Eugene\u2019s expression of joy at his father\u2019s experience of conversion, concludes with his asking the same grace for his uncle, Charles Louis de Mazenod:<\/p>\n
\nBe sure to tell this dear soul that I am helping him with all my power to thank the Lord for the outstanding favour he has given him; I ask the same grace for his brother.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to his father, C.A. de Mazenod, 7 July 1816, O.W. XV n. 137<\/em><\/p>\n
Jozef Pielorz tells us more about this uncle, and shows why Eugene was concerned for him:<\/p>\n
\nThe former, Charles Louis Eugene (1750-1835), known in the family as “le chevalier,” joined the royal navy at an early age and rose through all the ranks to that of ship’s captain (1791). He distinguished himself for his courage which won him the eminent distinction of the Cross of St. Louis (1782). When the Revolution broke out, he emigrated to Italy, following his older brother, Charles Anthony in his wanderings. To convince his uncle to return to France, l’abb\u00e9 de Mazenod obtained for him in 1817 an annual pension of 2,400 francs with the rank of Rear Admiral retired.<\/h5>\n
A competent seaman, he was not entirely without reproach with regard to his moral conduct. He left unpaid some 20,000 pounds of debts and married only in 1812 to legitimize his relationship with a woman of no account. Antonia \u2026, concubine become legitimate wife, was nothing other than a woman from the common people with no noble title, dowry or possibility of giving heirs “of good stock” to the Mazenod family.\u201d This mismatch profoundly affronted Eugene de Mazenod’s family pride and continued to diminish still more the small amount of esteem he had for his uncle.<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
J. Pielorz, “The Spiritual Life of Bishop Eugene de Mazenod 1782-1812,”<\/em>
\nAssociation of Oblate Studies and Research, Rome 1998, p. 30 \u2013 31.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene\u2019s expression of joy at his father\u2019s experience of conversion, concludes with his asking the same grace for his uncle, Charles Louis de Mazenod: Be sure to tell this dear soul that I am helping him with all my power … Continue reading