Tag Archives: parish missions

PARISH MISSIONS: ENSURING ON-GOING STRUCTURES FOR EVERYDAY LIFE AFTER THE MISSION

Once the euphoria of the mission was over and people returned to their ordinary everyday occupations, the danger existed that all that had been achieved would gradually be forgotten. The fact that the parish priest had been involved in the … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SINGING

The final section of the prayer and hymn book consisted of hymns in the Provençal language. They dealt with each of the major themes of the mission and taught the Creed, the commandments of God, of the Church, and many … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE HYMN AND PRAYER BOOK AS AN INSTRUMENT TO REINFORCE THE FRUITS OF THE MISSION

The Missionaries of Provence compiled a hymnbook for use during their missions, and as an instrument to help the people after the mission. The first edition was published in 1818, and it was revised and enlarged regularly in succeeding years. … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: ERECTION OF THE MISSION CROSS IN MARSEILLE

The historian, Robert’s description of the mission cross being brought to Marseilles, at the conclusion of the 1820 mission, by Eugene in a fleet of boats from the sea adds an unusual touch to the ceremony: We saw this magnificent … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: ERECTION OF THE MISSION CROSS

The ceremony was well prepared to be as spectacular as possible so as to appeal to the people and to ensure that this act of homage to Jesus the Saviour made an unforgettable impression on them. Those honoured to carry … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE “CONVERSION” OF THE MAYOR

The Mayor of Marignane had been rather cold towards the Missionaries on their arrival. Yet he warmed to the mission as it progressed, and Eugene was able to note as the end of the mission approached: While we are on … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: PREPARATIONS FOR THE CLOSURE OF THE MISSION

The mission ended with a ceremony in which a Cross was erected in a prominent place in the village as an on-going reminder of the mission – and as an incentive to prolong its effects. From the beginning of the … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: CONFESSIONS – I REASSURED THIS GOOD MAN AND SENT HIM AWAY HAPPY

Forty one years later Eugene recounts an incident during the mission in Grans that gives an indication of the approach of the missionaries to people: A man who had been to me to confession and who, like all the others, … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: EUGENE REMEMBERS SOME OF THE FRUITS OF THEIR FIRST MISSION

Reminiscing, some forty years later, Eugene recalls the first mission preached in Grans: If, in order not to leave anything out, I had to write an account of that first mission given in Grans I fear that I would diminish … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE IT WAS DONE UNDER THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

It was always Christ the Saviour who was the focal point for Eugene and the missionaries, as was underlined by their use of their Oblate crucifix in confession that they placed in the hands of the penitent. It is useful … Continue reading

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