Tag Archives: conversion

THE MISSIONARY: SHOW PEOPLE WHO JESUS IS AND BE A BRIDGE TO HELP THEM TO MEET HIM

A phrase that is almost in danger of passing unnoticed in the description of the life of the Missionaries is: “in preaching and in the direction of youth.” We came into existence for two clear missionary purposes: 1/ to preach … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: WHAT’S IN IT FOR HIM?

Having outlined the major points of their vision statement, they continue: The undersigned priests: … -and wishing to accomplish it in a manner as useful to themselves as it is advantageous for the people whom they propose to evangelize… Request … Continue reading

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THE MISSIONARY: DARING TO USE SHOCK TREATMENT

In the pitiful religious state in which the people of Provence found themselves, the ordinary means provided by the Church structures were not enough. The people had been at the mercy of various currents of thought over the past 27 … Continue reading

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I REGALE HIM EACH TIME I MEET HIM WITH THE STORY OF SOME SUDDEN DEATH

La Poire, nickname of the marquis Boniface de Périer, was a childhood friend of Eugene’s father. In this extract from a letter of Eugene to his father, one gets a glimpse of Eugene’s sense of humour. I can imagine him … 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 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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