Page 7 - SPIRITUAL EXERCISES 1830

PRAISE, HONOUR & GLORY TO THE BLESSED TRINITY
__________

N NO OT TE ES S
ON MY SPIRITUAL EXERCISES, 1830
_____

18 September

FIRST MEDITATION
in immediate preparation for the Retreat

On the state of my soul
dividing it into 3 parts

st
1 On the past, reflecting on so many graces that the
Lord has granted me and on my poor response.
2 On the present, reflecting on the infinite charity of my
nd
Jesus who, in spite of my ingratitude, is again calling me to

himself through the grace of these Spiritual Exercises. At this
point I considered for a while what is preventing me from
making progress in the path of perfection, and I clearly
understood that it is due to my pride and self-love.
3 Regarding the future, I considered on the one hand
rd
the abyss of iniquity I would fall into if God looked at my
demerits, and on the other hand the charity of my God. This
cheered me, for I seemed to hear Him telling me that he has
designs over me and that he wants me to be saintly.
I did this Meditation for ¾ of an hour, on my knees; I ended it
with an act of trust in my God and with a holy joy in my heart.

- 125 -