Eugene\u2019s time in Paris coincided with the moment when the government of King Louis XVIII was involved in repairing the destruction wreaked on the Church by the Revolution and Napoleon. One of their tasks was to re-establish some of the dioceses that had been suppressed, and hence they were looking for suitable candidates to fill the vacancies. Eugene was very eligible, and so had received several offers which he turned down because he was convinced that his destiny was tied with that of the Missionaries. These invitations gave him the opportunity to reflect on what was special about his religious family.<\/p>\n
\nBut who are we indeed that the good God should listen to our pleas?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
We are, or we ought to be, holy priests who consider themselves happy and very happy to devote their fortune, their health, their life in the service and for the glory of our God.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
At that stage the Missionaries were all priests, but later the Brothers became part of the adventure of living \u201call for God\u201d through their oblation. Again Eugene hammers on the theme of \u201cbeing\u201d in order to \u201cdo\u201d:<\/p>\n
\nWe are put on earth, particularly those of our house, to sanctify ourselves while helping each other by our example, our words and our prayers.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 22 August 1817, O.W. VI n. 21<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene\u2019s time in Paris coincided with the moment when the government of King Louis XVIII was involved in repairing the destruction wreaked on the Church by the Revolution and Napoleon. One of their tasks was to re-establish some of the … Continue reading