Tag Archives: poverty

NURTURED BY AN OPPRESSIVE YEAR OF GLOOMY MONOTONY

In January 1798, the 16 year-old Eugene and his father and uncles arrived in Naples. My stay in Naples was for me an oppressive year of very gloomy monotony. I did not have my good friends the Zinellis any more, … Continue reading

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FREEDOM IN SIMPLICITY

Since 1821 the Oblates had been present in Marseille with such a flourishing ministry that they were in the process of enlarging their community premises. Eugene wanted the novitiate to be transferred to a part of this house. His plans … Continue reading

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A SON AND HIS MOTHER

Like all mothers, Eugene’s fussed over him. In this letter to his mother, Eugene responds and then refers to a specific situation where she was helping an Oblate. She was generous in using her time, her advice and her considerable … Continue reading

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FINANCES: IT IS MY CLOTHES THAT GIVE ME TROUBLE

Eugene was scrupulous about not unnecessary expenses for himself. Writing to Tempier from Rome, he gives an insight into the steps that his frugality led him. With this money I have paid my debts, that is to say, two months … Continue reading

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A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE

Writing from Paris, he speaks about having to buy some cassocks, the garment worn by priests and religious. I quote the letter because it touches on some interesting points. … In regard to expenses, I believe my uncle will be … Continue reading

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A SIMPLE MISSIONARY LIFESTYLE

August 15 had given Eugene a renewed clarity of vision and injection of missionary zeal. The focus of the ministry of the community was more clearly on the aspect of “all for God”  and service to the most abandoned rather … Continue reading

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A COMMITMENT TO A NEW WORLD FREED FROM SELFISHNESS AND OPEN TO SHARING

The young Missionary students who were preparing for the priesthood at Laus had fully understood the meaning of the spirit of oblation. They wanted their self-giving to God for mission to be as generous as possible. They had already expressed … Continue reading

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VOWS : TO PROCLAIM THE COMING OF A NEW WORLD FREED FROM SELFISHNESS

Add to this that greed is one of the vices that does the greatest damage in the Church, our Institute’s spirit, which is one of atonement, leads us to offer to God the compensation for this vice, by adopting voluntary … Continue reading

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VOWS: PROMPTED LIKE THE FIRST CHRISTIANS TO SHARE EVERYTHING

The model of how to “BE” was that of Jesus and the apostles, which then evolved into the first Christian community. Regarding the spirit of poverty he wrote: The first Christians followed that counsel faithfully to the letter. They still … Continue reading

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VOWS: YOUR ATTITUDE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT OF CHRIST JESUS

Eugene’s model for living the spirit of poverty was what he learnt from the first Christians: The first Christians followed that counsel faithfully to the letter. They still had fresh before them the example of their divine Master.  It was … Continue reading

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