful and generous oblation that dominates his descriptions … Continue reading
FOR A PRIEST THE VALUE OF A SINGLE SOUL RANSOMED BY THE MAN-GOD
In continuing to try to convince his mother of the value of his vocation, Eugene uses the idea of the co-operator of the Saviour’s whole ministry being worthwhile even if he only brings one person to know salvation. He then … Continue reading
A PRIEST GIVES HIS LIBERTY AND LIFE FOR A SUFFERING CHURCH
Eugene the seminarian reflects on the meaning of priesthood in an abandoned Church: The number of seminarians has risen considerably this year; I really think we are close to a hundred. Among the candidates we pride ourselves on, we can … Continue reading
I WILL HAVE THE CONSOLATION OF LEAVING BEHIND ME A PHALANX OF GOOD MISSIONARIES
When Eugene died there were 414 Oblates (6 Bishops, 267 priests, 88 brothers) spread around the world. In 1854 he had written about this: “I will have the consolation of leaving behind me a phalanx of good missionaries who spend … Continue reading
A PROJECT THAT CERTAINLY COMES FROM GOD
Eugene had done a thorough process of discernment – and had been told by his spiritual director that his priestly vocation was “as clear as the noonday sun.” Once he had understood this as God’s will, he never wavered in … Continue reading
WHEN THE VOICE OF SIGNIFICANT OTHERS THREATENS TO BE LOUDER THAN GOD’S VOICE
Madame de Mazenod had ambitious plans for her 25 year old son. He consequently didn’t have the guts to tell her face-to-face that he wanted to go to the seminary. So he chose a roundabout way and gets her cousin, … Continue reading
THERE IS NOTHING INSTANT ABOUT CONVERSION
If we take Good Friday 1807 as a highpoint in Eugene’s conversion journey and search for a direction in his life, then this is the first text after that event that shows that he believes himself called to “a more … Continue reading