Seminary Formation
From 1808 to 1812 as a member of the Seminary of
Saint-Sulpice in Paris, Eugene de Mazenod was
guided by Monsieur Emery and Monsieur Duclaux.
These holy men encouraged Eugene to continue
developing a spirit of fervor, regularity and
industrious ness. Eugene, notwithstanding
personal risk, committed himself to faithfully
serve and assist the Pope who at this time was a
prisoner of Napoleon at Fontainebleau.
Eugene's desire to become a priest of the poor
continued to develop. Direct contact with
impoverished youth and prisoners of war
strengthened Eugene’s desire to devote himself
entirely to these forgotten people.
Simultaneously he continued to harbor a desire
to make atonement, both for his own sins and all
Christians who had abandoned the Church. Thus he
participates in the activities of the Marian
Congregation and a missionary group established
by his friend and confrere Charles de
Forbin-Janson. Repeatedly he expressed the
desire to cooperate with Christ in the salvation
of the world, so that the shedding of the blood
of Christ might be efficacious for others as it
had been for him.
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