When Eugene established the congregation of youth in Aix, he was very careful to maintain good relations with the local clergy. The increasing number of youngsters met every Thursday and Sunday as from March 1813. On Sundays and holydays of obligation they would have Mass together and then each member was to go to his parish and attend Mass there. In this way, no one could accuse Eugene of “stealing” their flock. Eugene also insisted that the youth participate in the major activities of their respective parishes.
For the first years of the existence of the Youth Congregation, the local priests could see the good that was being done and appreciated Eugene’s talents. A letter written by one of the local pastors attests to this:
You have a lot of zeal and a particular talent for attracting young people. If you could do me the favour of preaching the First Communion retreat in my parish, you would do an infinite amount of good and that these good young people will give you the consolation that you would have the right to expect.
Letter from M. Honorat, a pastor in Aix, 30 April 1815,
in Rey, “Histoire…” Volume 1, p. 173