Category Archives: RULE

A BODY THAT BRINGS LIFE

For Eugene the Youth Congregation was not an institution, but a living body of young people who, together, had a motherly function for one another. Thus as a “mother” the congregation’s members engage themselves: Art. 3. By her example and … Continue reading

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THROUGH THE EYES OF THE SAVIOUR

Art. 2. It is to fulfill this duty for them that the Congregation will give all its members the most comprehensive instruction on all points of their religion either to teach them to know it well, or to provoke them … Continue reading

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VIRTUE AS A SEED

As a spiritual mother, the Youth Congregation wanted its members to understand their identity as Christians and to live accordingly. Eugene uses the word “virtue” often in this context – virtue as a quality or behaviour considered morally good or … Continue reading

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THE YOUTH CONGREGATION AS MOTHER

Exploring the Rules of 1813 and the later Statutes written by Eugene as a Rule of Life for the youth, one is surprised by how detailed and all-encompassing they are. Furthermore, all this did not remain on the level of … Continue reading

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GUARDING AGAINST DESPAIR

In Eugene’s ministry we find him accompanying the dying and staying with them until the moment of death. He wanted to assure that the person have a peaceful death and not give in to temptations to despair and to turn … Continue reading

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UNITED IN SORROW

When the last hours of the sick young man had arrived, all the members of the Youth Congregation were asked to live them in solidarity. The bells of the parish church would be rung to indicate that someone was dying. … Continue reading

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A TOUCH OF REALISM

Eugene was so involved in the lives of each congregant, and so it was natural that it was he who would want to administer the sacrament of the sick to the young person in danger of death. But we see … Continue reading

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THE LANGUAGE OF KINDNESS

Art. 37. All this material care lavished on the sick congregants indicates with what zeal the Congregation will pay close attention to provide them with an infinitely higher form of care. Statuts XIV, §2 Envers les congréganistes malades The Youth … Continue reading

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THE PRACTICAL FACE OF CARING

Art. 35. In the case of the sick person not having sufficient money to pay for the expenses which are incurred through the illness, the Council [ed. the leadership executive of the Youth Congregation], becoming aware of the situation, will … Continue reading

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THE SHORTEST ANSWER IS DOING

In seeing how these young people of the Youth Congregation grew into a closely bonded family, we can understand the level of concern when one of them became ill. It was an invitation to put their love for one another … Continue reading

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