Category Archives: DIARY

A DAY OF PRAYER, INSTRUCTION AND GAMES

The Youth Congregation used to meet every Thursday and Sunday, but also on feast days. Here the Diary entry for Wednesday 2 November, All Souls Day, gives an idea of their activities of prayer, instruction and games. We gathered at … Continue reading

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THE GROWING YOUTH CONGREGATION DEDICATED TO MARY IMMACULATE

During the time of Napoleon, the formation of Christian youth sodalities was banned. Eugene’s gatherings with the youth were initially illegal and had to be disguised as a recreational youth group. With the end of the Napoleonic era, it was … Continue reading

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TO STRENGTHEN EVER MORE THE GOOD THAT IS DONE IN THE CONGREGATION, HIS HOLINESS IS ASKED TO APPROVE IT

With the fall of Napoleon, Eugene was now able to openly form his youth association into what it really was: a sodality or congregation. In order to give it some authority, he wrote to the Pope asking for a formal … Continue reading

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THIRTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY OF BAPTISM

Eugene’s statement of the importance of his baptism anniversary was no exaggeration. Throughout his life he solemnly celebrated this anniversary of his life in Jesus Christ The Reverend Director reminded the congregants that the next day would be his birthday, … Continue reading

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BETTER SUITED TO DELINQUENCY ON THE STREETS THAN TO PROFITING FROM THE GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Not all was rosy in the youth congregation! Eugene aimed at gathering together young men who were capable of forming an élite group that would be a transforming force in the city. Anyone who was unable to be formed this … Continue reading

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DEVOTION OF THE YOUTH TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Very Reverend Vicars General have authorized the Reverend Director to place and keep the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of the Congregation. This special favour that Our Lord has seen fit to extend to the congregants has been received … Continue reading

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GOD HAS TANGIBLY POURED HIS GRACE INTO THE WELL-DISPOSED HEARTS

Eugene’s major use of time and energy from 1813 to 1816 was in the youth congregation. In the diary he frequently recorded the events. Some of them give us a good insight into the joys and difficulties of this youth … Continue reading

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PRAYER, INSTRUCTION, GAMES

The restoration of the monarchy made it possible for the youth congregation to come out into the open. Here Eugene gives an idea of their activities on their days of meeting: We began today to profit from these advantages by … Continue reading

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THE YOUTH CONGREGATION HAD NO LONGER TO FEAR SUPPRESSION, NOR THE MEMBERS AND THEIR DIRECTOR PERSECUTION

During Eugene’s illness, Napoleon had been forced to abdicate and King Louis XVIII came to the throne. This event signalled the end of the persecution of the Church started during the French Revolution, and the end of the dangers they … Continue reading

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THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHO IS NEVER DEAF TO THE PRAYER OF THOSE WHO PLACE ALL THEIR TRUST IN HIM

A public act of thanksgiving for Eugene’s healing On May 3, feast of the Finding of the True Cross, I convoked all the congregants in the Madeleine Church to assist at the Mass I owed it them to say at … Continue reading

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