Tag Archives: will of God

DRAWN INTO THE DIVINE ADVENTURE   

Convinced that his vocation to respond to the Savior’s love as a priest came from God, Eugene now had to convince his unimpressed mother that he had no choice but to obey. He wrote to her: to communicate to you … Continue reading

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CEASE TO OBSTRUCT GOD’S PLANS FOR YOU

The confused Riccardi had left the Oblate novitiate and then come to his senses. Eugene decided to give him another chance and to encourage the obvious good that he saw in this young man. After yielding to a scarcely credible … Continue reading

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THE 1826 GENERAL CHAPTER: NO DOUBT THAT THE EXISTENCE AND APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES WAS THE WORK OF GOD.

On his return to Marseilles, Eugene convoked an Extraordinary General Chapter from July 10-13, 1826. In his opening address he recalled the events leading up to the papal approbation and dwelt on their significance. Just as he had always been … Continue reading

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WHEN WE HAVE EMPLOYED ALL THE HUMAN MEANS IN OUR POWER, WE OUGHT TO REMAIN AT PEACE AND BE WORRIED ABOUT NOTHING

As we have seen above, Eugene was critical of some of the methods of M. Favre’s missionary group, but he remained open to cooperating with the will of God when necessary. I wished to share these observations with you before … Continue reading

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BEING OPEN TO DISCOVERING THE WILL OF GOD IN PRACTICAL TERMS

A second group which showed interest in joining the Oblates was a small missionary group around a Father Favre. Eugene delayed his return to Aix and Marseille so as to meet with him. A man who is remarkable for his … Continue reading

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THE APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES: MAY WE LEARN TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES

Reflecting on the meaning of the approbation for us, Eugene reviews the whole process and sees the work of God at every step. In this long extract from this important letter to the Oblates, Eugene summarizes the events which led … Continue reading

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THE APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES: THE GUARANTEE THAT OUR RULE OF LIFE IS GOD’S WILL FOR US

Now that the Church had approved our existence and our Constitutions and Rules, they no longer belong to us, but to the Church who commissions us to live our lives in accordance with them. Eugene was now able to make … Continue reading

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THE APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES: A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF OUR RULE OF LIFE

Responding to the good news of the papal approbation, Eugene reflected with all the Oblates in France on the significance of this event. The conclusion to be drawn from this, my dear friends and good brothers, is: we must work, … Continue reading

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DISCERNING THE WILL OF GOD THRU CONSULTING OUTSIDE OPINIONS

I admit, my dear good Guibert, your letter had deeply affected me… How could you wish, my dear friend, that it be otherwise, persuaded as I am that the good God has given you to us in answer to our … Continue reading

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REMEMBER THAT AFTER GOD YOU ARE MY GUIDE AND RIGHT ARM

The nomination of Fortuné de Mazenod as Bishop of Marseille, in January 1823, meant that he had to go to Paris immediately to fulfill the necessary ecclesiastical and civil processes required by this appointment. Eugene accompanied him on this journey, … Continue reading

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