Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us

After announcing the good news of the approbation, Eugene then shared with his most-trusted confidant, a beautiful insight into the relationship he had with his Savior throughout this process.

It is true that I have always put all my confidence in the goodness of God. As I have told you, I offered the Holy Sacrifice every day for this intention; I constantly invoked the holy Virgin and all the saints, but especially the sovereign Mediator, to whose glory all our intentions are directed; and I ought to avow, if ever I have prayed as much, never have I prayed with so much consolation (effect of an absolute but filial confidence) to the point of speaking to our Lord as I dare believe I would have done had I had the happiness of living when he moved about this earth to spread his goodness and grant to each what he asked. It was especially at communion, when our divine Saviour is on the point of giving us the utmost proof of his love that I was prompted to abandon myself to all the sentiments that his divine presence and the immensity of his mercy, never better felt than when I see him not disdaining a sinner like me, inspired at that precious moment in my miserable soul.

These same sentiments were renewed when I presented myself before him to adore him, whether at my hour of adoration, whether on appearing before him as I left or entered the house, still again on visits I tried to make often during the Forty Hours, or in other churches where the holy Sacrament was exposed. But I ought to let you know that such confidence and sentiments were all due, after the grace which inspired them, to the thought that I was asking something in keeping with the will of God, apt to procure his glory, the salvation of souls and the good of the Church, and also because I regarded myself as the interpreter of all of you and because I felt, so to speak, borne along by the prayers, merits and works of the whole Society.

Letter to Fr Tempier, 16 February 1826, EO VII n. 224

At this very time when we celebrate the bicentenary of this event, let us allow ourselves to be transformed by St Eugene to share in his gratitude and in his touching relationship with God. This is what he meant when he cried out, “In the name of God be saints!”

Eugene’s announcement of the Pope’s approbation begins with the words of praise of the Church’s Te Deum hymn:

“We praise you, O God: we acknowledge you to be the Lord. All the earth worships you, the Father everlasting. Day by day we bless you; and we praise your Name for ever, yes, for ever and ever.” (Te Deum)

My dear friend, my dear brothers, on February 17, 1826, yesterday evening, the Sovereign Pontiff Leo XII confirmed the decision of the congregation of Cardinals and specifically approved the Institute, the Rules and Constitutions of the Missionary Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, and accompanied this solemn act of his pontifical power, with most admiring words for those who happily form this Society from which the head of the Church indeed expects the greatest good.

Letter to Fr Tempier, 18 February 1826, EO VII n. 226

Today as we celebrate the 200^th anniversary of this very day, we are invited to praise and thank God for all the blessings that our Oblate Charismatic Family has received for two centuries, and  to thank God for an awe-inspiring missionary contribution to the Church in 67 countries. Indeed, “We praise you, O God: we acknowledge you to be the Lord!”

For Eugene the approbation was nothing short of a miracle. It was clear that God’s providence had guided all involved. Today is exactly 200 years, to the day, since Eugene wrote this letter. Two centuries later, we too are invited to give thanks for all God’s providential actions in our lives.

Hush! dear Tempier, I speak to you softly yet loud enough for you to hear. Yesterday, the 15th of the month of February of the year of grace 1826, the Congregation of Cardinals, assembled under the presidency of Cardinal Pacca, prefect, has unanimously approved the Rules, except for slight modifications proposed by the Cardinal “ponent,” the judgement of the Congregation being that our Holy Father the Pope grant the brief of approbation in good and due form…

Let us acknowledge that the conduct of divine Providence in this matter has been admirable and that none of us should ever become oblivious of how evident his protection has been. Perhaps never in matters like this has anyone seen hearts, of which God has decidedly shown himself to be master, disposed as they have been. First, that of the Sovereign Pontiff, and then that of everyone who has had to deal with this matter. All my steps, all my overtures seemed guided by a supernatural light which led me to do and say precisely what was necessary to please, to persuade. One could say of me, as of Esther, in regard to each of those with whom I had to deal: “she pleased him and found favor in his sight.”

Letter to Henri Tempier, 16 February 1826

Writing to Father Tempier, Eugene narrated what had happened on the previous day, February 15.

Yesterday I did not waste a minute. I said Mass early, and then visited Cardinal Pedicini to inform him of Cardinal Pallotta’s remarks and my replies to them. From there I called on the Archbishop of Ancyra, and without drawing breath, hurried on to tell Cardinal Pacca that I would be waiting in the church of Santa Maria in Campitelli, opposite his palace, while the Congregation was in session. Coming out, I asked them to send me word when the meeting ended; they forgot, so I had time to hear nine Masses. However I assure you that, being prepared for a long wait, I did not find the time long at all; on the contrary, I was quite happy in this beautiful church, occupied as one would wish to be occupied always.

However, when I realized it was impossible that the Cardinals should still be in session, I left the church. It was one o’clock. In fact, the meeting had ended more than an hour earlier. I waited till evening to get some news of the result from the Archbishop Secretary. As he was not in the first time I called, I returned later, and, with his usual goodwill towards me, he told me everything had gone wonderfully well, and the Congregation had approved [the recommendation], with some modifications which he would put before me. We set to work immediately, and continued to work for more than two hours. He wielded the pen and wrote down our determinations with his own hand.

Letter to Fr Tempier, 16 February 1826, EO VII n. 224

This morning, my first concern after saying Holy Mass was to pay a visit to Cardinal Pedicini to inform him about the conversation I had yesterday with Cardinal Pallotta, and give him the notes that I had written out in reply to some observations he had made to me. From there, I rushed to get to Cardinal Pacca in time to tell him a few things before the other cardinals gathered at his place. I informed his Eminence that I would stay in the church of Campitelli during their meeting so that, if they should need me, they could get a hold of me quickly, since that church is right across from the Cardinal’s palace.

As I was going out, I requested that they let me know as soon as the meeting was over. That is exactly what they forgot to do, so that I was able to hear nine masses, one after the other, entirely at peace without being disturbed. Well! Can I say it? I have never felt more at home in a church. I had made the decision on entering that I would pray wholeheartedly while the cardinals were discussing our business matters. The time seemed short to me. I left the church at one o’clock since I knew they had forgotten me, because I could not presume that the cardinals would put off their lunch that long on a fast day. I came home to have mine, gobbled it down quickly and spent two hours this evening working with the Archbishop Secretary on what they had decided this morning at their meeting.

Eugene invites us to share in his sense of wonder with him at how events were turning out in his favor, despite many obstacles.

When I reflect on how our enterprise is going forward, I am filled with admiration for the goodness of God and feel carried away with feelings of great gratitude. Up to this moment, it all bears the mark of a special protection.

Who could have disposed the Head of the Church to decide to make a unique exception for us? Who inspires him to perceive that all I propose to him is good? Again yesterday, to whom are we indebted for his having consented without the slightest difficulty to dispense me from the interminable examination of eight Cardinals, whom it would perhaps have been difficult to induce to abandon for our sake a system adopted for all the others, and authorize Cardinal Pacca to hold in his house a small congregation of three Cardinals…

It is God, master of all hearts, moved by the powerful mediation of his Son, Our Lord. Thus the matter now stands, dear friend, whence you will understand how much it has been simplified. Now it is up to Cardinal Pacca to convoke at his house, whenever he wishes, his little congregation. Although he is rather slow, it cannot drag on much longer.

Letter to Fr Tempier, 20 January 1826, EO VII n. 219

Oblation means self-surrender to God – an attitude that Eugene was living fully in Rome.

Let us continue to pray, my dear friend, and let us not cease to put our confidence in God. It is for him alone to rule and dispose all things according to his infinite wisdom for the greater glory of his name. I must admit that never in my life have I understood as well as now the value of self-surrender to God, never have I felt more disposed to put this virtue (for such it is) into practice as in the present circumstances. The true Christian should never dispense himself therefrom. Oh! how well off I now find myself through having done all I could do to make a habit of it. That does not prevent me from praying heartily to obtain what I think is good; on the contrary, I pray with more confidence, and with a kind of assurance that I will be heard.

Letter to Fr Tempier, 20 January 1826, EO VII n. 219

In the city of Rome with its numerous monuments to the saints, Eugene turned to every one of them to ask their intercession for a successful approbation of the Rule:

You know that since my arrival at Rome, I have been offering the Holy Sacrifice for the success of our cause and never come before the holy sacrament without speaking of it to our Lord. I never invoke a saint without begging him to be our intercessor and even recite, if somewhat badly, certain prayers to this end such as the litanies of the saints and others similar. Moreover, I neglect no means that human prudence can suggest; I spare myself from no endeavours and allow my mind no rest in trying to second the designs of divine Providence. Up until now, everything has succeeded beyond our hopes. Yet the good God has permitted some alarm and has left room for some anxiety but he has not taken away our confidence; on the contrary, in sorrowful moments, prayer has taken on more tenderness and I dare say almost the familiarity… of a child towards a father.

Letter to Fr Tempier, 20 January 1826, EO VII n. 219

While Eugene was busily occupied with all that was necessary to bring the process of approbation of the Rule to a successful conclusion, he was aware that in doing God’s work it was essential that he consciously remain as close to God as possible.

I begin, my dear Fr. Tempier, by rectifying a statement of my last letter which would be too absurd and ridiculous were I not writing in intimacy and trustfulness to a friend, the confidant of my most secret thoughts; certainly I would not have let it slip out with any other person. When I said I was not sinning, I meant to say that I was sinning less; the reason for this is quite simple. First, while busy with our affairs, I have tried my best to profit from all the extraordinary and manifold graces of the Jubilee. Besides, everything here reminds me of the great examples of the saints who seem to be still living for those who go about this city with a modicum of faith.

Moreover, having in my hands an affair of the utmost importance, of which the consequences must so influence the building up of the Church, the glorifying of God and the sanctifying of souls, an affair that hell must thwart and which can only succeed thanks to a very special protection from God, to whom alone belongs the power to touch the hearts and guide the wills of men, I have had of necessity to convince myself that it is my duty to do all in my power to live in the most intimate state of union with God that I possibly can and be resolved in consequence to be faithful to his grace and not give cause for grief to his spirit.

As things stand at present, the least voluntary infidelity would seem to me a crime, not only because it would be displeasing to God, which doubtless would be the worst evil, but still more because of the consequences it could bring about.

Letter to Fr Tempier in Marseilles, 10 January 1826, EO VII n. 217

Eugene was very conscious of the importance of the approbation of the Rule for the mission of the Oblates in making known the Kingdom of God. He was aware of the presence of God in what he was doing and constantly placed his confidence in God’s providence. These passages give us an insight into Eugene’s soul.

I should add that since my departure from France and especially since I have been at Rome, the good God helps me with everything in so tangible a manner that I cannot see how it would be possible not to keep in my soul a constant feeling of gratitude which prompts me to praise, to bless, to thank God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and in due proportion the holy Virgin, the holy Angels and the Saints to whom I believe myself indebted for the protection and the consolations that are mine. That in no way impedes me from confessing twice a week and constantly finding greater or lesser reason for humbling myself before God …

Letter to Fr Tempier in Marseilles, 10 January 1826, EO VII n. 217

Once the process of studying the Rules had begun, it was up to the group of Cardinals to discern and make their recommendation to the Pope. For the following six weeks, Eugene spent his time answering their questions and rushing from one cardinal’s office to another as each one worked on the text and needed clarification or made suggestions for change.

We have a procedure to follow and many formalities to perform which will take much time.

Letter to Henri Tempier in Marseilles, 22 December 1825, EO VII n. 213

I am at present quietly getting ready for further operations; for one must remember the saying of St Ignatius that in affairs one must act as if success depended on our skill and to put in God all our confidence as if all our efforts could produce nothing. I admit nonetheless that after all that has happened up to now, I count only on the help of God and if I do my part, it is to observe formalities and not seem to tempt God. I have nothing more to tell you. I will have to leave you time to meditate a little on the ways of Providence and to thank God.

Letter to Henri Tempier in Marseilles, 29 December 1825, EO VI n 214