Monthly Archives: January 2024

“In the prolonged silent prayer we make each day, we let ourselves be molded by the Lord, and find in him the inspiration of our conduct” (OMI Rule of Life, 33). https://sites.google.com/view/mazenodianfamily/monthly-oraison/what-is-oraison/january-2024?authuser=0

What you must do is to insist with the Vicar Apostolic that he never separate you. You must not give way to contrary arguments that may be put to you. You must make it known that this would be in … Continue reading →

A former Oblate, Fr Reinaud, was working as a diocesan priest in Ceylon and had been instrumental in suggesting to the Bishop that the Oblates be invited to the island. He was an ambitious person and did not give good … Continue reading →

I have received your two letters, my dear Fr. Semeria, I would not say merely with great pleasure, but with a transport of joy. I was counting the days and the hours, and continually asking whether the boat had yet … Continue reading →

Father Leonard was completing his successful recruiting campaign in the French seminaries in search of missionaries to join the Oblates (see: https://www.eugenedemazenod.net/?p=5497 and related entries). Now he had another new mission field to speak about: Ceylon. I have received letters … Continue reading →

The excitement of the arrival of the first-ever steam locomotives in Provence, continued the day after the blessing. Six hundred people were invited to ride in the new train from Marseilles to Arles and back for a similar ceremony. Bishop … Continue reading →

The official version of the blessing of locomotives, quoted in the previous entry, was not fully correct. Only nine were blessed according to the narrative of the local “Sémaphore” newspaper: However, a small problem arose in the last minute, just … Continue reading →

The biographer, Rey, continues his description of Bishop Eugene’s historic blessing of the first railway station in Marseilles in 1847. The Bishop then blessed the water according to the Pontifical ritual, and said the prayers for the blessing of the … Continue reading →

Rey continues his description of the blessing of the railway: “Then, unfolding a rapid picture of the developments Marseille was destined to undergo through its trade on the Mediterranean and through the railroad “which will bring it into contact, as … Continue reading →

The railway line to Marseilles was completed and inaugurated in January 1848. It was an awe-filled experience for all as most people had never seen a steam locomotive before. Bishop Eugene, who had fought for this with the French Government … Continue reading →