Two and a half years after the foundation of the Missionaries, this seemingly insignificant letter, written by St Eugene, signaled an explosion in their life and a new direction.<\/p>\n
The letter was written in response to an invitation from the Vicar General of the Diocese of Digne. He had asked the Missionaries of Provence to take over the shrine of Notre Dame du Laus, some 150 kilometers from Aix, and to make it a center of pilgrimage and of missionary activity.<\/p>\n
\nI have no other desire than to do a little good; thus, if you think that the plan you have thought of might gain some glory for God and contribute to the salvation of souls, I am totally disposed to offer myself for all the arrangements which are compatible with my commitments in this diocese and the duties of my position in our little Society.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nLetter to M. Arbaud, Vicar General, 23 August 1818, EO XIII, n 16<\/em><\/p>\n
The result of Eugene\u2019s letter of acceptance was to be that:
\n\uf0a7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 this tiny group of Missionaries realized that their future was not limited to only one house in Aix en Provence \u2013 as had been their original intention. It would eventually open the way to a world-wide expansion;
\n\uf0a7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 this group of diocesan priests were to change their status and to become a group of religious priests and brothers with vows;
\n\uf0a7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 they would produce their first comprehensive Rule of Life as religious;
\n\uf0a7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 they understood that the care of Marian sanctuaries was part of their missionary charism.<\/p>\nWhat the Missionary Oblates and the Mazenodian Family are today is the fruit of this decision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Two and a half years after the foundation of the Missionaries, this seemingly insignificant letter, written by St Eugene, signaled an explosion in their life and a new direction. The letter was written in response to an invitation from the … Continue reading