Tag Archives: Eugene’s personality

I SHOULD STOP SHORT AT NOTHING FOR THE WELFARE OF THIS INSTRUMENT THAT IS INDISPENSABLE TO A MISSIONARY

I have pretended up to now to have mislaid my stomach, and I have been quite successful in this. I believed an habitual fast, working though I was, was not doing me any harm at all; I was wrong. And … Continue reading

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IT IS A GREAT PITY I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THIS A LOT SOONER

Sleep So he must sleep and eat; and when he is tired he must rest. It is a great pity I did not understand this a lot sooner. There is still time to get there, the damage is not irreversible; … Continue reading

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IT IS ANNOYING THAT THE BODY’S ENERGIES DO NOT MATCH THE ACTIVITY OF THE SOUL

Eugene is learning to come to his senses about the limitations that his body places on his missionary zeal. He needs to ensure the necessary energy to put his ideals into practice. Looking after the body Soul and body are … Continue reading

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I WILL TRY TO PROFIT FROM IT AND SERIOUSLY EXAMINE MY LIFE

The enforced break turned out to be an important moment of reflection and clarification for Eugene. For almost a year he had been constantly occupied with every detail of the birth of the Missionaries of Provence. Now he was forced … Continue reading

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FROM MY PLACE OF EXILE

Eventually Eugene’s body could no longer handle the pressure, and he was sent away for an enforced rest. The vow of obedience that he had made to Henri Tempier would no doubt have been used to force him to take … Continue reading

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WHAT IS KILLING ME, IS THE THOUGHT THAT EVERY DAY I HAVE TO DO TWENTY THINGS OVER AND ABOVE WHAT I AM ABLE FOR

Apart from the non-stop activity, Eugene carried the responsibility of nurturing the infancy of the group of Missionaries. The identity of the group was being formed. The methodology and goals of their missionary activities were being worked out as they … Continue reading

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AT PRESENT, I CANNOT DO ANYTHING ELSE BUT WORK

After a pause to reflect on and celebrate the 150 years of the death of Saint Eugene, our daily reflections on his writings resume. We are in the year 1816 and we have reflected on the foundation of the Missionaries … Continue reading

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EUGENE AS MISSION PREACHER: AS A SPEAKER HE WAS LOVED, SOUGHT AFTER, APPLAUDED

Adolphe Tavernier, who had known Eugene throughout his life, wrote about the gifted preacher that Eugene was known to be: Before numerous gatherings, in the churches of large cities, Paris, Marseilles, Aix and others, in small towns and villages, during … Continue reading

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EUGENE AS MISSION PREACHER: THE STRONG IMPRESSION THAT HE MADE ON HIS LISTENERS

 Leflon continues to describe the impression Eugene made as a preacher:  Everything about the young priest combined to make a strong impression. His stature, his grand manner, his flashing dark and deep-set eyes, the rich resonance of his voice, at … Continue reading

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EUGENE AS MISSION PREACHER: UNABLE TO USE A FULLY PREPARED TEXT

Eugene was a gifted orator who could not stay with a prepared text, but because he knew exactly which reaction he wanted to achieve from his listeners, he was able to move and improvise – but always coming from his … Continue reading

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