Tag Archives: community

RESTORING HARMONY

To conclude this episode, which had threatened the existence of the Oblates, I would like to jump ahead by a year to let Leflon conclude the history for us. Finally, now that the internal situation had been cleared up, peace … Continue reading

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A DRAMATIC GESTURE OF APPEASEMENT

The argument about the validity of vows apart, the toll of this conflict was heavy on Eugene and on the Oblates. Their very existence was being threatened by the Bishops wanting their priests to leave the Missionaries and return to … Continue reading

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GOD DOES NOT WANT THE DREGS OF OUR EXHAUSTION

Eugene’s concern for his Oblates was holistic – it included every aspect of their lives. He wanted then to be all for God, great saints, dedicated community members and zealous missionaries prepared to give their lives for their ideals. In … Continue reading

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ENSURING CREATIVE FIDELITY IN THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITIES

While in Marseille, Tempier was entrusted by Eugene with the task of doing a “visitation” of the community of Missionaries at the Calvaire. The term “canonical visitation” in religious life refers to an official visit and review of the life … Continue reading

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LISTEN TO YOUR OBLATE COMMUNITY

Having encouraged Jourdan in his suffering and invited him to place his confidence in God, Eugene now resorts to two further approaches to help him. The first is linked with the authority of the superior of a community of religious. … Continue reading

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THAT MISSIONARY COMMUNITY THAT TRULY RESEMBLES THE CENACLE

The Oblate community was Eugene’s constant point of reference, whenever he was separated from it. His model for our religious missionary life was that of Jesus and the apostles. For him our communities were meant to be “cenacles” – just … Continue reading

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NOTHING OF THIS SPECTACLE IN THE PALACE OF THE EARTHLY KING SPOKE TO MY HEART

At the Royal Palace in Paris, Eugene describes the Holy Thursday service where a prince washed the feet of a group of children during the liturgy I have just returned from accompanying my uncle to the Last Supper at the … Continue reading

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IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SAME LORD

Despite all their ministry engagements, Eugene always insisted that the Missionaries come together to celebrate the Easter mysteries as a family in their communities. Being in Paris, this was the first time in 7 years that he was not with … Continue reading

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SO LET US ALWAYS BE UNITED IN THE SAME CHARISM

Joseph-Hippolyte Guibert, a young man from Aix en Provence, had joined the novitiate but, soon after, had been pressurized by his father to leave. A few weeks later he had returned and Eugene wrote about this to express his happiness … Continue reading

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OUR HOUSE IS A TRUE HEAVEN ON EARTH

As Eugene charges the scholastics to live always in communion with one another, one can recognize echoes of John 17,21: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one–as you are in me, Father, … Continue reading

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