ALL MY STEPS, ALL MY OVERTURES SEEMED GUIDED BY A SUPERNATURAL LIGHT WHICH LED ME TO DO AND SAY PRECISELY WHAT WAS NECESSARY

For Eugene the approbation was nothing short of a miracle. It was clear that God’s providence had guided all involved. Today is exactly 200 years, to the day, since Eugene wrote this letter. Two centuries later, we too are invited to give thanks for all God’s providential actions in our lives.

Hush! dear Tempier, I speak to you softly yet loud enough for you to hear. Yesterday, the 15th of the month of February of the year of grace 1826, the Congregation of Cardinals, assembled under the presidency of Cardinal Pacca, prefect, has unanimously approved the Rules, except for slight modifications proposed by the Cardinal “ponent,” the judgement of the Congregation being that our Holy Father the Pope grant the brief of approbation in good and due form…

Let us acknowledge that the conduct of divine Providence in this matter has been admirable and that none of us should ever become oblivious of how evident his protection has been. Perhaps never in matters like this has anyone seen hearts, of which God has decidedly shown himself to be master, disposed as they have been. First, that of the Sovereign Pontiff, and then that of everyone who has had to deal with this matter. All my steps, all my overtures seemed guided by a supernatural light which led me to do and say precisely what was necessary to please, to persuade. One could say of me, as of Esther, in regard to each of those with whom I had to deal: “she pleased him and found favor in his sight.”

Letter to Henri Tempier, 16 February 1826