Having reflected on his own conversion experience, Eugene\u2019s retreat meditation moves to his priesthood and the necessity of leading others to the same conversion through the quality of his priesthood<\/p>\n
\nBut to work for the salvation of souls, I must be holy, very holy:<\/strong><\/h5>\n
1. because without that it would be of no avail to try to convert anyone. How can one give what one has not got? It is from one\u2019s superabundance that one must give;
\n2. a mediocre virtue would not survive in the atmosphere of the world, even when one lives there with a life-style like mine.<\/strong><\/h5>\nIt is absolutely necessary that the brilliance of the priest\u2019s virtues be so bright as to dissipate all the trash that rises up around him, as to pierce the densest of clouds. Isn\u2019t that precisely what I told myself when I entered the clerical state, as I drew near to this priesthood that I should have considered only from afar and very afar? So it must not be forgotten. Let us make use of every means God gives us to reach this end of the priesthood, which is perfection.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Having reflected on his own conversion experience, Eugene\u2019s 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