Tag Archives: bishop

WE ARE THE BISHOP’S MEN… OR ARE WE?

“We are the Bishop’s men” is a slogan that has been much used and abused throughout the history of our Congregation. Taken out of context, it has been interpreted as a reason for an Oblate to be a “jack-of-all-trades-minister” in … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE

The Archbishop of Aix was also not cooperating in letting his men join the Oblates. Eugene pleads his case. Would you be good enough, Your Grace, to console this afflicted soul who is earnestly manifesting the desire to join our … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

THE WISH THAT THE LORD MAY INSPIRE IN BOTH OF YOU WHATEVER WILL CONTRIBUTE MOST TO HIS GLORY

Convinced that the priest in question had a genuine vocation to Oblate missionary life, Eugene advises him to be patient and not be put off by opposition. God’s will would triumph in the long run. In your particular case, I … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

ANXIOUS TO MAINTAIN THE GOODWILL OF OUR BISHOPS FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THEIR FLOCKS

The Roman approbation of the Oblates meant that we were free to accept any candidates regardless of the opposition of the bishops. Yet, Eugene found it important to act in unity with the local bishop and to respect his wishes. … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A BISHOP’S REQUEST THAT DOES NOT CORRESPOND WITH OUR CHARISM

Marius Suzanne, convalescing from his serious illness, had been approached by the Bishop of Aix to become his secretary. Eugene felt strongly that this was not in keeping with the spirit of the Oblates, and so he wrote to Fr … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

BISHOPS AND THE OBLATE CHARISM: CONFLICT OR COMMUNION?

Eugene founded the Oblates to serve in the Church and to be of service to the mission of the Church, with the charismatic vision particular to us. Our vocation becomes tangible around the person of the bishop, in communion with … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

PROPERTY IS THE SUREST GUARANTEE OF STABILITY

While ensuring the zeal of the Oblate missionaries towards the most abandoned, Eugene also had to deal with the local bishops to safeguard the status and situation of the Oblates in the dioceses where they ministered. Yvon Beaudoin explains the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO CONSOLIDATE THE GOOD ALREADY ACHIEVED AT MARSEILLES

Bishop Fortuné de Mazenod was an old man and he relied heavily on his nephew to put his decisions into practice with the priests and laity of the diocese. As Vicar General, Eugene was experiencing difficulty in bringing about the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment

HOW MUCH AUTHORITY DO BISHOPS HAVE OVER THE OBLATES?

We have been following the saga of the Provencal bishops nearly destroying Eugene’s Missionaries. We have seen how Eugene managed to calm the storm with the Archbishop of Aix and among the Missionaries within the Society itself. His next step … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 3 Comments

PARISH MISSIONS: RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF JESUS CHRIST HEARD WITHIN THE CHURCH THROUGH PEOPLE’S NEED FOR SALVATION

 The missionaries did not go out as freelance agents to do their own thing. Their missionary activity was as part of the thrust of the local church and it was done in communion with the Church. In a tangible way, … Continue reading

Posted in RULE | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment