Monthly Archives: November 2013

I LOOKED AT THE POPE WITH EYES OF A LIVELY FAITH

Eugene went to St Peter’s basilica to attend the beatification ceremony of a Capuchin – expressing his admiration for a fellow mission preacher. At the end of the ceremony he saw Pope Leo XII for the first time. I must … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY, LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

THE PEOPLE OF PROVENCE CANNOT SWALLOW THE DETESTABLE OIL THEY EAT IN ROME

A touch of Provencal gastronomic superiority – and a touch of virtue! It is a pleasure! Here at least, my dear Tempier, the days of fasting are days of penance, especially for Provençals who cannot, whatever effort they make, swallow … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

THAT IS WHAT MY HEART IS LIKE, IT CANNOT FORGET ANYONE IT LOVES, LIVING OR DEAD

Another personal reflection from Eugene’s Roman Diary: Today again I fulfilled what is prescribed to gain the jubilee indulgence for the holy souls in purgatory, according to the indult granted to this effect by the Supreme Pontiff. I visited the … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A SOCIETY WITH ELDERS IS HEALTHY

Because Eugene’s Roman Diary was meant to be a private journal recording his impressions, it gives us precious insights into some of his views. In this entry he speaks about two of the older Lazarist priests in the house where … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged | 1 Comment

I FELT A REAL PLEASURE IN MAKING THE STREETS OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD RE-ECHO MY VOICE, SINGING THE PRAISES OF GOD.

Eugene, the pilgrim, describes another of his special experiences in Christian Rome. We returned to the Mattei palace where Monsignor d’Isoard stays; we had a light lunch and quickly got back into the carriage to go in procession to Saint … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | 1 Comment

I HAVE AN INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR SEEING CHURCH CEREMONIES WHEN THEY ARE CARRIED OUT WITH DIGNITY

Returning to St Peter’s for a ceremony, Eugene expressed a conviction that accompanied him throughout his life: the necessity for church ceremonies to be celebrated with dignity. As Vicar General and then as Bishop of Marseille, he vehemently insisted on … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged | 1 Comment

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING WE CAN EXPERIENCE IS THE MYSTERIOUS

While waiting for the audience with the Pope, Eugene continued to visit the holy places of Rome. In his diary he often expresses his awe at some of the places or at celebrations. After leaving His Eminence, I went into … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged , | 1 Comment

PRAY AS THOUGH EVERYTHING DEPENDED ON GOD – WORK AS THOUGH EVERYTHING DEPENDED ON YOU.

Writing to Henri Tempier, from Rome: The Cardinal Secretary of State having said he would receive me at nine o’clock, I was at the stroke of this hour in his salon where he did not delay in receiving me with … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged , | 1 Comment

IT WOULD BE VERY FOOLISH TO DO GOOD IN ORDER TO GAIN A GOOD REPUTATION AMONG PEOPLE

Working in preparation for his meeting with the Pope, Eugene describes his meeting with the Cardinal Secretary of State (basically the Pope’s second-in-command), whom he had met during the Pope’s imprisonment by Napoleon in Paris. It became an opportunity to … Continue reading

Posted in DIARY | Tagged | 3 Comments

BUILDING A SUPPORT BASE IN THE FACE OF OBSTACLES

The prevalent feeling in Rome was that the Pope was not formally approving any new religious congregations. Instead he would give a blessing to the work and encourage them to continue – only by “graces and indulgences”. Eugene needed the … Continue reading

Posted in LETTERS | Tagged | 1 Comment