The Archbishop of Aix was in temporary poor health and needed someone to accompany him on his pastoral visits throughout the Archdiocese of Aix, and to preach on his behalf. Eugene appointed Oblate Father Mille to this important mission.<\/p>\n
\nI would now like to give you some instructions. First of all, you must remember that you have been called to be the instrument of the chief Pastor during his pastoral visit. Consequently, you must be imbued with the importance of this ministry\u2019s greatness.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Bearing in mind that Eugene had been a bishop for 5 years, and had just been appointed to have the responsibility of the Diocese of Marseilles, the advice that he gives to Fr Mille reflects his own pastoral approach. The list is a mirror of Eugene\u2019s own episcopal ministry:<\/p>\n
\nI don\u2019t have to tell you that you must stress the sublimity of the grace and all the blessings the Lord dispenses during the presence of a Bishop visiting his flock<\/strong><\/h5>\n
to instruct them,<\/strong><\/h5>\n
correct them,<\/strong><\/h5>\n
console them<\/strong><\/h5>\n
and impart the Holy Spirit to those who have not yet received him,<\/strong><\/h5>\n
to arouse repentance in the hearts of those who have lost it;<\/strong><\/h5>\n
to recall to the knowledge and practice of God\u2019s holy law and the Church\u2019s precepts;<\/strong><\/h5>\n
to inflame the charity of this good Mother Church even for those who are dead, since the Bishop comes to pray for their souls in every place of his jurisdiction.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Jean Baptiste Mille, 21 April 1837, EO IX n 614<\/em><\/p>\n
We will recognize all this put into practice by Eugene himself during the next two decades as Bishop of Marseilles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Archbishop of Aix was in temporary poor health and needed someone to accompany him on his pastoral visits throughout the Archdiocese of Aix, and to preach on his behalf. Eugene appointed Oblate Father Mille to this important mission. I … Continue reading