Posts

721-768 of 1833
Portugal
After a turbulent period for religious congregations, our own is officially approved under the title of "Association of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit". fr pt
Algeria
The orphanage and property of Misserghin are ceeded to the Spiritans by the Brothers of Our Lady of the Annunciation. Several of the brothers joined our Congregation, including Frère Clément… fr pt
Portugal
Fr. Eigenmann is named Visitator of the Province of Portugal and Provincial "ad interim", replacing Fr. Rulhe whose bad health made it impossible for him to continue. Fr. Rulhe died… fr pt
Libermann to the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Castres, 19.11.1847
"Making people feel there is a great distance between them and us, in conduct, dress, ways of acting and speaking, is a very bad system and contrary to the spirit… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 126, 1835.
Enter most deeply into your innermost self and never come out. If you do this, your joy will be full and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ will flood… fr pt
Libermann to Bessieux, 30.08.1850. NDXII, p.349-350
In your missionary work, you need courage, peace, interior humil-ity and trust in God alone; this must be complemented by a Christian mistrust of your own strength and ideas. You…
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 67, 1837.
My beloved brothers, love one another as Jesus loves you. Be united together as Jesus is united to your souls. I am certain that if you act in this way,… fr pt
Libermann to M. Percin, 02.11.1846. NDVIII, p.333-341
If we had have been able to start a mission in Haiti, we would have destroyed the ridiculous prejudices which have fed the ambitions and interests of a handful of… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 668, 1834.
Do not be troubled or embarrassed by anything. If it pleases our Lord Jesus Christ to put you in Rennes, stay there, if He wants you in Paris, come to… fr pt
Libermann to Le Berre, 09.08.1847. NDIX, p.248-249
The uncomfortable feeling we can have when we are with people who think and judge differently to ourselves, who despise us and have no time for us, can easily make… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, III, 279, 1843.
You do not have to be discouraged when you happen to have fallen again. You must get up, ask for forgiveness from Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin and make… fr pt
Libermann to Le Vavasseur, 14.10.1847. NDIX, p.288-289
Our works in Europe will concentrate on the poorest classes in France who are in need of help, such as sailors, soldiers, workers in general (still the most neglected), prisoners,… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 27, 1837.
So take courage, be strong and robust in the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are slightly dissipated during this holidays, even if you had made mistakes, do… fr pt
Règle Provisoire, no.86
They will have a special care and love for the poorest people and those whom the world considers the most unfortunate. They will treat them with great kindness and concern.… fr pt
Cf. Commentary of Saint John, 699, 1940.
The men of God must pay attention to these observations. How many are there not who misunderstood the mission of their divine Master, and therefore theirs. They want an external… fr pt
Libermann, to Carron, Rennes, 03.02.1838, L.S.I p.409-412
"May the divine Child preserve in your soul his life of love and self-giving. He alone is our all; let us be lost and absorbed in him. He is hidden… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, X, 537, 1849.
The missionary rapports between them will be those of the children of the same family, which is that of Jesus and Mary. They must treat themselves as brothers animated by… fr pt
Libermann talking of his baptism. ND I, p.90
"I am still amazed at the wonderful change that happened in me as the baptismal water flowed over my forehead. All my doubts and fears suddenly fell away. The clerical… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 208, 1839.
Never allow yourself to be discouraged by your weaknesses, and whenever you think you have committed some fault, reflect back gently on yourself, then present yourself before Our Lord in… fr pt
Règle Provisoire, no.89
"They will be the advocates, the supporters and the defenders of the weak and the little ones against those who oppress them. It is in cir-cumstances like these that the… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 313, 1846.
Always go about peacefully and gently, according to your strength at the moment. Do not go ahead of your guide, lest you go astray and away from the path which… fr pt
Libermann to Collin, 21.09.1851. NDXIII, p.293-297
Even though they throw themselves into their work with great dedication, the missionary, the superior and the one in charge of the mission become completely absorbed in the area for… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, II, 153, 1839.
Study because it is necessary to do so but do not put your trust in books. Jesus is the only light of our minds. Be trustfully confident in our adorable… fr pt
Libermann to Lairé, 08.05.1851. NDXIII, p.142-145
"Your most important preaching is done through the example of a holy life which will attract the grace of God to these poor people. The people of Africa neither need… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Writings, Supplement, 5.
Take the firm and powerful resolution to give yourself to God, completely without reserve, with promptness and joy. This generosity in the gift of oneself is indispensable and always turns… fr pt
Libermann to Lossedat, 13.04.1846. NDVIII, 109-115
"It is a very important principle for action (and for many other things) to be on one's guard against a sort of 'ideal' perfection. It is good that we know… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, III, 377, 1844 842.
Give yourself body and soul to God, and no longer seek to rely on creature. It is no longer time to be a child, mature age of perfection must begin… fr pt
Libermann to Lossedat, 13.04.1846. NDVIII, p.109-115
"It is difficult to appreciate how important this tolerance is. There is no way in which people will always agree. If we don't have this tolerance, we prevent good things… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, III, 377, 1844.
So remain simply attached to God. You have God and God alone. He must be sufficient for you. fr pt
Libermann to Blanpin, 01.01.1845. NDVII, p.148
"A ship has sails and a rudder. The wind blows into the sails and makes the vessel advance in the desired direction. But this would be too vague and would… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, III, 159, 1842.
Allow yourself to be guided by God’s hand. Do not hurry in divine things. Be before Our Lord as clay is before the potter. fr pt
Libermann to Luquet, NDAnnex, p.62
From 1840, when I sent the first version of the Rules for our little Society to Rome, I felt it was essential to work for the creation of a native… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, XI, 48, 1849.
To continue this work for the poor workers], we need some resources. Come to our aid. Already, they have all received the medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary and are… fr pt
Libermann to Collin: 29.01.1845. NDVII, p.37-39
Your prayer should be a simple, humble and peaceful repose, full of confidence in the presence of Jesus- that's all! There is no need for a lot of reflections or… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, X, 540-1, 1849.
One does not love his confrere in order to be loved, or for the pleasure that one finds in this affection. Loving thus one’s confrere, all in God and for… fr pt
SRL 15
"Our preaching of the Gospel has different styles, determined by the times and places in which we are living. We announce the Gospel to people and groups who have not… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 27, 1837.
If we feel that we are miserable, it is the joy of our heart because we see that God alone is great, God alone is beautiful, kind, filled with all… fr pt
Spiritans in Mexico: 1971-1996
"It is interesting to observe the approach of these first Spiritan missionaries towards the people. They welcomed the people, listened to them with respect, walked with them and, on occasions,… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Writings, 475.
The divine Saviour has promised a hundredfold to him who abandons creatures for his sake. All those who have given it a trial have seen the fulfilment of the promise… fr pt
Spiritan Confreres in Australia
Here in Australia we are literally at the "ends of the earth", but in the spirit of François Libermann, we have faith in what the Lord is asking of us… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, XIII, 352, 1851.
It is essential that we attain to such an abnegation of ourselves that we remain imperturbable with regards to everything that happens. We must expect all the privations, sufferings, all… fr pt
Libermann to I. Schwindenhammer, 04.08.1842. NDIII, p.247
It is part of the spirit of priesthood to sacrifice oneself with the victim. Jesus has to be the victim offered by all, and the same Jesus must also be… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, III, 27, 1842.
Do not aim at attracting the world to our holy work. It is the work of Our Lord and of the Holy Heart of Mary, we do not interfere too… fr pt
Common Declaration of Paul VI & Athenagoras, 07.12.1965
"In accomplishing this act of reconciliation, the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church see it as the expression of a sincere desire for reconciliation and an invitation to pursue… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 67, 1837.
Consider you all as only one body animated by our divine Jesus. Rejoice fully with all the graces and good that you see in one another. fr pt
Libermann to Collin, 29.01.1845. NDVII, p.37
Self-love, self-centredness and pride in one's achievements are enemies which can only be overcome by despising them. The more you take notice of these movements, the more they will dominate… fr pt
Cf. Glose 124-5.
The union that should reign between us must be a union of spirit and a union of heart. The union of mind must not consist of wishing to subjugate others… fr pt
SRL 89
In every facet of our lives, but particularly in our prayer, Mary is our model of willing obedience and faithfulness. We offer her veneration and prayer so that we may,… fr pt
721-768 of 1833