From the moment that Eugene had consigned the Oblate Rule to the cardinals for their examination and judgment, his days in Rome were filled with running around from one office to another during the day, and meeting people at gatherings in the evenings. Some examples from among numerous texts:<\/p>\n
\nI still have many errands to run; it is true that one often has time to rest in waiting rooms or salons for I must say I am never left long in an antechamber. That would be nothing if one were to finish by obtaining what one is so justified in requesting; but I am afraid my time and trouble will be wasted.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 1 January 1826, EO VII n 215<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0It kept on raining today; but this time it did not stop me from going out to tend to my business matters. That is why I went to see, one after another, the commisary Colonna, Cardinal Pedicini, Archbishop Caprano of Icone at the Propaganda, Cardinal De Gregorio, Bishop d\u2019Argenteau, Cardinal Pacca and lastly, as every day, Monsignor d\u2019Isoard, Dean of the Rota.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Roman Diary, 12 January 1826, EO XVII<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0Most evenings he was invited to receptions and dinners at the homes of cardinals, the French Ambassador and other personalities in the city. He did not enjoy these at all, but they were important moments to build relationships within the Church for the benefit of the Oblate Congregation and its mission, and for the Diocese of Marseille.<\/p>\n
\nWere I at Rome only to while some time pleasantly away in amusing myself and receiving very flattering testimonies of esteem and consideration from most distinguished personages, I certainly would have reason to be very satisfied for I am abashed by all they do for me and the opinion of me they have kindly conceived, no doubt because of my label [ed. as Vicar General of Matseille]. Since the beginning of January, I have not dined three times at the house, I do not know when all these goings on will finish but I am engaged again until Thursday and on that day, it will be with the Cardinal of whom I have spoken to you. I do not know in whose company I shall find myself at his house. We\u2019ll see. But that is not why I am here and I am utterly wearied by the delay which our affair is suffering.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0Letter to Henri Tempier, 13 January 1826, EO VII n 218<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0Judge for yourself how resigned I need to be to bear with patience the sight of myself here going from one engagement to another, from dinner with his Eminence to that of His Excellency, from Cardinals to Ambassadors, from Monseigneurs to Ministers, from Prelates to Dukes, while my whole, dear family is in the field, at grips with hell, giving themselves over to strenuous toil, to all manner of hardships and pains. I can only offer to God my boredom ….<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Marius Suzanne, 25 January 1826, EO VII n 220<\/em><\/p>\n
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\u201cIf the barrenness of busyness takes over, the fire of prayer goes out\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 G. Carey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
From the moment that Eugene had consigned the Oblate Rule to the cardinals for their examination and judgment, his days in Rome were filled with running around from one office to another during the day, and meeting people at gatherings … Continue reading