After Eugene\u2019s death a General Chapter of the Oblates was convoked in 1861. At the opening session two of the senior members of the Congregation spoke: Father Tempier and Bishop Guibert.<\/p>\n
Father Tempier opened the General Chapter by declaring his conviction regarding Eugene:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Venerable Man is no longer with us, but his spirit continues to live always in the heart of his children \u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Bishop Guibert\u2019s address echoed the same sentiments, speaking of the Oblate Congregation as our \u201cmother\u201d:<\/p>\n \u201cYes, our Father has died, but know that our Mother remains; and I regard her as being immortal; she will live by the spirit of her Founder.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Joseph Fabre, who was elected to be Eugene\u2019s successor, concluded the Chapter of 1861 by saying:<\/p>\n \u201cI feel the assistance of our much loved Founder; he has not left us!<\/em><\/p>\n I was at his deathbed and said to him, \u201cYou will always be among us.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d he replied, and he has kept his promise.<\/em><\/p>\n He remains among us through the Holy Rule which he had left us, and which is the expression of his love for God and the salvation of souls: it is the glorious testament of his enormous heart, and in observing it we will find all our strength.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After Eugene\u2019s death a General Chapter of the Oblates was convoked in 1861. At the opening session two of the senior members of the Congregation spoke: Father Tempier and Bishop Guibert. Father Tempier opened the General Chapter by declaring his … Continue reading