Despite the joy of the ceremony of episcopal consecration, Eugene never forgot that it all happened as a response to the anti-religious attitude and actions of the French government.<\/p>\n
\nThere, then, my dear uncle, you have the consolations that God in his goodness granted me along with others of a more hidden nature, to strengthen me no doubt against the tribulations that are reserved for me.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Eugene had no doubt that he was on a collision course with the French authorities, but he also knew that God\u2019s grace was more powerful.<\/p>\n
\nI face them without defiance or fear. The Lord gave me the grace during my retreat to make a very firm resolve to will only what he wills in times of prosperity and adversity alike. I am penetrated to the depths of my soul with the sublimity of the character and the grandeur of the dignity conferred on me; I have established myself, with the help of grace, in the disposition to fulfil always all the resulting duties, for the glory of God, the honour of the Church, the service of neighbour and my own sanctification.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Armed in this fashion one is strong, especially when one looks to God for everything and for nothing from oneself whose nothingness and powerlessness I fully understand. Please continue, my dear uncle, to come to my aid with the help of your prayers; my own, quite feeble as they are, are due you by too many titles for you not to feel you can count on them.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Affectionate greetings with all the tenderness of a nephew and a wholly devoted son.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
+ <\/span>Ch. Jos. Eugene, Bishop of Icosia<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
To Bishop Fortun\u00e9 de Mazenod, Bishop of Marseilles, 14 October 1832, EO XV n 168<\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cArmed in this fashion one is strong, especially when one looks to God for everything” was going to be the guiding light of the difficult years of personal suffering that Bishop Eugene was soon to face.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite the joy of the ceremony of episcopal consecration, Eugene never forgot that it all happened as a response to the anti-religious attitude and actions of the French government. There, then, my dear uncle, you have the consolations that God … Continue reading