Eugene had a devotion to many saints and firmly believed in their example and intercession. Some of his large collection of relics is in the Postulation museum in Rome.<\/p>\n
One of his principal models was Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists. They had much in common (cf https:\/\/www.eugenedemazenod.net\/?p=654)<\/a> and his spirit has significantly molded our own.<\/p>\n When Eugene\u2019s father had returned to Marseille from exile, he spent over a year translating an Italian biography of Alphonsus into French, at the request of his son. It was never published. When Eugene was in Rome for the approbation of the Oblates, he collected biographic material and documents on Alphonsus which he brought back to France, and entrusted Father Jeancard with the task of writing a biography. The book was completed in 1828 and the 609-page biography became the first to be published in French.<\/p>\n In 1829, Eugene sent a copy of this work to the Pope, through an ambassador<\/p>\n A lovely personal touch:<\/p>\n Letter to the Marquis de Croza, 22 July 1829, EO XIII n. 72<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “The Saints were not superhuman. They were people who loved God in their hearts, and who shared this joy with others.” \u00a0\u00a0Pope Francis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Eugene had a devotion to many saints and firmly believed in their example and intercession. Some of his large collection of relics is in the Postulation museum in Rome. One of his principal models was Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of … Continue reading \n
When the Pope was the Cardinal Grand Penitentiary, he was involved with Leo XII of blessed memory in gaining for my uncle the Bishop of Marseilles the right to pray the Office and celebrate the feast of Blessed Alphonsus Liguori in his diocese; in his letters on this matter, he gave witness of great devotion to this Blessed person. Since one of my priests\u00a0 has written a biography of Blessed Alphonsus which has merit both in terms of facts and also of style, I thought it would be proper for our Holy Father the Pope to have a copy of it and I am offering him one.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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I recommended that we bind it as nicely as possible. One of our young missionaries thought of making an embellished cover which turned out to be quite beautiful. I would like the Pope to use this to cover his ceremonial breviary; you could suggest the idea to him; it would be too bad if such a beautiful work would only gather dust in a library.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Dear friend, I beg you to present to the Pope on my behalf this little tribute of my devotedness to his sacred person and to the Holy Apostolic See. Do not forget to assure the Holy Father that he has no more devoted son in France;<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n