Tag Archives: parish missions

PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE THE PRIESTS WERE CONVINCED OF GOD’S MERCY

Perhaps the greatest reason for the success of their confession ministry came because they followed the moral theology of St. Alphonsus Liguori that was founded on the loving and healing mercy of God. In a society imbued with Jansenism, the … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL ACCOMPANIMENT

The ministry of confessions during the missions also gave the opportunity for a certain amount of on-going individual accompaniment and direction. This was done by not always giving absolution the first time so as to give the penitent the opportunity … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: SUCCESS OF THE CONFESSION MINISTRY BECAUSE OF PRIESTS WITH A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK

The achievement of the ministry of confessions during the missions was obvious in every parish mission undertaken by the Oblates. Initially it was because of the situation caused by the French Revolution and its aftermath, and how this encounter filled … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE NEED FOR A SENSE OF REALISM IN THE MISSIONARY ZEAL OF THE MISSIONARIES

The pace set in the missions and the zeal and generosity of the missionaries took its toll on their health. As the years progressed, Eugene insisted on being more realistic in their use of energy. In 1850, for example, he … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE GIVEN TO THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The confessional was the privileged place of encounter and reconciliation between the penitent and Jesus the Saviour. It is thus not surprising that the missionaries dedicated every available moment to this ministry during their village missions. The pattern was set … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: WE ARE IN THE CONFESSIONALS ALL THE TIME WE ARE NOT IN THE PULPIT OR AT THE ALTAR

Once the confessions began, the missionaries spent most of their time in the confessional. But the fact remains that we are in the confessionals all the time we are not in the pulpit or at the altar, we scarcely give … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

References to the numerous confessions are to be found in all the plentiful accounts of the missions. Eugene’s conviction as a mission preacher was that: The ministry of the Word cannot be substituted for the sacrament of penance instituted by … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: PREACHING MUST LEAD TO A SACRAMENTAL ENCOUNTER IN CONFESSION

Everything in the mission aimed at bringing the villagers to living in relationship with Christ the Saviour. Preaching, processions, house visits and all other activities aimed at leading the people to this encounter, in a particular way through the sacraments … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: INVITING PRISONERS TO CONVERSION

With a predilection for those whom the structures of the Church were not touching, the missionaries reached out to various groups who needed a special focus or a particular message. A group of persons who fitted the category of “most … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: APPLYING THE GOSPEL TO SPECIFIC LIFE SITUATIONS

An example of how the missions aimed to bring to all groups to live the Gospel within the context of their particular life situations is found in the mission preached in 1849 in Manchester. The Oblates in England responded to … Continue reading

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