During these days of retreat Eugene reflected on the meaning of his new calling and the attitude with which he would approach the task.<\/p>\n
\nSince the die is cast and in spite of all my efforts up to the present to avoid the burden of the responsibility of a diocese, my calculations and hopes have come to nothing in face of all the various skilful and certainly well-intentioned schemes of my uncle, I must resign myself to it and make the most I can of my new and in my eyes rather sad position.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
He had been a bishop since 1832, but with no fixed responsibility to a diocese – he had been free to serve where he discerned best.<\/p>\n
\nI was already a bishop, it is true, but it was as it were only on my own account. I owed nothing to anybody. No one had the right to demand the service of my ministry; all I was in a position to do was inspired in me only by charity. I was free, in a word.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Now it is different! So the episcopate that I have been able up to now to consider as but the fullness of the priesthood with which I had been blessed, and as complementing all the graces the Lord has deigned to grant my soul throughout the whole course of my life, appears to me today as it is in the Church\u2019s constitution under its pastoral aspect, namely, as the heaviest burden that could be imposed on a feeble mortal.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Retreat preparatory to taking possession of the episcopal see of Marseilles, May 1837, EO XV n 185<\/em><\/p>\n
God\u2019s grace had accompanied him this far, and it was here that he put his trust, no matter how heavy the burden.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
During these days of retreat Eugene reflected on the meaning of his new calling and the attitude with which he would approach the task. Since the die is cast and in spite of all my efforts up to the present … Continue reading