In the second meditation of his retreat, Eugene reflects on the aim of man’s existence, and how one can achieve these ends. For years he had looked for happiness outside of this goal, and it took the experience of looking at the Cross one Good Friday to make him realize this.
I looked for happiness outside of God and for too long with resulting unhappiness. How often in my past life had my wounded, tormented heart taken wings for God from whom it had turned away!
Can I forget the bitter tears that the sight of the cross brought streaming from my eyes one Good Friday?
Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130