Eugene de Mazenod speaks to us

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

It is in the context of God’s graces in the favourable opinion of the Pope that Eugene writes these beautiful words calling us to renewal

Let us renew ourselves especially in devotion to the most holy Virgin and render ourselves worthy to be Oblates of the Immaculate Mary. But this is a passport to heaven! How have we not thought of it sooner? Avow that it will be as glorious as it will be consoling for us to be consecrated to her in a special manner and to bear her name. The Oblates of Mary! This name satisfies the heart and the ear. I must admit to you that I was quite surprised, when it was decided to take the name I had thought should be left aside, at being so impervious, at feeling so little pleasure, I would almost say a kind of repugnance, at bearing the name of a saint who is my particular protector, for whom I have so much devotion. And now I see the reason; we were remiss in regard to our Mother, our Queen, she who protects us and who must obtain for us all graces whereof her divine Son has made her the dispenser. So let us rejoice to bear her name and her insignia.

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

The Pope’s openness to the working of the Holy Spirit regarding our Rule places an obligation on us as Eugene stress to Fr Tempier and the Oblates in France:

Thus our cause is on its way, but if it has taken a great step initially, this is not to say that it is finished. Before God and as far as we are concerned, it is quite as if the Head of the Church has spoken, his will is known to us, but for it to have effect we have a procedure to follow and many formalities to perform which will take much time. Here I am then kept far from you and from our whole dear family. Believe me, this is a great sacrifice I make; but if ever it had to be, it is certainly at this time; yet if I make such a remark, it is not to complain about it, nor, God forbid, to murmur; but it is to let you know that I am only happy beside those whom the good God has given me. Let all of you redouble your fervour and exactitude for the observance of the Rules. You know that today they have taken on a more imperative character.

Try to respond to the expectations of the supreme Head of the Church, this is the means to draw down upon us and upon our holy ministry new blessings.

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

Two hundred years later this is the attitude that Eugene asks of each member of his Oblate Charismatic Family: to do our best to live by the spirituality and mission that is expressed in our Rule of Life.

Having shared the good news with the Oblates, Eugene continued to reflect joyfully, a joy which we recall ourselves on this bicentenary year:

Have you understood, dear friend, and may all of our dear Brothers grasp, the worth of this word uttered by the mouth of the Head of the Church of Jesus Christ! After I had submitted to his judgement the fundamental points of our Rules, after he had reflected two days on all my words, contrary to the conclusions of the one who made the report on this affair, it is then that he said: “No, I like this Institute, I wish to approve its Rules.” Favourable as doctor and judge, he wishes also to be a father: “Choose the mildest of the Cardinals of the Congregation … !” I could not hold back my tears, so touched was my heart by this goodness. It is something extraordinary and we can only be dumbfounded before God at this protection so little deserved considering my part in it) that all of you, my dear children, who serve the good God with right good will, have brought about for my consolation and the happiness of the whole Society.

On leaving the house of the Archpriest Adinolfi, I said a heartfelt “Te Deum laudamus” and entered the church where lies the body of Saint Joseph Calasanz, there to thank our Lord and pray him to finish his work.

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

Eugene continued his narration of his audience with the Pope:

This morning, at the time appointed, I betook myself to the Archpriest’s house who, in parenthesis, lives at the other extremity of the city. He received me immediately with good grace, dealt with some affairs in my presence with one of his secretaries, and then commenced to speak of our affair. He first read to me the succinct report that he had made to the Holy Father which, it must be said, basically contained my memoir and the essential points which ought to stand out but, as he had given me to understand the day before yesterday, he concluded in favour of the laudanda after the text had been examined to see if there was anything to change.

But, give praise to the goodness of God and unite yourselves, all of you, to me to thank him! Such was not the mind of the Holy Father: “No,” said the Pontiff, “This society pleases me; I know the good it does, etc., etc.” And he entered into multiple details which surprised the Archpriest to the uttermost. “I wish to favour it. Choose a Cardinal, one of the mildest of the Congregation, to be the ponent of this cause; go to him on my behalf and tell him my intention is not merely that these Rules be praised but that they be approved.” O Leo XII! Even were the Congregation to reject our Rules, you would nonetheless be considered for ever amongst us as the benefactor and the father of our Society.

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

Having delivered the Pope’s request and the Rule to Secretary Adinolfi, Eugene spent the next day at home praying for the success of Adinolfi’s audience with the Pope.

I continued to recommend it to God through the intercession of the holy Virgin, of the Angels and Saints and it is in this state of holy abandon that I waited to go and learn what was decided in this audience with the Pope, so vital to our interests…

I chose the recourse of going to pray to God in the (chapel) balcony, the while I supposed the audience was taking place, not that I had the foolish idea my prayers could produce the good effect that I desired, but because it seemed to me appropriate to recollect myself in the presence of Our Lord, somehow or other, while grace should work and the Holy Spirit should inspire the Head of the Church as to how he should decide our fate and the salvation of an infinity of souls.

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

Before following the Pope’s instructions and delivering the Rule to the Archpriest Adinolfi to begin the process of studying it, Eugene armed himself with fervent prayer.

As you can understand, our affairs were going forward too well for me to neglect to go the very next day to M. the Archpriest whom the Holy Father had bidden me to see on his behalf. It was December 21, a memorable day for me, as you know, for it is the anniversary of my ordination. I went early in the morning to offer the holy sacrifice in the grotto of the basilica of the Vatican, on the bodies of the holy Apostles. I was with a holy priest who has been called to the missions amongst the infidels. He served my Mass. I took my time and afforded myself the consolation of naming explicitly all those whose salvation interests me most on this precious tomb. I served the Mass of the future martyr for my thanksgiving; then, going up into the church of St. Peter, I took part in Matins and Lauds of the Chapter and went on my way, commending myself the while to all the saints in paradise, to the dwelling of the Archpriest Adinolfi.

I forgot to tell you that I had brought with me our precious volume and that I laid it on the confession of Saint Peter while my saintly companion offered the holy sacrifice, as I implored the head of the apostles and Saint Paul and the other holy Popes who are buried in the same place, to accept and bless them.

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

During the audience, the Pope then continued to tell Eugene:

The great number of these requests, which are coming to us especially from France, has made the Congregation adopt a particular mode of approbation, which consists of praising, of encouraging, without formally approving.” I was not afraid to manifest to the Holy Father that this mode would not satisfy me, and I dared to hope they would do something more for us.

Lest I did not retain the name of the secretary whom he designated to me, he extended his kindness to the point of looking in his desk for a half sheet of paper, he moved the pen and ink stand towards me and handed me the pen so that I might write at his dictation. “Go to M. the Archpriest (that was the secretary) on my behalf and tell him to make his report to me on Friday, which is the day of his audience.”

Before leaving the Pope, Eugene had one last request:

As you will understand, I kept nothing from the Holy Father… “Does your Holiness approve that the Society take the name of ‘Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary’ instead of that of ‘Oblates of Saint Charles’ which it had previously taken?” – The Pope said neither yes or no; I think I understood that he said it should be put in the report. I did not insist on explaining the matter further because it was the least important thing and we could wait without inconvenience. This change has seemed necessary to me in order not to be confused with an infinite number of communities which bear the same name.

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