From Jeancard’s Melanges Historiques, we possess detailed information concerning the visit to the Grande Aumonerie [ed. In Paris, he directed the Religious branch of the royal household and handled the nominations of French Bishops]. Cardinal de Croy, the Grand Almoner, was amazed to find the former Canon spry and vigorous, having been led to expect the exact opposite. After complimenting the successor to Saint Lazarus on his “youthful old age,” His Eminence added: “Had I not thought that you were bowed down by the weight of years, we would not have consented to your nephew’s remaining with you; he too would have been called to occupy an episcopal see at the same time that you were called. But, what was not done can still be done.” “That is impossible,” replied the bishop-elect; “my nephew is indispensable. I must keep him with me.”
Speaking for himself, Father de Mazenod was no less peremptory in rejecting the Cardinal’s proposal, supporting his refusal with a supplementary reason—the vital interests of his new-born Society of the Missions in Provence. The Grand Aumonier still refused to take no for an answer and a few days later tried a second time, by offering the Founder the diocese of Chalons-sur-Marne. Again, and for the same motives, the uncle and nephew refused and the Prince de Croy gave in provisionally: “Very well, then, Monseigneur; since you insist on keeping your nephew with you, I shall let you have him. But remember, this is merely a loan.”
Leflon Volume 2, Chapter 6
The diocese of Marseille had been closed down by the Revolution and had been administered by the Archbishop of Aix. Consequently it had had no resident bishop for 21 years and no diocesan structures. During their time in Paris, while waiting for the papal and civic formalities to be completed before Fortuné could be ordained bishop, uncle and nephew spent their time setting up the structures, consulting people regarding appointments to staff the seminary, compose the cathedral chapter, arrange finances for the restoration of the bishop’s palace etc.
“When you get to be President, there are all those things, the honors, the twenty-one gun salutes, all those things. You have to remember it isn’t for you. It’s for the Presidency.” Harry S. Truman
I find myself grinning in delight at today’s writings and I am not entirely sure why. Perhaps it is in response to “But remember, this is merely a loan.” No matter God will have God’s way and it is interesting to see that Cardinal de Croy saw in Eugene something extra special that could only help the church. As for Eugene, well he remained faithful and strong to his as-yet early congregation, his society of missionaries, the poor whom he loved so dearly and to his beloved church. I see running in and around him those lines of fire, to and from and around, becoming stronger, like steel cables used to hold spans of bridges together.
The why of his doing it – the why we “are” and “do”, each of us. We might start out with it being a 50/50 type of deal – 50% for God and 50% for ourselves. If I’m being honest with myself the percentage for myself might be even grander. But eventually that side, the ego side, starts to lessen and grow weaker, less dominant. Sort of like those cables of steel, that have forged and heated and reshaped, burning of many of the impurities. Incredibly strong. It’s truly “all” about God, inside and outside, all about God. The grin has quietly changed and become an ever deepening smile.