Tag Archives: parish missions

PARISH MISSIONS: REFOCUSING ON THE BASICS

The ceremonies and symbolic gestures of the missions have been referred to as “doctrine in action” (Sevrin). For the people of the villages all this was new either in contents or in presentation. The people were either not used to … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: MOTIVATING PEOPLE THROUGH SYMBOLIC ACTIONS

During the missions all the ceremonies were an extension of the preaching, and had the same goal. Every means of instructing and leading people to experiencing the Saviour, and converting, was improvised and tried out. Symbolic actions and processions were … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD AS A CALL TO CONVERSION

Another ceremony with the intention of making an impression  and leading people to conversion to Christ the Saviour was that centred on the dead. Eugene described this in the Diary of the Marignane Mission: Solemn service for the dead of … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: IN THE PENITENTIAL PROCESSION THE SUPERIOR TAKES ON HIMSELF THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE, IN IMITATION OF JESUS CHRIST. WHOM HE REPRESENTS IN THEIR MIDST

Eugene had understood the power of the Cross from the time of his youth, and was therefore able to lead others to open themselves to the same experience of the healing power of the Saviour. For him it was essential … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE PENITENTIAL PROCESSION AIMED AT EVOKING HEARTFELT SENTIMENTS OF CONVERSION

Eugene continued his description of the ceremony and procession with true Provençal feeling: The procession traversed the village streets, which were flooded with water, mud and dung; but it seems that by trampling the filth underfoot, there were released the … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: A DRAMATIC GESTURE TO CONVEY A DRAMATIC MESSAGE

Eugene describes what he did in Marignane in a prayer service based on the Jewish Day of Atonement ceremony of Leviticus 16 involving the scapegoat of atonement. The aim of the missioanries was to illustrate the power of what Jesus did … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE NEED TO DISCERN AND TO THOROUGHLY PREPARE CREATIVE AND NEW APPROACHES IN EVANGELIZATION

An extremely dramatic event that took place during every mission was the penitential procession that focussed directly and tangibly on the effects of Christ the Saviour’s Cross as taking away the burden of sin. In the Diary of the Marignane … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: CEREMONIES TO REINFORCE THE PREACHED MESSAGE AND TO APPEAL TO THE SENSES

What was begun through preaching in the pulpit in words was now confirmed and supplemented through dramatic actions which appealed to all the senses and made an unforgettable impression on the people. For this reason Eugene was emphatic that these … Continue reading

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EUGENE AS MISSION PREACHER: AS A SPEAKER HE WAS LOVED, SOUGHT AFTER, APPLAUDED

Adolphe Tavernier, who had known Eugene throughout his life, wrote about the gifted preacher that Eugene was known to be: Before numerous gatherings, in the churches of large cities, Paris, Marseilles, Aix and others, in small towns and villages, during … Continue reading

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EUGENE AS MISSION PREACHER: THE STRONG IMPRESSION THAT HE MADE ON HIS LISTENERS

 Leflon continues to describe the impression Eugene made as a preacher:  Everything about the young priest combined to make a strong impression. His stature, his grand manner, his flashing dark and deep-set eyes, the rich resonance of his voice, at … Continue reading

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