After his illness, Eugene resumes writing the Diary of the Christian Youth Congregation and describes the affectionate reaction of the youth to his illness. The best way for him to show his gratitude is by working even harder for their salvation:
This long interruption was due to the very dangerous illness which brought the Rev. Director to death’s door. He was confined to his bed on March 10, having had a fever for some days; on the 14th he received holy Viaticum and Extreme Unction. As it is he who is drawing up these minutes, how could he fail to record here the testimonies of the tender interest that these dear children showed him in this situation Ah! They are indelibly engraved on his heart, and never will what they did for him be erased from his memory.
The affection he will always keep in their regard, the prayers he will not cease to make for their salvation, and all the attention he will continue to lavish on them to facilitate their having the means to attain it, will be proof of his thanks.
Diary of the Aix Christian Youth Congregation ,
May 1814, O.W. XVI