By the middle of 1834 there were around 26 Oblates and 10 scholasticates in 5 communities: Aix en Provence, Marseilles, Laus, L\u2019Osier in France and Billens in Switzerland.<\/p>\n
At this time, the newly-appointed Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica, Casanelli d\u2019Istria, visited friends in Aix en Provence and met Eugene. In explaining the abandonment of the Church in Corsica: \u201cpoor parishes, numerous clergy but in general without formation, ignorant faithful, strife between families and clans,\u201d he asked for help from the Oblates. Here were people who were indeed abandoned and who needed a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior – and Eugene responded to the need.<\/p>\n
\nI do not at all retract the promise that I made to support you with all my strength in the great mission that you must fulfil in the diocese that Divine Providence has just entrusted to your care. <\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Bishop Casanelli d\u2019Istria, 19 September 1834, EO XIII n 83<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By the middle of 1834 there were around 26 Oblates and 10 scholasticates in 5 communities: Aix en Provence, Marseilles, Laus, L\u2019Osier in France and Billens in Switzerland. At this time, the newly-appointed Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica, Casanelli d\u2019Istria, visited … Continue reading