Remarkable Book on St. Eugene

By Harry Winter, OMI

www.harrywinter.org

When Father Frank Santucci, OMI, spoke on the Mazenodian Family at our autumn gatherings in 2018, (see the video on the e-newsletter of Nov. 21), he explained that St. Eugene no longer belongs just to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.  He mentioned a book on the Founder by a layman who asked for no permission from the Oblates, and had no connection with the Oblates except what he could find on the internet.

Intrigued by this reference, I contacted Frank and received the name of the 25 year old author, Alex Hey, and ordered a copy of his book, Eugène de Mazenod: A Saint for Today from Amazon.com. I found the short (226 pp) book most readable, and remarkable for at least two reasons.

First is the way this layman chose aspects of our Founder to explain.  Since Hey’s parents divorced when he was three years old, he presented the Founder’s dealings with the complexity of divorce in the Founder’s family.  Also his selections from the Founder’s writings about the Eucharist, about Mary, and other subjects, are most inspiring.

Secondly is the readability of this book.  Any interested layperson will find St. Eugene a great patron for our times.

I highly recommend this book for Oblates, first to inspire us again with our Founder’s life.  Secondly, we should recommend this book to every Oblate Associate, to all members of the Mazenodian Family, and any person interested in spiritual values.

Let us thank God for Alex Hey, and pray for him and the spread of his book. www.alexrhey.com