The best-known and most-quoted of Eugene’s sermons is the first one, of which we have his preaching notes. In the opening extract, Eugene gives the reason for the Lenten preaching in Provençal:
In the course of this holy season there will be an abundance of instructions for the rich, people with an education, etc., but won’t there be any for the poor and unlettered? The Pastor’s love has seen to it that there will be; what a shame not to profit from the occasion.
Get them to admit that they do not understand very much of studied discourses, especially when they are addressed in French.
However the Gospel must be taught to all and it must be taught in such a way as to be understood.
The poor, a precious portion of the Christian family, cannot be abandoned to their ignorance.
Our divine Saviour attached such importance to this that he took on himself the responsibility of instructing them and he cited as proof of the divinity of his mission the fact that the poor were being evangelized, pauperes evangelizantur
Homily instructions in Provencal, given at the church of the Madeleine in 1813.
[Notes for the preliminary instruction]
O.W. XV n. 114