After our short pause, we return to the activities of Eugene and the Missionaries of Provence in 1819. We had just concluded reflecting on the writings on the mission preached in Barjols.<\/p>\n
To keep the momentum moving, the Missionaries usually tried to make a return visit to the place where they had preached. [See entry of 22 March 2011]<\/p>\n
In April 1819, Eugene and two Missionaries returned to Barjols for the religious activities connected with the return of mission.<\/p>\n
The reception given in Barjols, shows the effect that the Missionaries had had on the population \u2013 despite the opposition of the Mayor, who had tried to prevent the return of mission:<\/p>\n
\n… Such an act could not stop us and we set out. The enthusiasm of the whole grateful population must have been at times quite unpleasant to the small number of ill-wishers who had hatched this plot. M. Guigou [ed. Vicar General of Aix] had in the meantime written to the Prefect who excused himself on the pretext that he had never given such an order.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
It is marvellous to see what is happening in this region… If the vast field of the missions give us such great consolation, we have in return a lot of grief to put up with round about us.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 26 April 1819, O.W. VI n. 42<\/em><\/p>\n
This echoes the sentiment of Paul, who also reminded the people of Thessalonica of his ministry among them:<\/p>\n
Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.<\/em><\/p>\n
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.<\/em><\/p>\n
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0“They tell me a revival is only temporary; so is a bath, but it does you good.”<\/em><\/p>\n
Billy Sunday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After our short pause, we return to the activities of Eugene and the Missionaries of Provence in 1819. We had just concluded reflecting on the writings on the mission preached in Barjols. To keep the momentum moving, the Missionaries usually … Continue reading