Monthly Archives: July 2010

THE ABANDONED YOUTH ARE TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE NO OTHER GOD THAN NAPOLEON

Posted on July 12, 2010 by franksantucci

Why did Eugene give himself so generously to the ministry of youth? Clearly because they were among the most abandoned of society in religious terms. These opening paragraphs of the Diary he wrote of his youth ministry, show their abandonment … Continue reading →

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A SIMPLE INSTRUCTION THAT GOD IN HIS GOODNESS SEES TO SEASONING

Posted on July 11, 2010 by franksantucci

Still in the letter to Forbin Janson where the young Father de Mazenod describes his early ministry, he speaks of what happened on Sunday evenings after he had finished ministering to the prisoners: From there I rush home, where is … Continue reading →

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WHAT HOPE FOR THE FUTURE!

Posted on July 10, 2010 by franksantucci

Continuing his narration of his early priestly ministry in Aix en Provence, Eugene told his friend, Father Forbin-Janson: “Next, I go twice a month to the seminary and try, by the example of my conduct, to bring no dishonour to … Continue reading →

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PRISONERS: GOD’S COMMANDMENT MUST TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ANY HUMAN CONSIDERATION

Posted on July 9, 2010 by franksantucci

Father Courtès had not given Communion to a prisoner condemned to death, and he received the anger and condemnation of Eugene for having been a weakling in the face of a pastoral need. You have made a very great mistake … Continue reading →

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I GAVE HIM COMMUNION DURING THE MASS I CELEBRATED IN THE SMALL PRISON CHAPEL

Posted on July 8, 2010 by franksantucci

In 1837 Bishop de Mazenod was in Gap and describes his ministry to a prisoner condemned to death. My liturgical function on Sunday was wonderful. I did not only administer Confirmation to the poor condemned man, but to sanction by … Continue reading →

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PRISON MINISTRY: ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ENDS OF OUR INSTITUTE IS TO HELP THE MOST NEGLECTED SOULS

Posted on July 7, 2010 by franksantucci

Eugene’s own experience as a young priest was assumed into the practice of the missionary Congregation he founded. The Rule that he wrote for its members could almost be seen as an autobiographical description of his own ministry. He writes: … Continue reading →

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THE MOST ABANDONED: A MIRACLE OF GRACE IN A PRISONER CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Posted on July 6, 2010 by franksantucci

In a letter of September 1813, Eugene’s spiritual director, Father Duclaux, encouraged him in his prison ministry by urging him to continue as he was doing because his approach would lead many to conversion, sorrow for their sins and repentance. … Continue reading →

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THE MOST ABANDONED: INSTRUCTING, COMFORTING AND ENCOURAGING PRISONERS

Posted on July 5, 2010 by franksantucci

The young Father Eugene was a fireball of energy during his first years of ministry. Apart from preaching to the people who spoke mostly Provencal, he gave importance to his ministry with the prisoners in Aix. Writing to his friend … Continue reading →

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WELCOME!

Posted on July 4, 2010 by franksantucci

This site  is a new adventure to make St Eugene de Mazenod more widely known. Its aim is to present the thought of Eugene by means of daily extracts from his writings with a brief introduction. The site is not … Continue reading →

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ONCE YOU ARE FREED FROM SIN, LIGHT WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE DEEP SHADOWS THAT REIGNED IN YOUR SOULS

Posted on July 4, 2010 by franksantucci

This is the conclusion of the sermon: a moving invitation to experience God’s love in the sacrament of confession. Having thundered at his listeners to make them aware of the seriousness of sin and provoke them to conversion, he now … Continue reading →

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