Eugene\u2019s first letter immediately after his episcopal consecration was to his uncle, Bishop Fortun\u00e9, who had been the one responsible for this happening. Signing himself, for the first time, \u201c+ Ch. Jos. Eugene, Bishop of Icosia\u201d he expressed his affection for his old uncle.<\/p>\n
\nIf I had been at liberty to follow my heart\u2019s desire, the moment I descended from the altar I would have taken up my pen to render you my first act of homage and say again the words I had just addressed to the consecrating Bishop who represented your person to me: ad multos annos. <\/i>It was high time too I expressed my gratitude towards you, and gave expression to my feelings of filial affection which, while admitting no increase, I experienced in a very lively way even in the midst of the abundant spiritual consolations it pleased the Lord to pour out in my soul on this memorable day. Really it was a great disappointment for me and the occasion, I hope, of much merit to have been deprived of the happiness of being consecrated by you and surrounded by my whole family and our dear friends.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
In your very real absence, I tried to make up for it in spirit by being united with you in the prayers you must all have been offering for me.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
To Bishop Fortun\u00e9 de Mazenod, Bishop of Marseilles, 14 October 1832, EO XV n 168<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene\u2019s first letter immediately after his episcopal consecration was to his uncle, Bishop Fortun\u00e9, who had been the one responsible for this happening. Signing himself, for the first time, \u201c+ Ch. Jos. Eugene, Bishop of Icosia\u201d he expressed his affection … Continue reading