Tag Archives: poor

PARISH MISSIONS: EMPLOY YOUR ZEAL IN FAVOUR OF THE POOR ABANDONED MOUNTAIN PEOPLE RATHER THAN WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THE PROUD CITIZENS OF DISDAINFUL CITIES

They “will devote themselves to providing spiritual assistance for the poor people scattered over the country districts, and for the inhabitants of the small rural villages deprived of spiritual help.” 1818 Rule, Chapter 1, §1 article 1 Between 1816 and … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF JESUS CHRIST HEARD WITHIN THE CHURCH THROUGH PEOPLE’S NEED FOR SALVATION

 The missionaries did not go out as freelance agents to do their own thing. Their missionary activity was as part of the thrust of the local church and it was done in communion with the Church. In a tangible way, … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: THE ALL OR NOTHING OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

 The undersigned priests … -have the honour of requesting from you the authorization to come together at Aix in the old house of the Carmelites which one of them has acquired; and to live there in community under a Rule … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: DARING TO USE SHOCK TREATMENT

In the pitiful religious state in which the people of Provence found themselves, the ordinary means provided by the Church structures were not enough. The people had been at the mercy of various currents of thought over the past 27 … 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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VOCATION: THROUGH THE EYES OF THE CRUCIFIED SAVIOUR LOOK AT THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU

Henri Tempier is invited to look at the religious situation of the poorer people in Provence through the eyes of the Crucified Saviour. It is an invitation to feel from the depth of his heart their experience of not having … Continue reading

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WE WOULD ABANDON THEM IF WE JOINED YOU BECAUSE WE ALONE, AND NOT YOU, CAN HELP THEM

What touched the heart of Eugene and made him respond was the plight of people in Provence who were not being adequately catered for by the normal ministry of the local church. Now, you will perhaps ask why, since I … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY COMMUNITY “ONLY EXISTS IN MY HEAD”

It now becomes clear that Eugene has thought deeply about founding a group of mission preachers in Provence. He understands that the appalling condition of the people calls him to a response, and he begins to look at practical side … Continue reading

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