Tag Archives: opposition

AN ANONYMOUS LETTER BACKFIRES

While Eugene was dealing with the Minister, an anonymous letter arrived from Aix denouncing him. The letter gives every indication of having been written by one of the priests of the city who was antagonistic to Eugene. He narrates: You … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment

YOU CAN TELL THE WHOLE CITY

The Minister still thought that Eugene was asking too much in wanting a direct approval from the King, but gave him a face-saving substitute. “The Minister could not obtain this Ordinance but replied by declaring, in his own name: “You … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | Leave a comment

APPEALING DIRECTLY TO THE MINISTER

Eugene travelled hurriedly to Paris, where he was to remain from July until November 1817. On his arrival he wrote to his community in Aix: I write only these two words, my dear and good brothers, to give you news … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

OUR HOUSE WILL FALL TO THE GROUND, THE WIND AND TIDE ARE AGAINST THE MISSIONARIES

The priests were furious with Eugene’s reply and the matter was to go much further and eventually to reach the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Paris. The problem was not the Youth Congregation, but the existence of the community of … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | Leave a comment

A CLASH OF PROVENCAL TEMPERS

Having survived the confirmation saga, Eugene faced another one regarding the first communion of some of his congregants a couple of months later. As always, he wrote to the pastors asking for their permission to proceed with the first communion … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A FIERY CONFIRMATION SERVICE

When the Church of the Mission opened its doors to the general public, then the anger of some of the pastors came to the fore. This was particularly the case of the pastors who were Gallican in approach and disliked … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | Leave a comment

I DEFEND MYSELF BY CONTINUING ALL THAT THE GOOD LORD WANTS ME TO DO IN SPITE OF THEM

The conflicts with some of the priests of Aix began in 1816, once the Missionaries of Provence had been established and they opened their church for public worship as from April 1816. As a church belonging to a community it … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | Leave a comment

OUR RESPONSE TO CRITICISM IS TO DO AS MUCH GOOD AS WE CAN

The ministry of the young Father de Mazenod in Aix from 1813 onwards and as founder of the Missionaries of Provence from 1816 onwards had repercussions on the local church. Some of the diocesan priests saw a conflict of interests … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment