Doing the review of his life during his annual retreat, Eugene began by examining his duties as a Christian by highlighting the following areas:<\/p>\n
\nThe examination of my general duties as a Christian must extend to all the commandments of God and the Church, the capital sins, natural evil tendencies, dominant faults, the heart\u2019s affections.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The annual retreats of the Oblates were usually according to the spirit and method of Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. We catch a glimpse of this approach in the way in which Eugene understands that it was not enough to identify what was wrong in his life, but that he had to discern the causes and origins so as to tackle the areas of change at their roots. Without understanding the root cause, it would be difficult to change.<\/p>\n
\nIn all these areas I must go a little beyond simply the present moment to lay bare the root of the vices and the source of all the spirit\u2019s disorders.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Examination of conscience, October 1826, EO XV n 157<\/em><\/p>\n
Together with Eugene, let us respond by enriching the present moment by prayerfully reflecting on the root causes of our behaviour.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIgnorance, the root and stem of all evil.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Plato<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Doing the review of his life during his annual retreat, Eugene began by examining his duties as a Christian by highlighting the following areas: The examination of my general duties as a Christian must extend to all the commandments of … Continue reading