Still reflecting on the award received by Eugene, there are two aspects which gave him joy.<\/p>\n
\nBut I see some hope of it being useful to the Society. What pleases me, you see, is that the King indicates precisely the reason why I have done good to his subjects, that is, by missions.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
He could have stated others which would not have been of any use to me or at least which I could not have called upon in the event of some future plans we might have.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Marius Suzanne, 7 March 1827, EO VII n 264<\/em><\/p>\n
The first was connected with the acknowledgement of the good work being done by the Oblate missions, and the hope that this award would open the door to a missionary foundation in Piedmont. The second came from a letter in this regard from Louis de Collegno, a lifelong friend of Eugene\u2019s since their school days in the College of Nobles in Turin. He refers to Saint Lazarus, traditionally believed to have been the friend of Jesus in the Gospel, and the first bishop of Marseille. The \u201cSee of Lazarus\u201d was one of the reasons why Eugene was to fight so hard in the future to prevente the suppression of this diocese by the French government. Rey explains:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the same point of view, these are the same sentiments expressed by a friend of the Founder, Count Louis of Collegno who wrote to him from Turin on March 30, 1827: \u2018My pleasure was great in learning the new link established between us by your being incorporated into the religious and military order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus; these two saints now become our common protectors, one brought the faith to Provence, the other brought it to Piedmont with his army before going to Valais. So we mutually, you and I, have the same obligations to these two saints; please help me in my duties of gratitude to one, as I will do my best to you for the other.<\/p>\n
I strongly desire, I do not give up hope, that your aim to let us participate in the good you do in France can be realized here one day. It lacks even that accompanies the ordinary for the works of God, seeds of opposition that could now provide less favorable in some provisions too prone to startle what from abroad, even if it is for good. As you look great, the choices we make to fill the seat of Chamb\u00e9ry will contribute a lot\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n
In the same letter M. Collegno speaks of the office that the knights of Saints Maurice and Lazarus are required to recite each day: This recitation is mandatory for those who have made vows and profession. The office is of very ancient date provided valuable evidence for the martyrdom of St. Lazarus the first Bishop of Marseilles.<\/p>\n
We will soon see the new knight using his title to try to establish an Oblate house in Chambery; but he will not succeed, because the King of Sardinia authorized another Congregation bearing the name of Oblates of Mary to do so.\u201d (Rey I \u00a0p.264 – 265)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYour connections to all the things around you literally define who you are.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Aaron D. O’Connell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Still reflecting on the award received by Eugene, there are two aspects which gave him joy. But I see some hope of it being useful to the Society. What pleases me, you see, is that the King indicates precisely the … Continue reading