Eugene wrote to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s who was a 19 year-old man from Aix, who had been a member of his Youth Congregation. There was a good relationship between them and for the rest of their lives they were to be friends and would confide in each other. The expressions \u201cmy dear friend\u201d and \u201cmy child\u201d are indicative of the sense of paternity that Eugene experienced in his dealings with the young members whom he got to know well through the activities of his youth.<\/p>\n
\nThe missionaries who are going to Arles will bring you, my dear friend, this tardy response to the letter which you had the goodness to write to me on August 29th. I think, my child, that I would not have dared to face you on my return had I not been preceded by this letter\u2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Hippolyte Court\u00e8s had joined the community of the Missionaries as a novice a week earlier:<\/p>\n
\nI believe you follow the exercises of the house.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Eugene knows the religious qualities of this young man and so he urges him to continue developing them:<\/p>\n
\nContinue, my dear child, to give the good example of regularity, of modesty, of obedience and of all the religious virtues\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Adieu, dear friend, I embrace and love you with all my heart.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Eug[ene] de Mazenod, missionary priest<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s, 22 October 1817, O.W. VI n.27<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene wrote to Hippolyte Court\u00e8s who was a 19 year-old man from Aix, who had been a member of his Youth Congregation. There was a good relationship between them and for the rest of their lives they were to be … Continue reading