Tag Archives: Good Friday

THE SOURCE OF YOUR CONFIDENCE LIES IN WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR YOU

As Father Magy accompanied Eugene in his vocational discernment, he expressed the heart of all spirituality: it is a lifelong response to what God has done in a person’s life. In the life of each of us there is a … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? IT INVITES LOVE TO RESPOND TO LOVE

Why say more? Could I ever express what I experienced then? Just the memory of it fills my heart with a sweet satisfaction… In words, he could not ever express what the experience did to him, but in action he … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? BECAUSE ITS LOVE CONQUERS THE DEATH OF SIN

Can I forget the bitter tears that the sight of the cross brought streaming from my eyes one Good Friday? Indeed they welled up from the heart, there was no checking them, they were too abundant for me to be … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? IT CONQUERS SIN

The sight of the cross made Eugene realize: I was in a state of mortal sin and it was precisely this that made me grieve. The etymology of “mortal” is that it is connected with death. Mortal sin is sin … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? IT IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS

I looked for happiness outside of God and for too long with resulting unhappiness. In many entries in the past weeks we have focused on Eugene’s search for happiness in all the areas where it was not to be found. … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? IT PRODUCES TRANSFORMATION INTO GOD

The style that Eugene uses to describe the highpoint of his conversion journey is reminiscent of the heart of St. Augustine’s well-known conversion experience described in his Confessions. Eugene described it in this way: How often in my past life … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS?  IT PRODUCES A LASTING CHANGE FROM WAVERING TO COMMITMENT

How often in my past life had my wounded, tormented heart taken wings for God from whom it had turned away! … I could then, and also on some other instance, perceive the difference. Never was my soul more satisfied, … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? IT REVEALS GOD’S PRODIGAL MERCY

Blessed, a thousand times blessed, that he, this good Father, notwithstanding my unworthiness, lavished on me all the richness of his mercy. Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130 The sight of the cross, the realization of the loving embrace … Continue reading

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WHY THE CROSS AS FOCUS? IT REVEALS GOD’S LAVISH LOVE

Why did the sight of the cross became the life-long focus and starting point of Eugene’s spirituality – and the spirituality of all who are part of the Mazenodian charism? Why did it make such an impact? Because it was … Continue reading

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THE FOCUS AND STARTING POINT OF MAZENODIAN SPIRITUALITY

25 years of varied life experiences and persistent searching finally all came together in one focal point. The inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, reminds us that “the sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” All the disparate rays … Continue reading

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