Tag Archives: youth

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

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE STRUGGLE TO COMMUNICATE THE VALUE OF CHASTITY TO THE GIRLS OF THE VILLAGES

The missionaries wanted to make a difference to the lives of those attending the mission by helping them to live every aspect of their lives in the light of the Gospel. Today’s text looks at their concern for the girls … Continue reading

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COMMUNION IN DEATH

The moment that the members of the Youth Congregation became aware of the death of one of its members, they each had a responsibility to accompany him in prayer. ART. 55. The Prefect informs all members of the Congregation. The … Continue reading

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THE JOY EXPERIENCED BY THE PREACHER IN BEING AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD FOR OTHERS

Concluding the narrative of the blessing and opening of the chapel for the youth, Eugene tells how he preached, and was happy to see that his words bore fruit. As preacher, Eugene understood himself as being an instrument through whom … Continue reading

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THE YOUTH CONGREGATION BECOMES THE FIRST TO USE THE MISSION HOUSE IN AIX EN PROVENCE

We continue the narrative of the beginnings of the house in Aix en Provence – the place of birth of so many important aspects of our charism. The youth were the first to make use of the building. Thus the … Continue reading

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FUND-RAISING: DREAMS CANNOT MATERIALIZE WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF THOSE INVOLVED

 The poor state of the church necessitated expenditure to make it usable. Initially it was the choir – the internal chapel once used by the Carmelite sisters – that needed repair, and thereafter the church itself. The very first group … Continue reading

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FROM THE DEPTH OF HIS SOLITUDE, AND IN THE SILENCE OF THE NIGHT, HE WILL WATCH OVER THE MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH CONGREGATION

Brother Maur was a monk at a Trappist monastery near Paris. When Napoleon expelled the monks from their monastery in 1811, Brother Maur needed to earn a living and so was engaged by Eugene as a domestic first in Paris … Continue reading

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THE ADVICE I AM GIVING IS NOT DIFFICULT, BUT EVEN IF YOU FIND IT HARD TO FOLLOW, I THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE THE EFFORT

The 14 year-old Léon-Jules Saboulin, member of Eugene’s Youth Congregation, had written to Eugene, in September  1815, from where he had been spending the long summer away from Aix.   The extract of the letter is interesting because it shows the … Continue reading

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THE SUCCESS OF THE CONGREGANTS IS A PROOF THAT THE PIETY THEY PROFESS, FAR FROM HARMING THE PROGRESS OF THEIR STUDIES, HELPS THEM TO FULFIL ALL THEIR DUTIES WELL

Following the writings of Eugene in chronological order brings us today to the prize-giving ceremony at the college where many of the members of the youth congregation were studying. Eugene’s fatherly pride in the achievements of “his” youth shines through … Continue reading

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THE YOUTH CONGREGATION: A FAMILY UNITED IN LIFE AND IN DEATH

Eugene’s description of the funeral of the 13 year-old member of the Youth Congregation, shows how it was its members who took responsibility for the funeral and for praying in a serious manner for the deceased in the days after … Continue reading

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