Category Archives: RETREAT NOTES

A PRIEST CANNOT PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL WITHOUT THE TANGIBLE WITNESS OF HIS LIFE

For 7 years Eugene had been in charge of the Missionaries, and now as Vicar General of Marseille, his main preoccupation was about the priests of the diocese, whose “model, stay and support” he tried to be. He realizes that … Continue reading

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A LIFE-GIVING DESIRE FOR RENEWAL

The retreats for priests at the time of Eugene usually followed the Ignatian pattern of focusing the person on the realities of death and judgment and eternity as a means to lead the person to conversion and new life as … Continue reading

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LET ME SEE MYSELF AS YOU SEE ME

Eugene wants his retreat to be a time of honest evaluation and conversion. He prays: Lord, make a ray of your heavenly light shine on me so that I may see myself as you see me; inspire my soul with … Continue reading

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A REVIEW OF LIFE THROUGH THE FOCUS OF HOPE

As he begins his retreat, Eugene intends to make an exacting examination of his life and behaviour. It is interesting that he wants to do this through the eyes of hope – through the lens of what God’s love holds … Continue reading

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I ENCOURAGE MY BROTHERS TO LOVE RATHER THAN BE AFRAID

As Eugene reflects on the necessity of focusing on hope in difficult times, he remembers how he constantly urges the Oblates to live in this spirit of hopeful confidence in the love of God. Addressing hope, he writes: You whom … Continue reading

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A HYMN TO HOPE

Realizing that the demands of his work in Marseille had led him to spiritual luke-warmness, he did not despair. Ever since Eugene had been ravished by the experience of God’s love for him, it was the virtue of hope that … Continue reading

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AWARENESS OF GOD IN THE WHIRLWIND OF BUSINESS MATTERS

Eugene had been thrown into such a “whirlwind of business matters” in Marseille that he feared that he had become lukewarm in his religious and spiritual life because he was not doing enough to nourish it. If people but knew … Continue reading

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I MUST GAIN SALVATION BY CONTINUING TO BUSY MYSELF WITH OTHERS

After our prolonged break for Easter, we resume our journey through the writings of Saint Eugene. The year is 1824. Nearly a year after being appointed Vicar General of Marseille diocese, he managed to get away for a few days … Continue reading

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OBLATION INVOLVES FAMILIARITY WITH SCRIPTURE

… continue to have them learn by heart several verses of the New Testament every day Letter to Henri Tempier, 18 June 1821, EO VI n. 68  Familiarity with the Sacred Scriptures was an essential requirement for the Missionary. It … Continue reading

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DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU

In his prayer, Eugene now turns to Mary, asking her to accompany him as he lives his new responsibilities. Virgin Mary, my good Mother, had I invoked you more often, I would not have so much cause for lament. Be … Continue reading

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