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Thanks to his efforts, Father Etchecopar got an edition of the Betharram Rules fit to be approved by the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and religious.  To make quite sure of it, he went on a Pilgrimage to Assisi. There, through the intercession of St Francis of Assisi, he prayed that his religious “would have the spirit of love which says Here I am!”

During their retreat from the6th to the 13th June 1877, he submitted this text to the superiors meeting for their General Chapter under an indult from the Holy See.  Having made a thorough examination of the text and having obtained its unanimous approval, he sent it off to Rome.  The approval by Rome came as a great surprise.  Nobody dared hope that it would arrive before another year.  It was signed much more quickly by Pope Pius IX two months later on 5th September 1877.

Father Etchecopar had gone to take a few days rest at the shrine of Our Lady of Sarrance.  There in the pleasant and restful solitude the decree was handed to him, nine days later.  Immediately he sent a telegram to Betharram and in a more detailed letter wrote to Father Pagadoy, his Assistant.

Sarrance, 14th-15th September 1877.

Today, Friday, feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I have received the brief approving our dear Congregation.  What a coincidence! Let everyone say a Mass of thanksgiving and let the Brothers receive Holy Communion and recite the Rosary four times. The decree is addressed to the Bishop.  I am leaving for Oloron to take it to him.

His Lordship got me to open the envelope which contained:  (1) the letter for the Bishop;

(2) The decree, a bit like the brief, except for the mention of the approval.  (3) Five words of criticism; that’s all.  All this seems quite trivial to me and we can now go ahead with having our Rules printed.  The Bishop wept with joy; he kept on saying “Its heaven which has intervened to have such a quick reply” I sent telegrams to everyone.  I hope you received my telegram from Pau, and that the news will have been a fitting crown for the feast of Calvary, and that next day, octave of the Nativity, all will have given thanks for such a great favour. What a joy at the end of all our trials! And of all our efforts!   To be thus connected, through the hands of the Holy See, to a way of life which is really perfect!  Not ever to suffer again, but at least to suffer with greater merit and in a more religious and  perfect spirit, what a great recompense!”

Thanks to this decree placing it under the authority and protection of the Holy Father, Saint Michael Garicoits’ work has finally been saved.  After fourteen years of efforts, work and prayers, Father Etchecopar’s satisfaction is huge.  Under his initiative, on 28th April 1890 and 6th September 1901, the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus would receive the final approval of its Rules.

Pierre Miéyaa,SCJ (1901-1981)