Tag Archives: foundation of OMI

SOME ARE DRAWN TO ANSWER THE CALL OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH THE JOY AND GENEROSITY OF OUR LIVES

Once Madame Gontier and her girls had vacated the premises, the whole Carmelite convent building was available for the Missionaries. With many rooms available it was now possible to accommodate others. Eugene had begun his Youth Congregation three years earlier, … Continue reading

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THANKS TO THE GRACE OF GOD, THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE SMALL GROUP BEGINS TO TAKE A MORE DEFINITE SHAPE

Leflon tells us that on 13 May 1816, “Madame Gontier surrendered the use of the entire Carmelite house to Father de Mazenod, in exchange for a financial consideration, since her boarding school was in bad straits.” (Volume 2, p. 44). … Continue reading

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ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI: A MODEL FOR THE DISCERNMENT OF THE DEVELOPING MISSIONARY COMMUNITY

The year 1816 was marked by the newly-founded community’s development of the understanding of their vocation and how to live it out in response to the needs of Provence. One of the guiding figures for Eugene in this process was … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: IN THE UNFOLDING WILL OF GOD

 In this important document to of 25 January 1816 that we have been reflecting on, we see the seeds of all the major areas of growth that Eugene was to nurture till his last day of life, and which still … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: FOR THE CHURCH

Three more prescriptions of a legal nature follow in the first Rule regarding relations with the Bishops, and then the final paragraph states:  Vicars General and Gentlemen: Such is a comprehensive outline of the regulations that the undersigned priests present … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: WHAT’S IN IT FOR HIM?

Having outlined the major points of their vision statement, they continue: The undersigned priests: … -and wishing to accomplish it in a manner as useful to themselves as it is advantageous for the people whom they propose to evangelize… Request … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: CALLED AND CONSECRATED FOR A TOUGH MINISTRY

 The missionaries make it clear that they did not come together only to DO a most necessary ministry merely as a workforce, but that they answer a call from God which demands a response of consecration. It is a call … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: THE ORDINARY MEANS OF THE CHURCH STRUCTURES ARE INSUFFICIENT AND EVEN USELESS

“Deeply moved” by the situation of the abandoned people, the Missionaries of Provence continued explaining their vision: The undersigned priests: … -knowing from experience that the callousness or indifference of these people renders the ordinary help supplied by your concern … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: DEEPLY MOVED BY THE SUFFERING OF ABANDONED PERSONS

 The letter written to the Diocesan authorities on 25 January 1816 is a foundational document for us who live according to the spirit and charism of Saint Eugene. In the days that follow I will explore various aspects of this … Continue reading

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THE FOUNDING VISION: OUR FIRST RULE

The first Missionaries of Provence produced a request for authorization that they addressed to the Aix diocesan authorities. We can see this document as the statement of the founding vision of what today we refer to as the larger Mazenodian … Continue reading

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