I HAVE ARMED MYSELF WITH ALL NATURAL AND SUPERNATURAL AIDS

Writing to his confidant, Henri Tempier, Eugene speaks of the efforts he has made to prepare for the visit to the Pope. Above all, he prayed fervently for the success of this mission.

When will my return be possible? I shall soon know for the Pope is expecting me; everyone has announced my visit to him and still I do not appear before him. It is on purpose that I did not wish to present myself before some Cardinals and other principal Prelates would have spoken to him about me. Now I can delay no longer and all the more so because when Mgr. Mazio asked for an audience for me, he had the kindness to say to this prelate: “But I am waiting for him; the Cardinal Secretary has already informed me.” If you only knew how apprehensive I am on seeing the moment come when I shall explain to him the principal purpose of my journey! Another person would perhaps be satisfied with having obtained what has already been granted very willingly and, I assure you, would know full well that so he should be.

 In any event, I have armed myself with all natural and supernatural aids by praying, asking for prayers, offering the holy sacrifice, invoking all the saints with all the fervour I could call upon. God will now guide his Vicar’s heart. I shall neglect nothing in explaining my request, nothing whatever that is apt to make the most impression on his mind; I have put down in writing the principal points and shall leave them in his hands. But if there is a general policy that opposes us, we must be resigned and consider ourselves fortunate to have what we have already obtained. One of my motives for wishing to delay in presenting myself was to have already in hand what I have mentioned above, just in case.

Letter to Henri Tempier in Marseilles, 18 December 1825, EO VII n. 212.