Category Archives: RULE

COMMUNICATING A SPIRIT OF GROWTH

The 30 year-old Father de Mazenod started his youth ministry with 7 young persons in 1813. With the numbers increasing rapidly it was necessary to produce statutes to formally express the ideals of the group and to give the body … Continue reading

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A PRIEST WHO HAD CONSECRATED THE FIRST YEARS OF HIS MINISTRY ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO YOUNG PEOPLE

Looking back at the end of 1817 Eugene described himself as a priest who had consecrated the first years of his ministry almost exclusively to the sanctification of youth. Diary of the Youth Congregation, 1 November 1817, O.W. XVI  It … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE RETURN VISIT TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE MISSION

Once the missionaries had left the village they tried to return after a while to stoke up the fires of enthusiasm once again: The missionaries will return to the place where they gave a mission four or five months later … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: PREACHING MUST LEAD TO A SACRAMENTAL ENCOUNTER IN CONFESSION

Everything in the mission aimed at bringing the villagers to living in relationship with Christ the Saviour. Preaching, processions, house visits and all other activities aimed at leading the people to this encounter, in a particular way through the sacraments … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: PREACHING TO BE PREPARED IN PRAYER

It was the Saviour who had to speak through his co-operator, as Eugene wrote in his Rule: The missionary – lest his preaching be in vain – will pray and get others to pray to the Divine Master of hearts, … Continue reading

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EUGENE AS MISSION PREACHER: HIS SECRET OF SUCCESS WAS HIS OWN INTIMATE EXPERIENCE OF GOD

Make it evident that we are penetrated with what we teach, and that we have begun to practice, before attempting to instruct others 1818 Rule Part 1, chapter 3, §1 That Eugene was preaching from his own intimate experience and … Continue reading

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COMMUNION IN DEATH

The moment that the members of the Youth Congregation became aware of the death of one of its members, they each had a responsibility to accompany him in prayer. ART. 55. The Prefect informs all members of the Congregation. The … Continue reading

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MISSION PREACHING: CONVINCE THE PEOPLE TO LEAVE THEIR WARM BEDS TO COME TO CHURCH

We must seek only to instruct the faithful, to be attentive to the needs of the greater part of the audience, and we must not be content to break the bread of the Word of God for them, but also … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: INVITATION TO A NEW HEART, A NEW SPIRIT, A NEW MISSION.

Since the missions are one of the principal ends of the Institute, all will strive principally to fulfill well this task. 1818 Rule Chapter Two §1 After the break for Christmas, the daily reflections on the writings of St Eugene … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: INSIST ON MAKING JESUS CHRIST KNOWN AND LOVED

The instruction of the missionaries did not stop at giving people academic knowledge about the catechism and who Jesus was, but Eugene insisted that they were to teach them that Jesus was their Saviour and aimed at inviting them to … Continue reading

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