Tag Archives: superior

A GLIMPSE INTO EUGENE’S EVERYDAY CONCERNS

Twelve years after the founding of the Oblates, this letter from Eugene to his sister touches on all the major areas of his everyday life in Marseille. As a son and brother he writes to his family to invite them … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A REPRIMAND AND A HUG

Having corrected Fr Courtès above, the conclusion of this letter is typical of Eugene’s style. When he had to reprimand an Oblate, he would do it directly and did not pull his punches. Then he would be aware of a … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF STEERING THE SHIP PROPERLY, YOU MUST ALSO SHOW ME YOUR CHART

Writing to Father Courtès about the behavior one of the members of his community: I am sending to you, my dear Fr. Courtès, the letter for Fr. Sumien that I had no time to write yesterday. I perceive on rereading … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

ALLOW SICKNESS TO BE A SOURCE OF HOLINESS

One of Eugene’s constant concerns for his men was their health. They were so zealous as missionaries that they often sacrificed good sense when it came to looking after their physical wellbeing. He reminds the community superiors of their responsibility … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

THE SUPERIOR GENERAL OFFERS MASS FOR HIS CONGREGATION EVERY DAY

En route back to France Eugene shares the blessings of what has happened in Rome with Fr. Honorat – and points out the responsibilities which the papal approbation places on the Oblates. Oh! how many things we will not have … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

PAPAL APPROBATION: RECOGNIZING OUR SUPERIOR GENERAL AS OUR SPECIAL STRENGTH AND SUPPORT

POPE LEO XII FOR FUTURE REMEMBRANCE OF THE MATTER  Finally, since the exercise of supreme authority in this Congregation serves as its special strength and support and since also from its very beginning, and in conformity with its Rules, this … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A COMMUNITY LEADER KNOWS, GOES AND SHOWS THE WAY

By the end of 1825 the Oblates consisted of 22 fully professed members (15 priests and 7 scholastics) and had communities in Aix en Provence, Notre Dame du Laus, Marseille and Nimes. An expanding mission needed sufficient personnel to support … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

GUIDING THE OBLATES THROUGH THE LOCAL SUPERIORS

As the centers of mission increased and developed, Eugene took particular care to communicate regularly with the superiors so as to ensure that everything was done in uniformity with the spirit of the Congregation, and for the good of its … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

LIGHTENING THE BURDENS OF THE LEADER THRU PRAYER

As we are seeing, the demanding ministry of the Missionaries was bearing a lot of fruit, but was at the same time the source of abundant criticism and opposition. It was Eugene, as the superior of this group, who carried … Continue reading

Posted in WRITINGS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

AS LONG AS I AM THE SUPERIOR, IT IS I WHO MUST GIVE THE GUIDANCE

In this letter we see Eugene continuing his efforts to establish and maintain a spirit of unity among the three communities of Missionaries. He was away preaching long parish missions, and so he wrote to Hippolyte Courtès who was the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment