Tag Archives: prayer

COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR, BUT THE TRIUMPH OVER IT

Continuing the narrative from Eugene’s diary on his school days in Turin, we read: In the interval between his first communion and his confirmation, namely, between Holy Thursday and Trinity 1792, Eugene gave fresh proof of the delicacy of his … Continue reading

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PRAYING THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS TOGETHER

During the early months of 1825 we find Eugene and the Oblates preoccupied with revising the Rule of Life that they had written seven years earlier. Their lived experience had led them to make some changes in the text that … Continue reading

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OUR LIFE IN ALL ITS DIMENSIONS IS A PRAYER

Eugene concludes his retreat by drawing up a daily program for himself. He does this to be in communion with the Aix Oblate community, but it is the basic program of life and prayer that he followed throughout his life. … Continue reading

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

During his retreat Eugene recalls that community was one of the non-negotiable constitutive elements of the Oblate vocation and way of life. He was living in community with Henri Tempier in Marseille, but the point of reference was always the … Continue reading

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LET ME SEE MYSELF AS YOU SEE ME

Eugene wants his retreat to be a time of honest evaluation and conversion. He prays: Lord, make a ray of your heavenly light shine on me so that I may see myself as you see me; inspire my soul with … Continue reading

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I MUST GAIN SALVATION BY CONTINUING TO BUSY MYSELF WITH OTHERS

After our prolonged break for Easter, we resume our journey through the writings of Saint Eugene. The year is 1824. Nearly a year after being appointed Vicar General of Marseille diocese, he managed to get away for a few days … Continue reading

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USE ALL THE MEANS AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO

Throughout his life Eugene insisted on correct and meaningful celebrations of the liturgy. In his own case he used the liturgical texts as a basis for his prayer in the retreats he made in preparation for receiving the sacrament of … Continue reading

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I WILL ABANDON MY SOUL TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Finally, all the necessary documentation had been arranged and Fortune de Mazenod was ordained bishop in Paris on 6 July 1823. Writing to Tempier on the day before the event, Eugene said: This time I will use a right of … Continue reading

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WHERE RULES HIS LOVING HEART, THERE LET US MEET

Eugene was a “heart” person who was intuitive and expressed and acted on his intuitions. As soon as he had met Joseph Guibert, he reflected that “it seemed to me to have found again something of myself” – he recognized … Continue reading

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TAKE CARE OF ME IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Writing to his mother during the demanding parish mission in Brignoles, Eugene reminds her of his need to be supported in prayer by her. He needs to be taken care of by her in the presence of God. But, even … Continue reading

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