After the pause for Christmas, the daily reflections with Saint Eugene resume.<\/p>\n
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERVICE?<\/strong><\/p>\n Firstly, it is an invitation to come to know<\/strong> Eugene de Mazenod, a saint of the universal Church, in a deeper way thru his writings. My approach is chronological and so I aim at presenting the story of God at work in this man, especially as this is shown in his writings.<\/p>\n Secondly, it is a means of building up an internet database<\/strong> on the writings of Eugene. The reflections have been published for more than two-and-a-half years, and there are 777 entries to date. This means that by using the simple \u201csearch\u201d space on the right-hand side of the homepage of the site (www.eugenedemazenod.net), it is possible to research texts of Eugene on various themes.<\/p>\n WHERE ARE WE ON THE JOURNEY?<\/strong><\/p>\n We remember that in January 1816<\/strong>, the Missionaries of Provence (as the Oblates were known initially) came to live together in order to be missionaries to the groups of people in Provence who were not being touched by the structures of the local church.<\/p>\n We have followed the development and missionary activities of this growing group as they evolved from a group of diocesan priests living in community into a religious society bound by the vows<\/strong> of the evangelical counsels.<\/p>\n We have seen them expand from one community in Aix en Provence, to establish themselves in the Marian shrine of Notre Dame du Laus<\/strong> and in the shrine dedicated to the Cross at the Calvaire<\/strong> in Marseille. This expansion brought rich missionary fruits, but also stirred up a certain amount of hostility.<\/p>\n It was because of this opposition that it was essential to have a local bishop as its protector. The chance came in 1823 with the appointment of Eugene\u2019s uncle, Fortun\u00e9 de Mazenod, as Bishop of Marseille<\/strong>. The condition for this was that Eugene himself be his Vicar General.<\/p>\n Thus in 1823 Eugene left Aix and established himself in Marseille, where he was to remain for the next 38 years<\/strong>. From now the writings reflect his twofold responsibility: the guidance and direction of the expanding Missionary Oblates as Superior General, and the administration of the church in the second-largest city of France<\/p>\n As we journey with Saint Eugene each day this year, may it be an opportunity for every member of the Mazenodian family to appreciate our roots<\/strong> more deeply.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cA group without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Marcus Garvey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After the pause for Christmas, the daily reflections with Saint Eugene resume. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERVICE? Firstly, it is an invitation to come to know Eugene de Mazenod, a saint of the universal Church, in a deeper … Continue reading