Still meditating on the theme of death in his retreat, Eugene reflects on his priesthood in the face of death and draws on the principle of the necessity to practise what one preaches.
And those neglected means of salvation. Those sacraments received and administered. What fruit the saints drew from them, and you, what use have you made of them? That holy word you preached, how many fine truths have you proclaimed during your ministry? You would urge sinners to come back to God, etc. You were inexhaustible on the counsels you refused to no one on the way one should approach the sacraments so as to go to them fruitfully, etc. At the hour of death you will remember you spoke well, gave good advice, etc., but how will you make your excuses for not having practiced what you knew well enough to say to others?
Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130