Category Archives: RETREAT NOTES

THERE IS IN EACH MYSTERY OF THE LIFE OF JESUS A PARTICULAR VIRTUE THAT SHINES OUT

Basing himself on the retreat meditations of Fr. Nepveau, during his Spiritual Exercises retreat, Eugene considers what the early life of Jesus teaches him. In his daily Gospel prayer Eugene wanted always to imitate the “examples and virtues of Jesus … Continue reading

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LET US TRY THEREFORE TO CONFORM IN ALL I DO TO THIS DIVINE MODEL

Eugene continues to meditate on Jesus as model All metaphor aside, I have been a sinner, a great sinner, and I am a priest. With the exception of having defiled my body with women, a wretchedness from which the goodness … Continue reading

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TO FOLLOW AND IMITATE JESUS CHRIST AS A MODEL

Ending the first week of the 1814 retreat, Eugene moves into the next phase: that of meditating on the life of Jesus so as to model his own on it. He begins this series of meditations with the classic “Call … Continue reading

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NOT FOCUSSED ON SIN, BUT ON THE SAVIOUR

Eugene’s focus, in fact, is not on sin but on the Saviour. Ina retreat meditation of three years’ earlier, before his ordination, he wrote a beautiful text on himself as the prodigal son, basking the Father’s embrace and loving forgiveness. … Continue reading

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I HAVE NEVER NEEDED THE IDEA OF HELL TO BRING ME TO GOD

When looking at Eugene’s retreat meditations, one is tempted to think that he has an morbid preoccupation with sin and punishment. In these retreats he is following the meditations suggested by Ignatius, the first week of which is focused on … Continue reading

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HOW WILL YOU MAKE YOUR EXCUSES FOR NOT HAVING PRACTICED WHAT YOU KNEW WELL ENOUGH TO SAY TO OTHERS?

Still meditating on the theme of death in his retreat, Eugene reflects on his priesthood in the face of death and draws on the principle of the necessity to practise what one preaches. And those neglected means of salvation. Those … Continue reading

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IT IS MY FRIENDS I LOVE TOO MUCH

Continuing his reflections on death and on the attachments which would prevent him from being “all for God” in the face of death, he reflects on his relationships. His conclusion touches on what was to be a part of his … Continue reading

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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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