The year 1816 was marked by the newly-founded community\u2019s development of the understanding of their vocation and how to live it out in response to the needs of Provence. One of the guiding figures for Eugene in this process was Alphonsus de Liguori, who was in the news because of the announcement of his beatification in 1816.<\/p>\n
Born in Naples a century before Eugene, some remarkable similarities exist: Alphonsus came from a legal background; at age 27 he changed his life-direction and went to the seminary; as a young priest he dedicated himself to the poor youth of Naples and to being a talented preacher who led many to conversion; at 34 years of age he founded the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer to preach missions in the local language to the poor of the rural villages around Naples; his moral theology was based on the mercy of the Redeemer and he fought against the Jansenist heresy of denying the sacraments to people; in later life he became Bishop of Sant\u2019Agata. It is no wonder that Eugene was naturally drawn to the life and example of this man who had died in 1787, but whose influence continued.<\/p>\n
In May Eugene wrote to his father, who was living in Palermo:<\/p>\n
\nI wanted to ask you to see the Missionaries of the Redeemer to beg them to send me their Constitutions and Rules, the office of their holy founder, his life and relics if possible, at least a picture large enough to put in our community room until we can place it in our church. I have studied his works extensively and we have taken him as one of our patrons; we would like to walk in his footsteps and imitate his virtues. Ask for and send me many details about these good Fathers who are his disciples and implore them to pray to the good Lord for us who have a great need for support in the midst of the difficulties and obstacles we are meeting … I have some (of his writings), among others his moral theology which I like very much and have studied in a special way when I had the time to study…<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to C.A. de Mazenod, 1 May 1816, O.W. XIII n.3<\/em><\/p>\n
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The year 1816 was marked by the newly-founded community\u2019s development of the understanding of their vocation and how to live it out in response to the needs of Provence. One of the guiding figures for Eugene in this process was … Continue reading