UP TO THIS MOMENT, IT ALL BEARS THE MARK OF A SPECIAL PROTECTION

Eugene invites us to share in his sense of wonder with him at how events were turning out in his favor, despite many obstacles.

When I reflect on how our enterprise is going forward, I am filled with admiration for the goodness of God and feel carried away with feelings of great gratitude. Up to this moment, it all bears the mark of a special protection.

Who could have disposed the Head of the Church to decide to make a unique exception for us? Who inspires him to perceive that all I propose to him is good? Again yesterday, to whom are we indebted for his having consented without the slightest difficulty to dispense me from the interminable examination of eight Cardinals, whom it would perhaps have been difficult to induce to abandon for our sake a system adopted for all the others, and authorize Cardinal Pacca to hold in his house a small congregation of three Cardinals…

It is God, master of all hearts, moved by the powerful mediation of his Son, Our Lord. Thus the matter now stands, dear friend, whence you will understand how much it has been simplified. Now it is up to Cardinal Pacca to convoke at his house, whenever he wishes, his little congregation. Although he is rather slow, it cannot drag on much longer.

Letter to Fr Tempier, 20 January 1826, EO VII n. 219