Tag Archives: Rome

RELICS OF THE DEAD

After dinner, I went to make the station of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. How sad it was to see such a beautiful basilica ruined by flames!… This church, which commemorates the burial place of Paul, had been partially destroyed … Continue reading

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THE PEOPLE OF PROVENCE CANNOT SWALLOW THE DETESTABLE OIL THEY EAT IN ROME

A touch of Provencal gastronomic superiority – and a touch of virtue! It is a pleasure! Here at least, my dear Tempier, the days of fasting are days of penance, especially for Provençals who cannot, whatever effort they make, swallow … Continue reading

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A SOCIETY WITH ELDERS IS HEALTHY

Because Eugene’s Roman Diary was meant to be a private journal recording his impressions, it gives us precious insights into some of his views. In this entry he speaks about two of the older Lazarist priests in the house where … Continue reading

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I FELT A REAL PLEASURE IN MAKING THE STREETS OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD RE-ECHO MY VOICE, SINGING THE PRAISES OF GOD.

Eugene, the pilgrim, describes another of his special experiences in Christian Rome. We returned to the Mattei palace where Monsignor d’Isoard stays; we had a light lunch and quickly got back into the carriage to go in procession to Saint … Continue reading

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IT WOULD BE VERY FOOLISH TO DO GOOD IN ORDER TO GAIN A GOOD REPUTATION AMONG PEOPLE

Working in preparation for his meeting with the Pope, Eugene describes his meeting with the Cardinal Secretary of State (basically the Pope’s second-in-command), whom he had met during the Pope’s imprisonment by Napoleon in Paris. It became an opportunity to … Continue reading

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A TEACHER WHOSE INFLUENCE NEVER DIED

The house where Eugene was living in Rome was the place where Father Bartolo Zinelli was buried. What this young priest had been in Eugene’s life as an adolescent, Eugene himself had aimed at being in the lives of the … Continue reading

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A SINGLE ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES WOULD DECORATE A CITY.

I went to a great number of churches, each more beautiful than the other. In truth, a single one of these beautiful temples would decorate a city. Roman Diary, 4 December 1825, EO XVII All is holy here for him … Continue reading

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RELIGIOUS CLOTHING THAT WAS AS RIDICULOUS AS IT WAS UGLY

Eugene had come to Rome to request official approbation of the Oblates by the Church – a process that was not easy and needed to be organized. When he was not meeting people he tried to visit as much of … Continue reading

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ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO INSPIRE

Yet again in his days in Rome, Eugene the Oblate, narrates how his faith is inspired and strengthened by the presence of the signs of so many who gave their lives as an oblation to God. I had the devotion … Continue reading

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ADMIRING GOD’S BEAUTY IN A CHURCH THAT WELCOMES SINNERS

Eugene shares his reactions to the beauty of the Basilica of St Mary Major, and the activities that took place in it. Returning to my monastery, I couldn’t resist the impulse of going into the basilica of Saint Mary Major … Continue reading

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