Category Archives: RULE

DIRECT EXPERIENCE

As we continue to explore the spirit and ministry of Saint Eugene with regard to his Youth Congregation, it is useful to keep in mind that his approach to the youth was the same as that operated in the preaching … Continue reading

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PRAYER CHANGES PEOPLE AND THEY CHANGE SITUATIONS

As we read the list of religious practices that the congregants had to commit themselves to, we may need to be reminded that they were not monks, but young scholars or students – mostly adolescents. The fact that nearly 300 … Continue reading

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AMONG THE POTS AND PANS

One of the greatest Christian mystics and contemplatives, Saint Teresa of Avila, lived in the awareness of God in her everyday activities and was able to proclaim: “The Lord walks among the pots and pans.” It is this same attitude … Continue reading

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BLOOMING LIKE FLOWERS

A click onto a webpage of world news, before or after you read this reflection, will fill your screen with images and descriptions of violence, deceitful politicians and countless situations where Gospel values seem to be totally absent. Human nature … Continue reading

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STAYING IN FOCUS

In whatever situation the young people found themselves, they were trained to focus on the presence of God as their reference point. This exercise of the presence of God and these short prayers must be done without any mental effort … Continue reading

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WHATEVER THE COST

As Eugene stresses that the most important aspect of the life of the young persons is to be followers of Jesus Christ, he reminds them to acknowledge this, whatever the consequences. It recalls how, for two hundred years, many of … Continue reading

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THE MOST HONOURABLE TITLE POSSIBLE

Eugene reminds the members of the Youth Congregation of the central reality of their lives: The members, recognizing that the most honourable quality for them is that of being Christian, will never be ashamed to openly profess this in whatever … Continue reading

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PLACES WHERE THE GOSPEL AND ALL ITS MAXIMS ARE SCORNED

Read through our 21st century eyes, this text appears bizarre. Yet, when we remember that in 1813 the theatres were generally centres of anti-religious sentiments and of loose moral values (how many operas of this period, for example, have marital … Continue reading

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THE FOUNDATION OF ALL RELATIONS

Continuing to teach his young charges how to grow strong in the midst of negative influences, Eugene refers to the scandal-filled and destructive atmosphere of some sections of Aix “society”: When unavoidably in this environment, particularly if they find themselves … Continue reading

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STAYING IN FOCUS

Eugene was aiming to form these young men into a corps that would be a force for good in the city. While they were impressionable, during their formative years, it was important that they be shielded from persons who could … Continue reading

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