I was received by our Holy Father on Friday, the 22nd, and I am the bearer of his apostolic blessing.”
Eugene finally receives an audience with the Holy Father and his apostolic blessing. In the same letter to Henri Tempier on November 26, 1833 he writes of his continued treatment by the French Ambassador and his wife saying:
“Some insults are hard to swallow. At the same time I am amply compensated for these impertinences by the esteem that both Romans and others have for me.” (478:VIII in Oblate Writings)
Having been vilified by the French government (it would seem at all levels) he notes that he has been commended by those in Rome and from other places). Here he speaks of the ‘impertinences’, the rudeness of the Ambassador’s wife and refuses to hold on to a hurt, saying instead that although it’s difficult he will swallow it and so not react to it. So while his letter could be seen as a little cautious it is filled with a underlying quiet joy. The Church, his beloved Church seems to have vindicated him and that is all he needs to hear.
This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about St. Eugene de Mazenod, and also about myself. When have I been unjustly accused or treated badly because of another’s fears or dislike? Did I react or did I respond? Have I remained true to God? To myself? Where did my support come from? What did it look like? Was I able to let go of the hurt I received? How?
Going Deeper 