Eugene\u2019s own conversion experience had been the awareness of God\u2019s boundless love and mercy:<\/p>\n
\nBlessed, a thousand times blessed, that he, this good Father, notwithstanding my unworthiness, lavished on me all the richness of his mercy<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0He describes how he experienced the closeness of God\u2019s love once he had acknowledged his sinfulness:<\/p>\n
\nyou forgot all my acts of ingratitude to help me as powerfully as if I had been always faithful to you; my tender father, who carried this rebel on your shoulders, warmed him against your heart, washed his wounds, etc.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Notes made during the retreat in preparation for priestly ordination
\n1-21 December , O.W. XIV n. 95<\/em><\/p>\nHe is describing the experience of being \u201chugged\u201d by God<\/p>\n
Now, the Missionary – the \u201cco-operator of the Savior\u201d – has to treat the sinner in exactly the same manner as he has been treated:<\/p>\n
\nFor the rest, let the missionaries always be ready to welcome sinners with inexhaustible charity. Let them encourage the penitents by their pleasant manner, and by showing a compassionate heart.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
In a word, let them treat them as they themselves would wish to be treated if they were in the same unfortunate condition<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
1818 Rule Part 1, Chapter 3, \u00a72 Regarding Confession<\/em><\/p>\n
“Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Frederick Buechner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene\u2019s own conversion experience had been the awareness of God\u2019s boundless love and mercy: Blessed, a thousand times blessed, that he, this good Father, notwithstanding my unworthiness, lavished on me all the richness of his mercy Retreat Journal, December 1814, … Continue reading