Having stressed the importance of avoiding sin at all costs, Eugene now encourages the young men of his Youth Congregation to be aware of God\u2019s mercy when they do not live up to their ideals.<\/p>\n
\nTo this end, they will put all their trust in God, and not rely on their own strength and their good intentions. But if, as a result of human frailty they come to commit some sin, they must not become discouraged. They must humble themselves immediately without becoming despondent, and turn to God with an act of contrition and renew their resolution not to offend Him again.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
R\u00e8glements et Statuts de la Congr\u00e9gation de la Jeunesse, 1813, p. 22<\/em><\/p>\n
Here we see the Eugene who had been irrevocably touched by the mercy of God himself just a few years earlier. The aim of his ministry is to lead others to the same life-giving and healing experience.<\/p>\n
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Having stressed the importance of avoiding sin at all costs, Eugene now encourages the young men of his Youth Congregation to be aware of God\u2019s mercy when they do not live up to their ideals. To this end, they will … Continue reading