On 13 January 1823 Eugene\u2019s 73 year-old uncle, Fortun\u00e9 de Mazenod, was named Bishop of Marseille. It was a step that was to change the life of Eugene. This nomination was a cause of rejoicing among the Missionaries, as the biographer Rey explains:<\/p>\n
The good canon, already vested in the cope, was preparing to officiate at Vespers at the Mission Church at Aix, when an envelope, bearing the stamp and seal of the Grande Aumonerie, was handed to him. Without opening it, he calmly slipped it into his pocket and serenely walked out to begin the Divine Office. “We already knew of this dispatch,” recalled Bishop Jeancard, \u201cand naturally, we were all curious to learn its contents, but it was only after Vespers, followed by Father Courtes’ sermon and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, that the prelate broke the seal, and read the official notice of his nomination, his definitive call to the bishopric of Marseilles. . . . The Bishop-elect showed a slight emotion and then went directly to the foot of the altar without paying heed to our congratulations; there he prostrated himself before the Blessed Sacrament and remained thus for some time. For him and for all the Missionaries of Provence, it was the end of an uncertainty of the most worrisome kind.<\/em><\/p>\n Leflon 2, Chapter 5<\/p>\n See the entries above (22 to 29 August, 2011) regarding the initial nomination of Fortun\u00e9 in 1817.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “If you look up into His face and say, “Yes, Lord, whatever it costs,” at that moment He’ll flood your Life with His presence and power.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Alan Redpath<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On 13 January 1823 Eugene\u2019s 73 year-old uncle, Fortun\u00e9 de Mazenod, was named Bishop of Marseille. It was a step that was to change the life of Eugene. This nomination was a cause of rejoicing among the Missionaries, as the … Continue reading