EUGENE PLACED THE RULE AT THE TOMB OF PETER AND IMPLORED HIM AND SAINT PAUL AND THE OTHER HOLY POPES WHO ARE BURIED IN THE SAME PLACE, TO ACCEPT AND BLESS THEM.

Before following the Pope’s instructions and delivering the Rule to the Archpriest Adinolfi to begin the process of studying it, Eugene armed himself with fervent prayer.

As you can understand, our affairs were going forward too well for me to neglect to go the very next day to M. the Archpriest whom the Holy Father had bidden me to see on his behalf. It was December 21, a memorable day for me, as you know, for it is the anniversary of my ordination. I went early in the morning to offer the holy sacrifice in the grotto of the basilica of the Vatican, on the bodies of the holy Apostles. I was with a holy priest who has been called to the missions amongst the infidels. He served my Mass. I took my time and afforded myself the consolation of naming explicitly all those whose salvation interests me most on this precious tomb. I served the Mass of the future martyr for my thanksgiving; then, going up into the church of St. Peter, I took part in Matins and Lauds of the Chapter and went on my way, commending myself the while to all the saints in paradise, to the dwelling of the Archpriest Adinolfi.

I forgot to tell you that I had brought with me our precious volume and that I laid it on the confession of Saint Peter while my saintly companion offered the holy sacrifice, as I implored the head of the apostles and Saint Paul and the other holy Popes who are buried in the same place, to accept and bless them.

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