Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us

But let us leave these reflections aside so as to stop and consider only the infinite goodness of God and the designs of his Providence on our behalf.

From the beginning, the odds were against a favorable response to Eugene’s request for papal approval. The official policy was to encourage and bless – but not to give a formal legal approval. When the Pope met Eugene, he was captivated by the way in which it was clear that God had inspired the missionary zeal of the Oblates and kept it alive.

Do you realize that nothing ever has been seen so astonishing as this? Those whose duty it is to deal with such matters are the first to make this remark and to be all the more surprised with the happy outcome of the steps we took, all of them inspired, directed, blessed by God, inasmuch as the policy was no longer to do anything of the sort and I, being right here engaged in my quest with the aid of the Master of all hearts, have seen the requests of several others come to nothing and not obtain what they were seeking.

Since God had acted for the Oblates, the Oblates now had the duty and the responsibility to respond in an equally generous way:

The conclusion to be drawn from this, my dear friends and good brothers, is: we must work, with renewed ardor and still more total devotedness, to bring to God all the glory that stems from our efforts and, to the needy souls of our neighbors, salvation in all possible ways;

Letter to Henri Tempier and all the Oblates, 18 February 1826, EO VII n 226

“It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert.” Jacques Yves Cousteau

As Eugene shares the good news of our approbation with the Oblates, he reflects on the meaning of this event. The Pope recognized the work of God, a charism of the Holy Spirit, in bringing the Oblates into existence.

Everyone is amazed at this. Even those called upon to contribute with their votes to the execution of the very emphatic will of the Pope, are surprised by the unanimous agreement of views and especially with the unchangeable resolution of the Holy Father, whom nothing has been able to deter from the first thought with which the Holy Spirit inspired him on the first day that I knelt at his feet and presented to him the plan of this undertaking which now we can call divine.

The Pope knew everything and weighed everything in his profound wisdom. We have not here the decisions the view, the approbation of a certain few, of certain Prelates: we have the decisions the view, the approbation of the Head of the Church… The document of approval which is going to be delivered to us will also be, in a way, the work of the Holy Father in the sense that he himself decided on several things to be inserted in it.

Letter to Henri Tempier and all the Oblates, 18 February 1826, EO VII n 226

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”     Isaiah 41:13-14

The long-awaited goal of the papal approval of the Oblate Congregation was on the point of being achieved. The board of cardinals had voted positively and all that was needed was the signature of the Pope. Eugene writes to Henri Tempier to share his joy and gratitude

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.

He then shows how conscious he was of God’s guiding presence in the affair.

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 proposals 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: Placuit ei et invenit gratiam in conspectu illius.[ Esther 2:9 “She pleased him and won his favor.”] It is true that I have always put all my confidence in the goodness of God.

Letter to Henri Tempier, 16 February 1826, EO VII n 224

“Through the humbling dispensations of Divine Providence, men are sometimes fitted for his service.”       John Woolman