THE DECISIVE MOMENT WHEN THE POPE RECOGNIZED THE WORK OF GOD IN OUR CHARISM

As Eugene was enthusiastically narrating to Pope Leo XII all the good that was being done by his missionary family in France, he continued:

You would have been touched, my dear friend, to see, while I spoke, how this holy Pontiff raised his eyes towards heaven, then joined his hands and bowed his head on them clasped together, glowing with gratitude and thanking God with all his heart. It seemed to me that this invocation alone would draw new graces on our ministry.

Letter to Henri Tempier in Marseilles, 22 December 1825, EO VII n. 213

I find this moment extremely significative As Eugene was describing all that was being achieved, the Pope spontaneously entered into grateful prayer. I believe that this was the moment when the Pope recognized the inspiration and presence of God in what he was hearing. It was this moment that would lead him to decide to grant his approbation through the due process that would be observed.