The sale of the large house in Billens, Switzerland, was concluded.<\/p>\n
\nIt is today that I take possession of Billens. I went there the day before yesterday with my mother who remained to arrange a thousand details. I would wish we could settle in on the 15th, the feast of Saint Theresa and St. Cannat. Having signed the contract on the feast of Saint Defendant, patron or at least saint of the diocese of Marseilles, I would be happy to enter the house on the day we celebrate the feast of another patron of Marseilles. There are many things to do but, for the moment, we will sleep on mattresses; the bed boards of pine only cost ten francs; they are small but very pretty ….<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 10 October 1830, EO VII n 365<\/em><\/p>\n
Eugene, fearful for the safety of the younger members of the Oblate community, made sure to invoke the protection of many saints that he was associated with.<\/p>\n
Rey describes the precautions taken in France to ensure the safety of the young religious:<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore signing the purchase agreement, Father de Mazenod, assisted by Fr. Tempier had arranged how the scholastics would leave Marseille and come to Fribourg: the Superior of the Major Seminary had offered them generous hospitality while they waited for the sale of the house of Billens to be completed. The first group left Marseilles on the 8th of September, the day of the Nativity of the Most Holy Virgin. Two others followed them two days apart. All passed by N.D. du Laus, where Fr. Guibert awaited them. Then they went by different routes to their destination. Prudence required these precautions so as not to attract the attention of the towns through which the travelers had to cross. It was a moment of profound happiness for Fr. de Mazenod when he was surrounded by the fourteen young scholastics who represented future of his religious family.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0REY I p. 493<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The sale of the large house in Billens, Switzerland, was concluded. It is today that I take possession of Billens. I went there the day before yesterday with my mother who remained to arrange a thousand details. I would wish … Continue reading