Eugene and some of the Missionaries were fully involved in the seven-week long parish mission at La Ciotat. Some extracts from the few letters he had time to write to the people closest to him give us some glimpses of the mission.<\/p>\n
To his mother, who constantly worried about his health and physical welfare he wrote:<\/p>\n
\nYou would probably be unhappy, dear Mother, if I did not give you some news about myself. So, I am writing a few lines to say that we arrived safely, in marvelous health. We are very pleased with the beginning of our mission. Continue to pray that some good is done and that everyone may profit from such a precious grace as that which is now offered to the inhabitants of this city. As I must treat you as a mother, I won\u2019t forget to tell you that we are eating excellent fish here and are lacking nothing for our bodily needs.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to his mother, 6 November 1821, EO XIII n 40<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0May this dear friend be pleased by this short note that I am writing him in the midst of combat, on the battlefield, still armed with every weapon against hell against which we are powerfully striking, with God\u2019s help.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Adolphe Tavernier, November- December 1821, EO XIII n 41<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0According to the last census, there are 398 widows and 97 widowers only. Youths are almost in the same proportion… The fishermen are delighted with the proposal I made to them to go and plant a cross expressly for them on a neighbouring island where they hang their nets to dry. If the weather continues to be as fine as it has not ceased to be since our arrival here, this excursion on the sea will be splendid.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Courtes, 28 November 1821, EO VI n 77<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0We have finished the mission of La Ciotat, one of the most tiring we have done. I am giving you no details: the blessings have been abundant but we were four confessors less than were needed, which is a very great misfortune. The Archbishop came to give Confirmation and took part in the erecting of the cross which was magnificent. The weather only ceased to be fine when we no longer needed its help.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 28 December 1821, EO VI n 79<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“We have all known the long loneliness, and we have found that the answer is community.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Dorothy Day<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene and some of the Missionaries were fully involved in the seven-week long parish mission at La Ciotat. Some extracts from the few letters he had time to write to the people closest to him give us some glimpses of … Continue reading