Tag Archives: foundation of OMI

199 YEARS AGO: THE FIRST DAY OF COMMUNITY LIFE – 25 JANUARY 1816

25 January 1816 marked the first day of community life for the Missionaries, with the arrival of the first three members. Eugene had bought some of the Carmelite Convent, with an arrangement that the seller, Madame Gontier, could continue using … Continue reading

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COUNTING GOD’S BLESSINGS – AND RECORDING THEM

Eugene had asked each Oblate to recall and write his memories of the life of the Society. Father Suzanne had written something on the history of the Oblates in Marseille. Reading what he had written, Eugene stressed the importance of … Continue reading

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WE ASK YOUR HOLINESS TO GIVES US THE NAME OF OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE

Having decided to change the name of our Congregation, Eugene now asked the Pope to give us this name officially. When this request was eventually granted, Eugene was able to proclaim everywhere that it was “the name that the Pope … Continue reading

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AN INSPIRATION THAT PASSED FROM HIS HEART TO HIS HEAD

This extract from the Roman Diary of Eugene seemingly has no importance: I ended the day with a visit to the church of the Holy Apostles for the last day of the novena for the Immaculate Conception. Ordinarily the Pope … Continue reading

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HE UNDERSTOOD AT FIRST SIGHT WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT WE AIM TO DO

The growth in the number of vocations made it possible for Eugene to explore the possibilities of the establishment of a fourth center of mission for the Oblates. His attempt in Nice had not met with success, and so he … Continue reading

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THE DIOCESE OF MARSEILLE – A BREAKTHROUGH TO ASSURE THE FUTURE OF THE OBLATES

Eugene and his uncle were forced to stay on Paris for several months to prepare for Fortune’s episcopal ordination and all the work with the Government and Church for the reestablishment of the Diocese of Marseille, which had not existed … Continue reading

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WHERE ARE WE ON OUR JOURNEY WITH SAINT EUGENE DE MAZENOD?

After the pause for Christmas, the daily reflections with Saint Eugene resume. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERVICE? Firstly, it is an invitation to come to know Eugene de Mazenod, a saint of the universal Church, in a deeper … Continue reading

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THE NOMINATION OF FORTUNÉ DE MAZENOD AS A GUARANTEE OF PROTECTION FOR THE MISSIONARIES

Since their foundation in 1816 the Missionaries of Provence had been buffeted by different storms within and outside of the church. We have seen how there was no authority figure on whom they could rely for unswerving protection. Having Fortuné … Continue reading

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MAKING PERSONAL SACRIFICES FOR AN IDEAL

We have been seeing the importance of Henri Tempier for Eugene – they had been together in the “Oblate adventure” from the very beginning. Every major decision had been planned togethr and executed and evaluated together. After three years of … Continue reading

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YOU HAVE FROM THE FIRST DAY WE CAME TOGETHER GRASPED THE SPIRIT WHICH MUST ANIMATE US

It is significant that at this very moment when Eugene was confirmed in his role as the founder of a Missionary Society and assured of its future, he thought of Henri Tempier. Tempier had understood the God-given spirit of the … Continue reading

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