Saint Eugene de Mazenod Marseille was the second home of Saint Eugene who moved to the city in 1823 when his uncle Fortune de Mazenod, at the age of 73, was appointed Bishop. Eugene was asked to help him. It was a big job as the diocese didn’t have a bishop for 20 years. Saint Eugene lived in Marseille until his death in 1861. Although he lived permanently in the bishop’s house but he was all the time the Superior General of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The house was the place where he spent the longest period of his life, 38 years. He administered the diocese from here but he also directed the Oblate Congregation from this place. The House of Bishops of Marseille saw Eugene praying, reflecting and making decision about the future of the Oblates. From here he was giving his Oblates appointments to various ministries and various mission countries.
We have a good description of the Bishop’s living quarters: “They were on the ground floor in the wing to the left of the entrance. They consisted of a narrow antechamber and then the room where he received visitors. The latter was quite large but very modest in appearance. There was also a living room, with low ceiling and badly decorated walls on which hung oil painting of Oblate Bishops. Finally, his bedroom was to the left of the antechamber. Its walls were covered with old and faded blue paper which few would tolerate in their own home. Because of the works being done in the house towards the end of is life, his bedroom was transferred to the upper floor of that same wing and it was there that he died.”
Eugene was absolutely insistent that the Bishop’s house should be open to all who wished to see him. It so happened that as Duke Mac Mahon waited in the room to see the Bishop he sat alongside an old beggar woman. On the First of August 1858 the municipal authorities came in full dress to wish the Bishop a Happy Birthday. No wonder the Mayor was astonished to see the room filled with “a swarm of fishwives and women from the market shouting at the top of their voices: “Long live Bishop! God bless you. Many happy returns!” They were
received by the Bishop first and meanwhile the gentlemen of the municipality continued to wait their turn.”
This house also witnessed the final moments of the saintly bishop. Bishop Jeancard who assisted Eugene at the death bed wrote: “On May 21, 1861, having blessed his dear Oblates for the last time, he made a final recommendation to them that they should practice charity among themselves and zeal for the salvation of souls. The aged bishop then breathed his last while those present were finishing the recitation of the Salve Regina. He had been in coma during the preceding days but had regained consciousness as the final hour approached. That had been his wish that was his prayer: “How I wish to be aware of dying so that I can accept the will of God.” Indeed, he had frequently given instructions as follows: “If I should happen to doze and my condition becomes worse I beg of you to awaken me. I want to know that I am dying when the moment of death arrives.” The old worrier wished to be conscious for that supreme moment.
Two days before his death, our dear Father said to me: “I do not weep because I am going to die. No indeed, but I weep because I am leaving people who are dear to me. You must be aware that the good God has given me a heart with immense capacity and that He has allowed me to love all of you immensely with that heart. When I am no longer with you, there will be somebody who will take my place in authority, someone who will appreciate you according to your merits, but who will never love you as I have loved you.”
We have a good description of the Bishop’s living quarters: “They were on the ground floor in the wing to the left of the entrance. They consisted of a narrow antechamber and then the room where he received visitors. The latter was quite large but very modest in appearance. There was also a living room, with low ceiling and badly decorated walls on which hung oil painting of Oblate Bishops. Finally, his bedroom was to the left of the antechamber. Its walls were covered with old and faded blue paper which few would tolerate in their own home. Because of the works being done in the house towards the end of is life, his bedroom was transferred to the upper floor of that same wing and it was there that he died.”
Eugene was absolutely insistent that the Bishop’s house should be open to all who wished to see him. It so happened that as Duke Mac Mahon waited in the room to see the Bishop he sat alongside an old beggar woman. On the First of August 1858 the municipal authorities came in full dress to wish the Bishop a Happy Birthday. No wonder the Mayor was astonished to see the room filled with “a swarm of fishwives and women from the market shouting at the top of their voices: “Long live Bishop! God bless you. Many happy returns!” They were
received by the Bishop first and meanwhile the gentlemen of the municipality continued to wait their turn.”
This house also witnessed the final moments of the saintly bishop. Bishop Jeancard who assisted Eugene at the death bed wrote: “On May 21, 1861, having blessed his dear Oblates for the last time, he made a final recommendation to them that they should practice charity among themselves and zeal for the salvation of souls. The aged bishop then breathed his last while those present were finishing the recitation of the Salve Regina. He had been in coma during the preceding days but had regained consciousness as the final hour approached. That had been his wish that was his prayer: “How I wish to be aware of dying so that I can accept the will of God.” Indeed, he had frequently given instructions as follows: “If I should happen to doze and my condition becomes worse I beg of you to awaken me. I want to know that I am dying when the moment of death arrives.” The old worrier wished to be conscious for that supreme moment.
Two days before his death, our dear Father said to me: “I do not weep because I am going to die. No indeed, but I weep because I am leaving people who are dear to me. You must be aware that the good God has given me a heart with immense capacity and that He has allowed me to love all of you immensely with that heart. When I am no longer with you, there will be somebody who will take my place in authority, someone who will appreciate you according to your merits, but who will never love you as I have loved you.”
House where Eugene lived as bishop and where he died
The left wing of the Bishop's house. Saint Eugene died in the room with the balcony
For an Oblate this house reminds us of the Founder who God has given us. The man who wasn’t the chief commander or the boss but who has been always our father. When he was still alive he cared for the Oblates, he kept exchanging letters with them. He shared their joys and problems. We believe that the blessing he gave us from this house while on his deathbed was just a promise of his continuous intersession form heaven.
Unfortunately the house isn't owned by the Church any more. Not it is the office the Marseille Police headquarters. However police officers still say that they work in the bishop's house.
Unfortunately the house isn't owned by the Church any more. Not it is the office the Marseille Police headquarters. However police officers still say that they work in the bishop's house.
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