Tag Archives: youth

ACCOMPANYING THE DYING

The young member of the Youth Congregation lingered for a month longer. During this time Eugene paid him frequent visits. Yvon Beaudoin comments: “During his first years of priesthood, Eugene accompanied to the moment of death the terminally ill who … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

LIKE A TENDER MOTHER SHE HAS NEGLECTED NOTHING TO HELP WITH ALL HER POWER THE DEAR SON WHOM SHE FORMED IN PIETY

Eugene regarded the Youth Congregation’s role in the life of its members as that of a mother. The Congregation existed to help the young men to develop in their humanity, to become Christians and to form them in the way … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

THE YOUTH CONGREGATION AIMS TO HELP THE MEMBERS TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER AND TO FORM BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP

Eugene ended the Ignatian Exercises in time for Christmas – a liturgical season that his diary seems to show as being primarily celebrated with the members of his Youth Congregation. Indeed, the Congregation was growing and this youth ministry was … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged | Leave a comment

LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED, FOR I NEED REFORMATION IN EVERYTHING

In Eugene’s assessment of the year he is hard on himself. He judges himself to have been out of balance in his dedication of time to others, and is aware that some of the weaknesses of his character became too … Continue reading

Posted in RETREAT NOTES | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A DAY OF PRAYER, INSTRUCTION AND GAMES

The Youth Congregation used to meet every Thursday and Sunday, but also on feast days. Here the Diary entry for Wednesday 2 November, All Souls Day, gives an idea of their activities of prayer, instruction and games. We gathered at … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | Leave a comment

THE GROWING YOUTH CONGREGATION DEDICATED TO MARY IMMACULATE

During the time of Napoleon, the formation of Christian youth sodalities was banned. Eugene’s gatherings with the youth were initially illegal and had to be disguised as a recreational youth group. With the end of the Napoleonic era, it was … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

TO STRENGTHEN EVER MORE THE GOOD THAT IS DONE IN THE CONGREGATION, HIS HOLINESS IS ASKED TO APPROVE IT

With the fall of Napoleon, Eugene was now able to openly form his youth association into what it really was: a sodality or congregation. In order to give it some authority, he wrote to the Pope asking for a formal … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | Leave a comment

THIRTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY OF BAPTISM

Eugene’s statement of the importance of his baptism anniversary was no exaggeration. Throughout his life he solemnly celebrated this anniversary of his life in Jesus Christ The Reverend Director reminded the congregants that the next day would be his birthday, … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | Leave a comment

BETTER SUITED TO DELINQUENCY ON THE STREETS THAN TO PROFITING FROM THE GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Not all was rosy in the youth congregation! Eugene aimed at gathering together young men who were capable of forming an élite group that would be a transforming force in the city. Anyone who was unable to be formed this … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged | Leave a comment

DEVOTION OF THE YOUTH TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Very Reverend Vicars General have authorized the Reverend Director to place and keep the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of the Congregation. This special favour that Our Lord has seen fit to extend to the congregants has been received … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | Leave a comment