Page 4 - pastoral-letters-sjm

1st Pastoral Letter of the Bishop of Acqui

and virtue, who have graced the Episcopal See of Acqui: St.
Maggiorino and St. Guido whom we invoke as our protectors in
heaven. A salutary mission for you, but for me a formidable one
and a bearer of grave cares and also fearful burdens if I did not
tranquilize my soul in the peace of obedience, if I did know that
I would find in the Diocese many helpers ready to assist me.
And the first helpers and the most valuable support will be
you, Venerable Brothers, Dignitaries and Canons of the
Cathedral. The Church, provident mother, wants me to lean on
your knowledge and experience in the exercise of the Episcopal
ministry, and that in every difficult occurrence, you be generous
with your light and advice. From this day, I express my ever-
lasting gratitude for the help I will ask from you with confidence
and that you will give me fraternally. I thank the Lord who
surrounds me with a Senate illustrious for its doctrine and virtue,
for the great love that it has for Christ's Church, and for its filial
attachment to the Chair of Peter.
To the help which I count upon, from your advice and work,
Venerable Brothers, add the very powerful help of your prayers.
When you are united in the House of the Lord to sing his praises
and invoke heavenly blessings on the people, remember me in a
special way, I who must guide the people on the way of
salvation. I hope for the same help from you, eminent Canons
who attend to the angelic office of praising and glorifying God
in the Collegiate church of Campo Ligure.
I address myself to you, Venerable Pastors, you who with
me must reflect among the people the image of the Good
Shepherd. Oh, how good it is to think that through you my
mission will be fruitful in the most remote parts of the Diocese;
that through your zeal I will better fulfill my pastoral office,
know my sheep, assure their saving pasture, defend them from
the devouring enemy, and lead them to the eternal sheepfold.
With so many souls to save, your zeal will not suffice if you
are not joined by the zeal of those priests who, although not

4