During the weeks leading up to the papal approbation, Eugene had prayed constantly and fervently for God’s will to be accomplished through the various people involved. Now, looking back, he affirms with gratitude that God was present throughout:
The more I think about our case, the more I recognize the hand of God in it, and His action has also been recognized by all those who have been the instruments of His mercy upon us.
To think that we are the only ones favored in this way, and that it is the Pope who has done everything. …Not only does the Pope approve our Congregation, but he also establishes it: “Constituimus”
Letter to Fr. Tempier in Marseilles, 20 March 1826, EO VII n. 231
How often we pray for particular intentions and afterwards forget to look back acknowledging that God was at work. The history of our lives can be read as a history of salvation – as we look back, we are invited to become increasingly more aware of the hand of God at work in every aspect of our lives.
