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- LEAVEN OF THE BEATITUDES AT THE HEART OF THE WORLD (C 11)
- SO BE ALWAYS WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE (C 11)
- IN CALLING YOU TO THE CONGREGATION, GOD WISHED YOU TO USE THESE TALENTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE FAMILY (C11)
- ACT IN THIS NOT FOR THE SAKE OF HUMAN INTEREST, BUT FOR A MORE PERFECT AND HIGHER END (C 11)
- LIGHT SHINES AT ALL HOURS TO THE EYES OF THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING FIRST OF ALL THE KINGDOM OF GOD (C11)
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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on LEAVEN OF THE BEATITUDES AT THE HEART OF THE WORLD (C 11)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on SO BE ALWAYS WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE (C 11)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on IN CALLING YOU TO THE CONGREGATION, GOD WISHED YOU TO USE THESE TALENTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE FAMILY (C11)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on ACT IN THIS NOT FOR THE SAKE OF HUMAN INTEREST, BUT FOR A MORE PERFECT AND HIGHER END (C 11)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on BE BLESSED A THOUSAND TIMES FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO TO EXTEND THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND DESTROY THE EMPIRE OF THE DEVIL (C 11)
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Monthly Archives: February 2013
RESTORING HARMONY
To conclude this episode, which had threatened the existence of the Oblates, I would like to jump ahead by a year to let Leflon conclude the history for us. Finally, now that the internal situation had been cleared up, peace … Continue reading
A DRAMATIC GESTURE OF APPEASEMENT
The argument about the validity of vows apart, the toll of this conflict was heavy on Eugene and on the Oblates. Their very existence was being threatened by the Bishops wanting their priests to leave the Missionaries and return to … Continue reading
I WILL FAITHFULLY KEEP MY VOWS WHILE TRYING TO CONFORM MY EXTERIOR CONDUCT TO WHAT THE BISHOP PRESCRIBES IN ORDER NOT TO DISTURB THE PUBLIC ORDER.
As Eugene reflects on the conflict with the surrounding bishops regarding the status of the Oblates in their dioceses, it becomes the opportunity for him to clarify his thoughts of the meaning of their vows. Firstly he points out that … Continue reading
WE CAN ONLY BE DESTROYED IF WE ALLOW IT AND THAT WE WILL NEVER DO
It was far more important, however, to straighten out matters with Bishop de Bausset since the latter had planned to take more extreme measures. On October 22, 1823, the archbishop’s interview with Father Courtès, who had been delegated by the … Continue reading
HOW MANY RELIGIOUS BODIES HAVE BEGUN BY THUS ENGAGING THEMSELVES BEFORE THE FORMAL APPROBATION OF THE CHURCH!
The Archbishop of Aix, who changed his mind nearly as often as he changed his clothes, also decided to draw profit from the situation. Leflon gives us the picture: Forever changing with the tide and poorly disposed toward Father de … Continue reading
A COMMITMENT MADE TO GOD CANNOT BE LIGHTLY DISSOLVED
When the question of Deblieu and Maunier’s departure from the community came up, Eugene insisted that they had taken vows as Missionaries and could not walk away from this commitment to God. The advisers (doctors of Church law) of the … Continue reading
MAY WE HELP ONE ANOTHER MUTUALLY TO BEAR A MISFORTUNE WHICH IS COMMON TO US
Not everyone in Aix was happy about Eugene’s departure and there was a sense of loss and insecurity in the community caused by the absence of this strong personality. Marseille was also not the only diocese in the south of … Continue reading
Posted in LETTERS
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A CRISIS
The second part of 1823 was a nightmare for Eugene. Not only did his arrival and presence in Marseille lead to friction in certain quarters, but difficulties emerged in Aix en Provence as well. I will not launch into a … Continue reading
Posted in LETTERS
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A CHAPTER OF REGRETS AND SORROWS
From the moment that Eugene set foot in Marseille as the Vicar General of his uncle, he began to suffer. The diocese had been vacant for two decades, and so there was a lot of reform to be undertaken. This … Continue reading
I WILL ABANDON MY SOUL TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Finally, all the necessary documentation had been arranged and Fortune de Mazenod was ordained bishop in Paris on 6 July 1823. Writing to Tempier on the day before the event, Eugene said: This time I will use a right of … Continue reading