Tag Archives: parish missions

EVANGELIZING POOR PEOPLE OF THE RURAL AREAS RATHER THAN CITY DWELLERS

The time of enforced rest for Eugene was a time of blessing not only for him but for the future of the Missionaries as well. Being forced to stop and reflect, he was given the opportunity to clarify important issues … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 3 Comments

LIFE IN AIX AS PERMANENT MISSION

Once the mission was over in Grans, Eugene and the missionaries returned to Aix in March 1816. Forty years later Eugene reminisces about the activities of our first community: [Fr. Tempier had remained in Aix during the mission in Grans] … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | Leave a comment

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE UNITED WITH THOSE OUT ON MISSION

“We fulfill our mission in and through the community to which we belong” (Oblate Rule of Life, Constitution 37). While one part of the community was out evangelizing, the other part was supporting the mission through prayer and unity of … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SHARING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE FIRST MISSION

Henri Tempier, Eugene’s main support in the foundation of the Missionaries of Provence, did not actively participate in the mission to Grans, because one of the group had to stay behind to look after the youth congregation and direct their … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

PARISH MISSIONS EVALUATION: WHAT BEAUTIFUL DAYS THE CONCLUDING CEREMONIES OF MISSIONS ARE FOR A PASTOR!

Courtès, intimately involved with the Founder from the beginning, is quoted as saying nostalgically that the missions of their first times together as Missionaries were never surpassed. (H. Courtès, Mémoires, quoted in RAMBERT, Volume I, p. 228) It was the … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged | 1 Comment

PARISH MISSIONS EVALUATION: THE MIRACLES WORKED THROUGH OUR MINISTRY

We have been specially founded for the conversion of souls and God has shown us over the period of years we have been proclaiming his mercies to sinners that he is ready to work miracles through our ministry. It is … Continue reading

Posted in RETREAT NOTES | Tagged | Leave a comment

PARISH MISSIONS EVALUATION: MARVELS ARE TAKING PLACE EVERYWHERE

The writings of the missionaries indicate that some of their missions were not a total success, yet the overwhelming majority were presented in superlatives as successes of God’s grace. The letters I receive from our various missions ‑ we are … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | Leave a comment

PARISH MISSIONS: THE RETURN VISIT TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE MISSION

Once the missionaries had left the village they tried to return after a while to stoke up the fires of enthusiasm once again: The missionaries will return to the place where they gave a mission four or five months later … Continue reading

Posted in RULE, WRITINGS | Tagged | Leave a comment

PARISH MISSIONS: ENSURING ON-GOING STRUCTURES FOR AN ISSUE OF JUSTICE

The concern of the missionaries to prolong the effects of the mission in everyday life was shown in the committees set up to mediate on disputes caused by the acquisition of national property. Prior to the Revolution the majority of … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY, WRITINGS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

PARISH MISSIONS: ENSURING ON-GOING STRUCTURES FOR SOLVING PRACTICAL ISSUES

To ensure ongoing harmony in relationships in the villages the missionaries established the “peace offices.” Thus during the mission at Barjols, for example, we find Eugene saying: People are publicly and spontaneously reconciled at the foot of the cross. It … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS, WRITINGS | Tagged , | 1 Comment