THE EXPERIENCE OF ALMOST TEN YEARS PROVES THAT THESE RULES ARE SUITABLE FOR HELPING THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY ACHIEVE THE GOALS THEY HAVE SET FOR THEMSELVES

In his petition to the Pope, Eugene stressed the benefits which their Rule had brought to the Missionaries. Now he asked that the Pope fortify their mission by giving the Rule his approval.

Now this family of which Your Holiness is the beloved father, this family completely devoted to the Church, to the Holy Apostolic See and to the sacred person of Your Holiness, begs you to add to the foresaid benefits already granted that of giving it a consistence which it cannot acquire except from Your Holiness, from whom it confidently awaits the formal approval that Your Holiness will deign to give to its Rules.

 The experience of almost ten years proves that these Rules are suitable for helping the members of the Society achieve the goals they have set for themselves. The approval of seven noteworthy bishops such as the Archbishop of Aix and the Bishops of Marseilles, Gap, Digne, Fréjus, Nimes and Nice are a second guarantee, equally certain, that the Missionaries dare to present to Your Holiness.

 Most Holy Father, deign to affix the final seal and consolidate for ever such an important work by fortifying it with pontifical approval and your apostolic blessing.

Petition to His Holiness Pope Leo XII, 8 December 1825, EO XIII n. 48