In September 1831 Pope Gregory XVI had been elected and Eugene had sent him a message on behalf of the Oblates, whose head he was.<\/p>\n
\nThe Sovereign Pontiff has replied to the letter I wrote him from Fribourg, in the same moving and really paternal style as his predecessor; at the first opportunity I will have a copy of this document sent to you, precious as it is to our Congregation. Read it out to the community. I know you will be as moved as we were. The Pope saw fit to put his own signature to the brief, a signal mark of protection and a favour rarely accorded: I draw it to your attention for our consolation.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Eugene had always had a great respect for the person of the Pope as we have seen in earlier entries (cf https:\/\/www.eugenedemazenod.net\/?p=2343<\/a> and https:\/\/www.eugenedemazenod.net\/?p=3157<\/a> ) \u2013 thus the Pope\u2019s letter meant\u00a0 a lot to him.<\/p>\n
\nI know none greater here below than to receive praise, approval and encouragement from the mouth of the Vicar of Jesus Christ, as he gives his personal guidance to the family whose head he is, as he is of the whole Church, laying down for it the road that it must follow and in a certain way placing the seal of infallibility on its existence and its works.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Hippolyte Court\u00e9s, 7 January 1832, EO VIII n 413<\/em><\/p>\n
As a Congregation we have experienced \u201cpraise, approval and encouragement\u201d from the Successors of Peter until our present day:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs your religious family enters its third century of life, may the Lord allow you to write new pages that are as evangelically fruitful as those of your brothers who, over the past 200 years, have borne witness, some- times even with blood, to that great love for Christ and for the Church. You are Oblates of Mary Immaculate. May this name, which was defined by St. Eugene as \u201ca passport to Heaven\u201d, be for you a constant commitment to the mission. May Our Lady sustain your steps, especially in moments of trial. I ask you, please, to pray to her for me too. May my blessing, which I wholeheartedly impart to you and to your entire Congregation, accompany you always on your journey.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
Pope Francis to the Missionary Oblates, September 2016<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In September 1831 Pope Gregory XVI had been elected and Eugene had sent him a message on behalf of the Oblates, whose head he was. The Sovereign Pontiff has replied to the letter I wrote him from Fribourg, in the … Continue reading