Monthly Archives: July 2024

The father of the Oblate family recalled with emotion his 27 years of association with the newly-orained Bishop Bruno Guigues since his admission to the novitiate in 1821. Oh, how I would have pressed you to my heart, my dear … Continue reading →

Bruno Eugene Guigues was consecrated as the first bishop of Bytown (later Ottawa) in July 1848. It is upon descending from the altar, very dear son, brother and friend, where I have just offered the Holy Sacrifice in union with … Continue reading →

Continuing his fatherly letter to Fr. Henri Faraud, he asks for his news and establishes a tradition that he expected each Oblate in the foreign missions to follow faithfully: to write a letter to him every six months. Why then, … Continue reading →

My dear Fr. Faraud, there is a father beyond the great lake whom you must not forget; know that you are always present to him, whatever the distance which separates you from him, not only at the holy altar where … Continue reading →

The Oblates had been in Canada for 7 years and were zealous in responding to the challenges of preaching the Gospel to as many people as possible. This meant that they were not living a regular community lifestyle as they … Continue reading →

The foreign missions were a challenge for Eugene. The Oblates who went to Canada and Ceylon were very young and had not received sufficient years of human and missionary formation and needed guidance. Letters from Marseilles took months to reach … Continue reading →

Writing to Fr Augustin Gaudet in Canada, who was 26 and had been ordained a couple of days before setting out for his mission, Eugene exclaimed: I am so glad to see that you are happy. I conclude from this … Continue reading →

Bishop de Mazenod was a busy man who took care of the Oblate Congregation at the same time as the Diocese of Marseilles. In between his many activities he attempted to write letters to the Oblates. My dear Fr. Semeria, … Continue reading →