ONE MUST ACT AS IF SUCCESS DEPENDED ON OUR SKILL AND TO PUT IN GOD ALL OUR CONFIDENCE AS IF ALL OUR EFFORTS COULD PRODUCE NOTHING

Once the process of studying the Rules had begun, it was up to the group of Cardinals to discern and make their recommendation to the Pope. For the following six weeks, Eugene spent his time answering their questions and rushing from one cardinal’s office to another as each one worked on the text and needed clarification or made suggestions for change.

We have a procedure to follow and many formalities to perform which will take much time.

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

I am at present quietly getting ready for further operations; for one must remember the saying of St Ignatius that in affairs one must act as if success depended on our skill and to put in God all our confidence as if all our efforts could produce nothing. I admit nonetheless that after all that has happened up to now, I count only on the help of God and if I do my part, it is to observe formalities and not seem to tempt God. I have nothing more to tell you. I will have to leave you time to meditate a little on the ways of Providence and to thank God.

Letter to Henri Tempier in Marseilles, 29 December 1825, EO VI n 214