Tag Archives: foundation of OMI

WHAT HAPPENED ON 25 JANUARY 1816 – FINALIZING THEIR “VISION STATEMENT”

 What did the newly-formed group of Missionaries do on 25 January 1816? A few weeks’ before, Eugene had written to Henri Tempier about his program for this day: At this meeting we will draw up the Rule which we will … Continue reading

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WHO WERE THE FIRST MISSIONARIES OF PROVENCE?

 The first activity of the newly-formed Missionary group was to write a request of authorization to the diocesan authorities.  The undersigned priests: … -have the honour of requesting from you the authorization to come together at Aix in the old … Continue reading

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25 JANUARY 1816: RECALLING THE FOUNDING STORY

The all-important first day of community life for the Missionaries was obviously a story often repeated in all its details. In his Memoires, Father Tempier, described it as: “This memorable day that I will never forget for as long as I … Continue reading

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25 JANUARY 1816: THE FIRST DAY OF COMMUNITY LIFE!

 25 January 1816 marked the first day of community life for the Missionaries, with the arrival of the first three members. Eugene had bought some of the Carmelite Convent, with an arrangement that the seller, Madame Gontier, could continue using … 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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FUND-RAISING: DREAMS NEED BENEFACTORS IN ORDER TO BECOME REALITY

 The foundation of the Missionaries involved considerable expense. A Prospectus for the Missions was produced in which an appeal was made for benefactors to participate financially in the evangelizing activities of the Missionaries by subscribing towards the expenses of setting … Continue reading

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IF I HAD FORESEEN ALL THE TROUBLE, WORRY, ANXIETY AND CONFUSION THIS ESTABLISHMENT WOULD THROW ME INTO, I BELIEVE I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD THE ZEAL TO UNDERTAKE IT

Having spoken about the dilapidated state of the church, where the rain poured in as much inside as outside, Eugene refers to the sad history of the uses of the former church of the Carmelite Sisters in its recent history. … Continue reading

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WHAT IF THE CARMELITES WANT THEIR CHURCH BUILDING RETURNED TO THEM?

 The recent extracts from Eugene’s writings dealt with bringing together the missionaries necessary for his project. During this time he was being kept busy with the material concerns of the building that he had just bought. He was exhausted in … Continue reading

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THE HUMAN FACE OF THOSE INVITED TO JOIN EUGENE IN REALIZING HIS DREAM

Not all approached by Eugene had the same sentiments as Henri Tempier. In this letter to his friend, Forbin Janson, Eugene gives vent to his feelings in a frank, and rather humorous, description of the reactions of some of his … Continue reading

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