Eugene de Mazenod


		To Eugene de Mazenod, born in Provence, southern France, August 1, 1782, the world offered much. Through his father he was of the nobility: through his mother he was comfortably wealthy. But within eight years of his birth his world was to be turned on its head. The fury of the French Revolution made Eugene a political refugee for twelve years. His family fled, his parents separated, his inheritance disappeared. Long years of exile in poverty and uncertainty in Venice and Naples alternated with brief spells of hope and enjoyment of court life in Palermo. On his return to his homeland at the age of twenty he sought to find his place in the new France. It was a time of growing disillusionment, but also of a challenging awakening to deeper realities. His gaze was drawn more and more away from himself to the pressing needs of the spiritually and materially needy of the countryside. He grew in certainty that his place was to be with them. Despite opposition he decided to become a priest, and was ordained on December the 21st, 1811. To the young Father de Mazenod, religion in France presented a sorry sight - enshrined atheism, entrenched anti-clericalism, parishes without priests, churches without people. He drew together a small band of like-minded priests inspired by his enthusiasm to rebuild God's Kingdom, who later came to be known as the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Beginning in Provence, they spread throughout Europe and then to all continents. They spared no effort, brooked no delay, sought no ease in their work for God. Eugene was a 'second Paul' a man 'impassioned with Christ'. Appointed Bishop of Marseilles, he cared both for his diocese and his religious family, radiating faith and energy over the long years of his life. On his death, May 21^st, 1861, Eugene de Mazenod bequeathed his men a unique vision of daring for the Kingdom of God, and a sense of urgency for the salvation of souls. The Church recognised these perduring graces and declared him blessed on October the 19th 1975. His cannonization followed in 1995. The priest from Provence, through his Oblates, has become a sign for the whole Church - a sign of grace accepted, of grace wondrously fulfilled, of grace bursting forth unto glory. It was 1847; Ireland was in the throes of a cruel famine. Eugene de Mazenod, bishop of Marsielles and founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, made an appeal for Irish famine relief funds to the people of his diocese in a circular dated February the 24th, 1847. Copies of the following letter to Mgr. John McHale, archbishop of Tuam, were sent to Mgr. Murray, archbishop of Dublin, Mgr. Foran, Bishop of Waterford, Mgr. Egan, Bishop of Kerry and Mr. Michael O'Sullivan, North Presentation Convent, Cork. Marseilles April 14th, 1847 Your Grace, Touched as I could only be by the ills which afflict Ireland, I thought to myself that the faithful of my diocese could not remain indifferent thereto and that they owed at least a token of charity towards their unfortunate brethren. I have made an appeal to their goodwill in a circular to this effect. The collection made in the churches where the mite of the poor mingles with the offering of the rich has produced a sum of about 20,000 francs of our money. It is good to be able to associate myself in some sort with your own charity which mitigates so many ills and dries so many tears. The grat trials to which your unfortunate country is subjected make me regret, nonetheless, not being able to contribute in greater measure to their relief. Pray accept, with my expression of my keen sympathy for the Irish, that of the respectful regard with which I am, etc. C. J. Eugene, Bishop of Marseilles