Tag Archives: conversion

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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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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THE CHANGE THAT WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW IN THE LIVES OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE

A year after starting the youth congregation, Eugene could see results in the lives of the young people. The letters from its members, that we have in the archives, show that these fruits lasted well into their adulthood. What had … Continue reading

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THE MOST ABANDONED: A MIRACLE OF GRACE IN A PRISONER CONDEMNED TO DEATH

In a letter of September 1813, Eugene’s spiritual director, Father Duclaux, encouraged him in his prison ministry by urging him to continue as he was doing because his approach would lead many to conversion, sorrow for their sins and repentance. … Continue reading

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ONCE YOU ARE FREED FROM SIN, LIGHT WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE DEEP SHADOWS THAT REIGNED IN YOUR SOULS

This is the conclusion of the sermon: a moving invitation to experience God’s love in the sacrament of confession. Having thundered at his listeners to make them aware of the seriousness of sin and provoke them to conversion, he now … Continue reading

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IT IS WITH OPEN ARMS THAT THE MINISTERS OF JESUS CHRIST PRESS THEM CLOSE TO THEIR HEARTS

Eugene develops his image of the sinner being like a cart stuck in the mud that necessitates great force to get it out of the mud, and then gentleness in the confessional to begin the healing process of conversion. In … Continue reading

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COME, I HAVE GIVEN YOU MORE THAN ENOUGH REASONS TO MAKE UP YOUR MINDS

Eugene aims to convince his listeners to go to confession, understanding that the more they put it off, the more difficult it will be. I have chosen these two extracts because they give something of a feel for the images … Continue reading

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COME AND SHOW YOUR WOUNDS TO THE ONLY DOCTORS WHOM GOD HAS ESTABLISHED TO CURE THEM

The sermons at the Madeleine were Lenten in character to prepare his listeners for Easter resurrection. After the first sermon where Eugene had laid the foundation of their dignity in the eyes of God’s love, his themes for the following … Continue reading

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