Eugene was born in Aix in 1782 of noble parents. In 1791 he was forced to flee with his parents because of the French Revolution. During 11 years he lived in many different places, Nice, Turin, Venice, Naples, and Palermo. On his return to France as a young man, one Good Friday praying before the cross, he realized deeply the love of God for him, an experience that changed his life. He entered the seminary in 1808 and was ordained in 1811. Back in Aix, he astounded people by preaching to the servant class in their Provençal l language. His ministry would be to the poor. In 1816 he gathered together in community a number of diocesan priests to work together preaching missions to the abandoned. This was the beginning of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a new congregation founded by Eugene de Mazenod, which was approved by the church in 1826. He was ordained titular bishop of Icosia in 1832. In 1837 he succeeded his uncle as Bishop of Marseille. He died there in 1861 and was declared a Saint of the universal Church in 1995.
His feast day is celebrated on 21st May each year.
Reflection Questions
- St Eugene De Mazenod’s childhood had several elements of suffering to it. Yet from this suffering God was moulding a heart sensitive to the deep love of God. In what ways might St Eugene have allowed his heart to be moulded?
- When you look back on your life, in what ways can you see the hand of God in key moments of your life? What are some positive personality traits of yours that have been borne from hardship?
Personal Introductions
Fr Pat Moroney OMI
Fr Andrew Chen OMI
Br Joshua Nash OMI
Fr Christian Fini OMI
