Tag Archives: BE in order to DO

AIM AT LESS BRILLIANCE AND INSIST MORE ON SOUNDNESS FOR THE MISSIONARIES

The leader of one group of missionaries (Eugene) writes to the leader of another group of missionaries (Forbin Janson) and shares professional advice. The occasion is the preaching visit of Brother Hilaire from Janson’s institute, the Missionaries of France. Eugene … Continue reading

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THE COMMUNITY WHOM I LOVE TENDERLY IN THE LORD, OUR COMMON LOVE

As we have seen, Eugene’s time of enforced rest became the opportunity for a retreat and a time for reflection on the eventful events of the previous months. It was a grace-filled time because it allowed him to come to … Continue reading

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AN INVITATION TO RE-ESTABLISH HARMONY BETWEEN “BEING” AND “DOING”

From the first day of the coming together of the Missionaries, Eugene insisted on the quality of life of each member, and the importance of “being” men of Jesus Christ before their “doing” as men of action. They had to … Continue reading

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FINE TUNING HIS ATTITUDE TO MINISTRY: BE MORE ATTENTIVE TO GOD’S INNER VOICE

Continuing his retreat reflection, one sees here Eugene’s conviction that one has to “be” in order to “do.” In evaluating the good that has clearly emerged from his foundation of the youth congregation and that of the missionaries, he evaluates … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: WE FULFIL OUR MISSION IN AND THROUGH THE COMMUNITY TO WHICH WE BELONG

 Community is an integral part of Oblate mission. The group of missionaries who went to a village always formed a community that was governed by the same regulations and spirit as the permanent community they formed a part of. During … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: IN THE APOSTOLIC SCHOOL OF JESUS

The founding generation looked to the future in its vision-document: Those who present themselves for admission into the Society will be tested in a novitiate until they finish their studies or are judged fit for the work of the missions. … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: NOT A CLANGING CYMBAL WITH NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE TO OFFER

In their Rule, the missionaries note their desire to live a life of equilibrium that includes the importance of prayer and study so as not to be empty vessels with nothing to give when they are on mission:  If they … 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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VOCATION: THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF WINNING SOULS FOR GOD WITHOUT TAKING MUCH TROUBLE TO BE PERSONS OF INTERIOR LIFE, TRULY APOSTOLIC PERSONS

In the subsequent correspondence between Eugene and Tempier, one can see the growth of “one heart and one soul” between them, and their desire to be apostolic men with a strong interior life so as to be the most efficient … Continue reading

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VOCATION: FORM ONE HEART AND ONE SOUL

To form “one heart and one soul” is a concept dear to the heart of the Founder. As the size of the Congregation grew, so did he become increasingly insistent on this unity. For Eugene, his missionary family was the … Continue reading

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