Tag Archives: oblation

WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? IT INVITES LOVE TO RESPOND TO LOVE

Why say more? Could I ever express what I experienced then? Just the memory of it fills my heart with a sweet satisfaction… In words, he could not ever express what the experience did to him, but in action he … Continue reading

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SPIRITUALITY AS AN ONGOING ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST THAT LEADS TO ENCOUNTER WITH OTHERS

The foundation of all Christian spirituality is a relationship with Jesus Christ. In Eugene’s life there was no doubt about this as he passionately committed himself: You, you alone will be the only object to which will tend all my … Continue reading

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I HAVE ALL MY LIFE DESIRED TO DIE A VICTIM OF CHARITY

Eugene’s own experience of living “all for God” – oblation – made him sensitive to all manifestations of this in others. How proud he must be when he sees so many of his Oblate sons giving their lives in the … Continue reading

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MARIO BORZAGA, AN OBLATE SON OF ST. EUGENE TO BE BEATIFIED

We have just received the joyful news that Pope Francis has approved the beatification of another son of Saint Eugene, Father Mario Borzaga OMI and his lay catechist Paul Thoj Xyooj, killed in hatred of the faith in Laos in April … Continue reading

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WITH COMPASSION YOU CAN DIE FOR OTHER PEOPLE

An epidemic of smallpox had just broken out in Marseille, brought by a ship arriving from the Middle East. Eugene was at Laus at the time of writing. I would wish to be at Marseilles to arrange everything with the … Continue reading

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A MATURITY OF LOVE THAT FLOWERS IN SELF-SACRIFICE

The Oblates at the time of Eugene (and still today) were missionaries who wanted to spend all their time and energy evangelizing. None of them wanted to be in administration or formators of novices or scholastics. Father Guibert was a … Continue reading

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THE LAST IMPORTANT ACT OF THIS LIFE IN WHICH HE SEALED THE OFFERING OF HIS WHOLE BEING WHICH HE HAD MADE THROUGHOUT MANY YEARS

On the anniversary of Father Marcou’s death, Eugene’s reminiscences led him to recall his dedication and zeal in spite of his illness Fr. Marcou still had the strength to come back to Marseilles where I found him on my return … Continue reading

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TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER: A SPIRIT OF OBLATION TO CHANGE THE WORLD OF THE MOST ABANDONED

Eugene concludes his official narration of the events of our approbation with the exhortation to respond by making their own the words of Saint Paul: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Now, … Continue reading

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AN OBLATE SAVORING THE OBLATION OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST

On the difficult journey in Rome towards approbation of the Oblate congregation, it was Eugene’s intimacy with God that gave him the strength and blessings he needed. This was especially the case when he became one with Jesus in Communion … Continue reading

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LET ME LOVE YOU AS MUCH AS YOUR HOLY MOTHER LOVED AND LOVES YOU

Eugene became a priest as a response to his awareness of God’s indescribable love for him. Here, in his retreat in preparation for his priestly ordination he prays to be able to make his priestly ministry a response of total … Continue reading

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