Monthly Archives: August 2010

WE WOULD ABANDON THEM IF WE JOINED YOU BECAUSE WE ALONE, AND NOT YOU, CAN HELP THEM

What touched the heart of Eugene and made him respond was the plight of people in Provence who were not being adequately catered for by the normal ministry of the local church. Now, you will perhaps ask why, since I … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY COMMUNITY “ONLY EXISTS IN MY HEAD”

It now becomes clear that Eugene has thought deeply about founding a group of mission preachers in Provence. He understands that the appalling condition of the people calls him to a response, and he begins to look at practical side … Continue reading

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TO GO OFF AND BURY MYSELF IN SOME WELL REGULATED COMMUNITY

Eugene continues to reflect on his process of discerning God’s will for him as he recuperates from his near-fatal illness. His desire to be “all for God” draws him to a monastic existence. Yet, he is living the “all for … Continue reading

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IF IT IS GOD’S WILL I WILL LEAVE TOMORROW FOR THE MOON IF I HAVE TO

A month earlier, Eugene had received an offer to join his priest friend, Forbin Janson, in an association of priests to restore the ravaged Church in France by means of preaching parish missions. This letter shows that the seed of … Continue reading

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IN THE END, THOUGH WITH SADNESS, I GO MY WAY, PLACING MY TRUST IN GOD ALONE

Struggling to regain his health, Eugene gives his friend, Forbin Janson, an idea of how many demands are made on him. We glimpse his tiredness and his need for intimacy as he experienced a sense of feeling alone in the … Continue reading

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I YEARN SOMETIMES FOR SOLITUDE

1814 had not only been the year of political change in France, it also was the year when Eugene had been on the point of death. His serious illness had left him weak, and in this letter he shows something … Continue reading

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UP TO NOW AND FOR A LONG TIME I AM EVERYONE’S SERVANT AND AT THE DISPOSITION OF THE FIRST-COMER

After Napoleon’s departure, things were changing in France and the Pope had asked for mission preaching to be used in order to restore the state of the ravaged French Church. Eugene’s friend Charles Forbin Janson responded immediately by starting a … 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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