Partners’ “Footsteps Of De Mazenod” Experience
Each year, the Oblates of France host a small group of Partners to spend a week walking in the footsteps of St. Eugene de Mazenod, founder of the Missionary Oblates. And the “Footsteps 2014” experience is already under planning for June of next year.
The “Footsteps” experience includes classroom instruction on the history and charism of St. Eugene and the early Oblates, followed by a walking tour of Aix. Another day is spent in travel to the countryside town of Barjols, where one of the first Oblate missions was given.
Guests stay at Centre de Mazenod, the Oblate residence and cloister where the founding Oblates first lived. Centre de Mazenod is located in the heart of Aix en Provence, on the famous Cours Mirabeau.
The final formal day is in Marseille, where St. Eugene ended his life, as bishop of Marseille. Mass is held at the tomb of the saint in the Byzantine-Roman Cathedral of Marseille. Additional days include tours of Avignon, Cassis and in the above photo, to lavender and wine country.
Pictured above, from left, are Bob and Ruth Kusenberger (San Antonio), Bonnie and Frank Gittinger (San Antonio), Fr. Joe Labelle, OMI (Aix), Muriel Klosterman (Minneapolis), Fr. Lou Studer, OMI (Washington), Artie Pingolt (Charleston) and Bob Klosterman (Minneapolis). Not pictured is the “Footsteps” instructor, Fr. Frank Santucci, OMI.