Eugene went to St Peter\u2019s basilica to attend the beatification ceremony of a Capuchin \u2013 expressing his admiration for a fellow mission preacher. At the end of the ceremony he saw Pope Leo XII for the first time.<\/p>\n
\nI must go to bed for it is midnight. But I must tell you that I missed the post this morning for I had not written much of this letter before I had to leave for Saint Peter\u2019s where I wished to attend the beatification of the blessed Angelo d\u2019Acri, Capuchin missionary. Here is another of these missionaries beatified; they all have the same method and in ten or twelve days put on a mission for you with all that belongs or goes with it. That gives us courage and hope.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I had been assured that the Pope would come down to pray before the newly Blessed and indeed that is what happened. So I had the consolation of being present for the inaugural ceremony for this saint, to whom I commended myself strongly, placing all of you under his protection, as well as the happiness of seeing and contemplating at leisure the Head of the Church. I cannot describe to you the impression made on my soul by the Vicar of Jesus Christ. I looked at him, it is true, with eyes of a lively faith; so I experienced feelings that were certainly not shared by most of the people close to me who only looked out of curiosity. He prayed with great fervor and I quietly united myself to him.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 18 December 1825, EO VI n 212<\/em><\/p>\n
In his personal Diary he confided his thoughts:<\/p>\n
\nI was able to leisurely savor the Holy Pontiff who prayed with angelic fervor at his kneeler. I united my prayers to his\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I glanced at the whole audience. I saw many who were looking with curiosity and even with interest; but did not recognize any others who shared the sentiments of profound veneration, mixed with kindly affection, which filled my soul. Such is the result of a faith-filled habit of regarding the Pope.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Roman Diary, 18 December 1825, EO XVII<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new pope knows that his task is to make the light of Christ shine before men and women of world – not his own light, but that of Christ.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene went to St Peter\u2019s basilica to attend the beatification ceremony of a Capuchin \u2013 expressing his admiration for a fellow mission preacher. At the end of the ceremony he saw Pope Leo XII for the first time. I must … Continue reading