Monthly Archives: August 2010

SINCE MY CONVERSION THERE HAS BEEN A CERTAIN CHANGE, BUT I HAVE NOTHING TO BE COMPLACENT ABOUT

Eugene acknowledges that his conversion has to be an on-going process – he is not yet “immersed in God.” …Thus I went against all his plans, by my fault; I had even rendered the attainment of some of them an … Continue reading

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UNTIL THE TIME OF MY CONVERSION, MY SOLE PREOCCUPATION WAS TO DESTROY HIS WORK

Here, in the first meditation of the day, Eugene refers to a moment where his conversion took place. Interestingly, the very next retreat meditation, the second of the day, is the one in which he recalls his Good Friday experience! … Continue reading

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LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED, FOR I NEED REFORMATION IN EVERYTHING

In Eugene’s assessment of the year he is hard on himself. He judges himself to have been out of balance in his dedication of time to others, and is aware that some of the weaknesses of his character became too … Continue reading

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NOT LOSE ONE OUNCE OF THAT PRECIOUS PEACE WHICH IS THE GREATEST OF POSSESSIONS

Eugene reflects on the importance of maintaining inner serenity in God. Important maxim. Always do all that depends on me for success in the undertakings I believe good, but when I have done everything I can, when I have turned … Continue reading

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IT WOULD BE A DISORDER TO LOSE PEACE OF SOUL, TO RESPOND IN A PURELY HUMAN WAY WHEN THINGS DON’T GO MY WAY

In reviewing the year Eugene is aware of having placed too much trust in his own efforts and not enough on God. In future I must place my trust even more in the virtue of prayer than in the activity … Continue reading

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IN WORKING FOR OTHERS I HAVE BEEN TOO FORGETFUL OF MYSELF

In December 1814 Eugene did a private retreat, at one of the most significant moments of his life. He had touched death and had been left physically weakened by the illness, and was now discerning the future direction that his … Continue reading

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THE TRUE REASONS BEHIND EUGENE’S VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Having expressed his annoyance at the interpretation that the gossips gave to his vocation, Eugene now explains the real reasons to his father. The break of communications caused by the war had made it impossible for Eugene to tell his … Continue reading

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ANNOYANCE AT BEING MISJUDGED BY SOCIAL GOSSIP

At the time of Eugene’s decision to go to the seminary, the war between Napoleon and Britain had prevented communications between France and Palermo. Eugene’s father was thus not aware that his son had studied to be a priest and … Continue reading

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A DAY OF PRAYER, INSTRUCTION AND GAMES

The Youth Congregation used to meet every Thursday and Sunday, but also on feast days. Here the Diary entry for Wednesday 2 November, All Souls Day, gives an idea of their activities of prayer, instruction and games. We gathered at … Continue reading

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THE GROWING YOUTH CONGREGATION DEDICATED TO MARY IMMACULATE

During the time of Napoleon, the formation of Christian youth sodalities was banned. Eugene’s gatherings with the youth were initially illegal and had to be disguised as a recreational youth group. With the end of the Napoleonic era, it was … Continue reading

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