On his return to Aix in the middle of 1812, Eugene\u2019s early priestly ministry was conducted under the cloud of Napoleon.<\/p>\n
\nIt is not difficult to grasp that the immoral Napoleon\u2019s plan and that of his infamous government\u2019s is the total destruction of the Catholic religion in the States he has usurped. An obstacle to the decisive execution of his devilish strategy for this deplorable project seems to be the attachment of the majority of the oppressed peoples to the faith of their fathers. He is reduced to awaiting the effects of time and of the methods he employs in the meanwhile to arrive at his goals.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
To achieve his ambitions, Napoleon focused on winning the hearts and minds of the youth.<\/p>\n
\nOf all methods the one he counts on most is the demoralization of the youth.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
The success of his measures is frightening. Already the surface of France is covered with colleges, military schools and other establishments where irreverence is encouraged, bad morals are at least tolerated, and materialism is promoted and applauded.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
All these dreadful schools are filled with pupils whose parents\u2019 avarice gives in to the attraction of a free place or a half-scholarship, or the hope of an advancement that is promised only to the clever. Empty places are filled with unhappy victims whom the tyrant pitilessly snatches from the bosom of their families and forces to drink of this poisoned cup, where they must find the origin of their inevitable corruption. Already the work is to a large measure accomplished. The 15-year old pupil of a college, the pupil of a preparatory or military school or polytechnic, a page, etc., all alike are become impious and depraved, and leave almost no hope of their return to good living, to good religious and civic principles. They are trained to recognize no other god than Napoleon. The will of this new providence that promises them no punishment for their vices and advancement for their ambitions is their only rule of conduct, the only motivation for all their actions. And so one sees them fly at the least sign from their idol wherever his voice calls them, ready to commit every crime that it pleases him to exact of their sacrilegious devotion. This is a terrifying picture but a true one and I could embellish it still more without fear of being accused of exaggeration. Apart from what is evident to everyone\u2019s eyes and can be seen by everyone, I have in my possession a thousand proofs for my argument.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
The evil is at its height and we are moving forward swiftly towards total collapse if God does not come very quickly to our help\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Diary of the Aix Christian Youth Congregation, 25 April 1813, O.W. XVI,<\/em><\/p>\n
Eugene was to respond in a decisive way, at the cost of personal danger.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On his return to Aix in the middle of 1812, Eugene\u2019s early priestly ministry was conducted under the cloud of Napoleon. It is not difficult to grasp that the immoral Napoleon\u2019s plan and that of his infamous government\u2019s is the … Continue reading