Our Heart Like Bethlehem At Holy Communion time, we can imagine our heart has become like another stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Let us worship him with sentiments of the most lively faith and the most ardent charity. Love him, love him with Mary, with St Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and…
December 30: The Purchase of the Carmelite Convent in Aix
The Purchase of the Carmelite Convent in Aix December 30, 1815 marks a further important step for the foundation of the Missionaries of Provence. That day, thanks to the presence of Father Tempier, the contract for the purchase of the Carmelite convent in Aix was signed. Before the Revolution the Carmelites had a beautiful convent…
December 29, St. Gaspar del Bufalo
St. Gaspar del Bufalo Two Founders Meet During his second stay in Rome, St. Eugene met with St. Gaspar del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Together they talked about the possibility of a “merger” between the two groups. This was something about which St. Eugene may have been thinking for…
December 28 : Benjamin Inocencio (1958-2000)
Benjamin Inocencio (1958-2000) Martyr in Jolo, Philippines Father Benjamin Inocencio, chancellor of Jolo vicariate in the Philippines, was shot dead December 28, 2000, a few meters from the vicariate´s cathedral. Father Inocencio, 42, was sitting in a jeep on his way to a store near Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo town, 950…
December 27: Tempier Arrives in Aix
Tempier Arrives in Aix True to his promise, Father Tempier left Arles the day after the Solemnity of Christmas, December 26, 1815, and arrived at Aix on the 27th, the feast of St. John the Evangelist. Father de Mazenod was waiting for the arrival of the stagecoach. After the first effusions of the holiest…
December 26, St. Stephen, Protomartyr
Martyrdom and Mission Saint Stephen’s martyrdom can be a source of reflection on the vocation to “martyrdom” of the Christian and of the Oblate in particular. The martyrdom of charity is the basic spirit of oblation. It flows through the Rules and Oblate spirituality as a way of living the mission. Several Oblates have experienced…
December 25: The Incarnation of Christ and Ours
The Incarnation of Christ and Ours In order to bring salvation to men, Christ wanted to become incarnate, to take on a body like theirs and to live their life like them and with them. He made himself like unto men, says St. Paul, in all things except sin. When our Founder set out…
December 24: The Mystery of the Incarnation
The Mystery of the Incarnation Rise up, O Sion, and look to the East. Almighty God would have you clothed anew with his justice, he wants to ring your brow with an immortal crown…. The splendour of his glory is to issue from your bosom, and his rays, shining out to the darkest corners…
December 23: I Am a Minister of Jesus Christ
I Am a Minister of Jesus Christ On the day of his priestly ordination St. Eugene shares his feelings with his mother. Marie Rose Joannis: the beloved mother of St. Eugene de Mazenod. Dear, darling mother, the miracle has been wrought: your Eugene is a priest of Jesus Christ. That one word says everything;…
December 22: Remembering His Ordination
Remembering His Ordination Returning from his first trip to England, St. Eugene wanted to pass through Amiens to celebrate Mass in the cathedral where 40 years before he had been ordained. Pilgrimage to Amiens…. It is a long time since I have experienced during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the consolations, the happiness…
December 21: St. Eugene is Ordained a Priest
St. Eugene is Ordained a Priest December 21, 1811, Eugene de Mazenod was ordained a priest in Amiens by Bishop Demandolx, whom he had met at the National Council convened by the Emperor (June-July 1811). He had been Vicar General of Marseille at the same time as Eugene’s great-uncle André and he knew the…
December 20: Announcement of His Priestly Ordination
Announcement of His Priestly Ordination December 8, 1811, while on retreat in Amiens, St. Eugene communicates his imminent ordination to his mother: Dear, darling mother, I am only going to write you a few lines as I am on the most important retreat of my life, in which I must dialogue alone with…
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