In his correspondence with Charles de Forbin-Janson from 1814 to 1816, Abbé Eugene de Mazenod mentions the Missionaries of France and says that he himself wants to join up with a few priests in order to preach missions in Provençal, but he does not use the title Missionaries of Provence. Nor does it appear in the January 25, 1816 petition submitted to the vicars general of the cathedral chapter of Aix.
At Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon in November of 1818, the Founder does, however, give this title to the rules he is drawing up: “Constitutions and Rules of the Society of the Missionaries of Provence.” The definitive French text of 1824-1825 used for the official Latin text bears no title, but the first article begins with the words: “The end of the institute of the Missionaries known as “of Provence.’”
This title corresponded exactly with the purpose of the society: that of establishing a community of diocesan priests to evangelize Provence. It is something that must have come spontaneously to the mind of the Founder who knew the Missionaries of France.
The missionaries retained this title up until the summer of 1825. At that point, they changed it to the Oblates of Saint Charles.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
