Once the missionaries had started to work outside of Provence, it became necessary to change their name. They had adopted “Oblates of St Charles,” no doubt to honor the Founder’s patron saint. Eugene, however, did not like this name. Of his own accord he decided to change it to Oblates of the most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary and needed the Pope’s permission for this change.
Such touching signs of the great protection on the part of Your Holiness is already a kind of approval; besides, the Society of Missionaries is pleased to regard them as an inalienable title, of which it hopes, with God’s grace, never to be unworthy.
At the same time, we ask Your Holiness that, in the Brief of Approval which the Missionaries request, you give them the name of Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary instead of Oblates of S[ain]t Charles: this to avoid any confusion of names with other Congregations; and further, if you are agreeable and if you approve, to make it clear that the Abbé de Mazenod, who was thereto named by unanimous vote of his co-workers, be and remain the superior of the Society of the Missionary (from now on called, if it pleases Your Holiness) Oblates of the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary.
The most humble, faithful and devoted son of Your Holiness,
The Abbé de Mazenod, Vicar General of Marseilles.
Petition to His Holiness Pope Leo XII, 8 December 1825, EO XIII n. 48
