LIVING WITH SUCH HOLY PEOPLE

Eugene was living at San Silvestro during this time and wrote about some of the older priests he spoke to who were an inspiration to him

I am grateful to God for having placed me in a situation where I could marvel at such sustained good conduct. There is only one thing that really bothers me, that, even though I am far behind them in virtue, they all smother me with every sort of consideration and treat me with respect I certainly do not merit.

He then refers to St. Giuseppe Maria Tomasi, of the Theatine Regular clergy who had been beatified in 1803, and was canonized the following century in 1986.

Besides living with such holy people, there is another remarkable circumstance which often during the day furnishes me with some good thoughts; that is, that Blessed Tomasi lived forty years in this same house, which seems to be completely imbued with the good odour of his virtues, and that my venerable master, venerable Don Bartolo Zinelli died here in the odour of sanctity, since they attribute several miracles and various prophecies to him; I came across the plaster mould that retraced his features, and his body rests in the church where I have the daily good fortune of celebrating holy Mass.

Roman Diary, 15 December 1825, EO XVII