Category Archives: LETTERS

THE FIRST FOUNDATIONAL LEVEL OF OUR MAZENODIAN SPIRITUALITY

Why did Eugene become a priest? He replies over and over again with the same reply: Pure love of the glory of God, the most ardent desire for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the needs of the abandoned Church, there … Continue reading

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WE GATHER AS A MAZENODIAN FAMILY TO EXPRESS OUR LOVE FOR MARY IMMACULATE

To this end, I invoke the intercession of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, daring to remind her in all humility, but with consolation, of the filial devotion of my whole life, and of the desire … Continue reading

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FEELING WITH AND RESPONDING TO THE VICTIMS OF THE REVOLUTION

Why did Eugene become a priest? Because he was moved by the condition of the poor whose faith had been weakened or destroyed by the Revolution. Looking at them through the eyes of the Savior urged him to dedicate himself … Continue reading

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LOOKING AT THE SUFFERING MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH WITH THE EYES OF CHRIST THE SAVIOR

Why did Eugene become a priest? As we have seen, a second motivation in his decision was his wish to respond to the suffering of the Church. It was not a “feel-good” motivation, but one that came as a result of … Continue reading

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AT THE SERVICE OF A PERSECUTED AND ABANDONED CHURCH

  Why did Eugene become a priest? The second motivation is that, through the eyes of the crucified Savior he was able to understand the suffering of the Church in France, nearly having been destroyed by the Revolution, and now … Continue reading

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THE CERTAINTY THAT SOMETHING MAKES SENSE, REGARDLESS OF HOW IT TURNS OUT

Seeing himself and the world through the eyes of the Crucified Savior led Eugene to the unwavering certainty of being called to a life of total oblation at the service of the Savior. Madame de Mazenod was certainly not convinced, … Continue reading

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DRAWN INTO THE DIVINE ADVENTURE   

Convinced that his vocation to respond to the Savior’s love as a priest came from God, Eugene now had to convince his unimpressed mother that he had no choice but to obey. He wrote to her: to communicate to you … Continue reading

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THAT I DEVOTE MYSELF ESPECIALLY TO HIS SERVICE AND TRY TO REAWAKEN THE FAITH THAT IS BECOMING EXTINCT AMONG THE POOR

“Through the eyes of the crucified Savior” – a life-changing realization of God’s love for Eugene. Having completed his discernment process, Eugene no longer had any doubts. The Savior whose love he had experienced from the cross, was challenging him … Continue reading

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PRESENCE – THE CEMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS

As friendship was important to Eugene, so much more important was its expression in the presence of God. Having asked his friend Emmanuel to pray for him and support him in his discernment, he then proposes a practical way of … Continue reading

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THE NEED FOR COMPANIONSHIP ON THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY

Just because a person has had a strong religious experience, and is in a process of discernment as to how to live it out, it does not automatically mean that life gets any easier. As much as one needs spiritual … Continue reading

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