Eugene concluded his retreat by meditating on the symbols he would receive at his consecration.<\/p>\n
\nThis cross, this crozier is given me as the sign of spiritual power for me to chase out vice with a severity tempered with gentleness, to judge with equity, rousing this man\u2019s virtues and reprimanding that one s trespasses.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
This ring is placed on my finger as the seal of the faith I must profess and the fidelity I must observe towards the Church, Jesus Christ\u2019s holy Spouse.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
This book of the holy Gospels is confided to me so that in conformity with my vocation or rather with the mission given me, I go out and preach the good news of salvation to the people with whom I am charged.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
This mitre is placed on my head as a helmet of salvation, so that with my face adorned with this ornament, and my head armed with the power of the two Testaments, I may become terrible and formidable in the eyes of the adversaries of truth, and that by the help of grace I may always give them battle with both strength and success.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Lastly my hands are clothed with these gloves, image of the purity of the new man who has come down from heaven that the gifts, oblations and sacrifices which will be offered by me, may find favour and acceptance with God and that I may draw down on myself and the Church the most abundant blessings through the virtues of Jesus Christ Our Lord who, having taken the form of sin, offered himself for us to his heavenly Father.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
How can I have got to the end of these lines, without the pen dropping from my fingers a thousand times. My God, who could ever<\/i>attain just the virtues one ought to possess to respond worthily to the Church\u2019s designs?<\/strong><\/b><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Retreat before being consecrated bishop, 7-14 October 1832, EO XV n 166<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene concluded his retreat by meditating on the symbols he would receive at his consecration. This cross, this crozier is given me as the sign of spiritual power for me to chase out vice with a severity tempered with gentleness, … Continue reading