Tag Archives: prisoners

THE PRISON EXPERIENCE COMES TO AN END

  As a member of the charitable work for the prisoners, Eugene had a certain success in most of his undertakings. Leflon describes his eventual failure in not getting old stale bread delivered to them. The reaction proved to be … Continue reading

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SOUP TACTICS

When it was Eugene’s turn to be the director of the prison charity for the week (“Semainier”), he went to extraordinary lengths to force the prisoners to go to Mass. Leflon, quoting the minutes of the meetings, explains “On the … Continue reading

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FORCE-FEEDING THE CONSOLATIONS THAT RELIGION BRINGS

Leflon describes Eugene’s efforts to bring spiritual comfort to the prisoners: “Finally, the Semainier, anxious to make sure the prisoners received spiritual help, which was also one of the purposes of the Organization, observed that there exists an inexcusable neglect … Continue reading

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GOD’S GRACE WOULD BUILD ON EUGENE’S NATURE

Eugene’s heart had been touched by the miserable situation of the prisoners, as Leflon tells us: “Eugene then denounced the deplorable condition of the temporary prisoners, particularly the conscriptees who had been taken from one regiment to another before reaching … Continue reading

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I TRY TO OBTAIN FOR THEM ALL THE COMFORTS THAT DEPEND ON ME

Leflon writes: “Installed on December 30, 1806, ‘Demazenot fils’: immediately assumed the duties of the Semainier (the director in charge for one week), and, in this capacity, presented, on January 6, 1807, a report that had the Mazenod touch, and … Continue reading

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CONVINCED OF YOUR ZEAL AND YOUR LOVE FOR ALL THAT IS RELATED TO THE RELIEF OF THE POOR AND UNFORTUNATE

  On December 23 1806, Eugene, addressed as ”Demazenot fils,” (the equivalent of “junior”) received the following letter, addressed to him from the directors of the Work of Prisons in Aix: “Sir, we have the honor to inform you that … Continue reading

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LET’S DO SOME GOOD WHILE WE HAVE THE TIME

In his correspondence with the various bishops, under whose jurisdiction the Oblates ministered, Eugene was always focused on ministry in accordance with the founding inspiration he had received from God. While always wishing to cooperate with tehj nbishops in whose … Continue reading

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I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL THESE FACTS OF THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH

Before Eugene was able to leave Rome, he still had to complete some formalities with the Vatican. While waiting, he filled in his time with various occupations that he writes about in his diary. One of them was to read … Continue reading

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ONGOING PASTORAL CONCERN FOR PRISONERS

One of Eugene’s earliest ministries had been with the prisoners of Aix, and he wanted this to continue as one of the ministries of the Oblates, as he wrote in the Rule: Art. 1. We are never to forget that … Continue reading

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DESCENDING INTO DARK CELLS

With a predilection for those whom the structures of the Church were not touching, the Missionaries reached out to various groups who needed a special focus or a particular message. As we reflect on this today, perhaps we could ask … Continue reading

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