Monthly Archives: August 2010

IF I HAD DIED LAST MARCH WHEN ILLNESS BROUGHT ME TO THE THRESHOLD OF THE GRAVE, I WOULD NO LONGER COUNT FOR ANYTHING

On the third day of his retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, Eugene is invited to meditate on death. He does so, remembering in a vivid fashion how he had nearly died earlier in the year. His … Continue reading

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I MUST BE HOLY, VERY HOLY, BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT IT WOULD BE OF NO AVAIL TO TRY TO CONVERT ANYONE

Having reflected on his own conversion experience, Eugene’s retreat meditation moves to his priesthood and the necessity of leading others to the same conversion through the quality of his priesthood But to work for the salvation of souls, I must … Continue reading

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WE MUST REMOVE OUR HEART FROM WHAT MAY DETACH US FROM OUR END

A renewed commitment to avoid everything that will take Eugene away from the pursuit of the end of his life: to live only for God This thought of Father Nepveu stayed with me, that there is not a single creature … Continue reading

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WHAT MORE GLORIOUS OCCUPATION THAN TO ACT IN EVERYTHING AND FOR EVERYTHING ONLY FOR GOD

The heart of Eugene’s conversion experience is his definitive decision to live “only for God.” Looking at the rest if his life, one sees that this did in effect become the central focus of his life. His canonisation in 1995 … Continue reading

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I HAD LOOKED FOR HAPPINESS OUTSIDE OF GOD

Eugene wrote about his Good Friday experience seven years after the event. During this time he had studied in the seminary, been ordained and had done 3 years of ministry. The memory of the event was still so powerful for … Continue reading

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NEVER WAS MY SOUL MORE SATISFIED, NEVER DID IT FEEL SUCH HAPPINESS

Eugene’s tears were initially caused by his awareness of being in a state of sin. Nowhere does he say what this “mortal sin” was, but the context suggests that it was his realization of how his life had been pointing … Continue reading

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CAN I FORGET THE BITTER TEARS THAT THE SIGHT OF THE CROSS BROUGHT STREAMING FROM MY EYES ONE GOOD FRIDAY?

The life-changing Good Friday experience was marked by tears that were uncontrollable. We come across this phenomenon of tears on several important religious moments in the life of Eugene (often while celebrating Mass). They were signs of a deep experience … Continue reading

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I LOOKED FOR HAPPINESS OUTSIDE OF GOD AND FOR TOO LONG WITH RESULTING UNHAPPINESS

In the second meditation of his retreat, Eugene reflects on the aim of man’s existence, and how one can achieve these ends. For years he had looked for happiness outside of this goal, and it took the experience of looking … Continue reading

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COMPLIMENTS LEAVE ME UNAFFECTED, I EVEN FIND THEM TIRESOME

Eugene’s retreat reflection leads him to examine his reactions to others. This is one of those texts of Eugene one hesitates to publish in the 21st century, yet it forms part of the true picture of this 19th century man! … Continue reading

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THESE GOOD WORKS, THESE STRIKING WORKS FOR WHICH MEN PRAISE ME, EXALT ME TO THE SKIES

Eugene’s reflections during his retreat lead him to see that he had certainly achieved many praiseworthy things in his ministry in Aix: preaching to the poor in Provençal, the successful youth congregation, his prison ministry, and his willingness to give … Continue reading

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