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Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint and Coppens, Charles
The days of the retreat are the most important in the year. 1. The most important for the Exercitant; for his principal duty and highest interest are the salvation and spiritual progress of his own soul: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.” What would it profit any of us to convert even thousands, if he loses his own soul? And if any one imagines that his own salvation is already secured, and no longer needs his principal care, he is a very ignorant or a conceited man.
2. These days are the most important for the salvation of our neighbor; since, the more one becomes a man of God, as a good retreat tends to make him, the better he will do the work of God. And the salvation of souls is pre-eminently the work of God, not that of human talent or industry.
3. They are the most important for the glory of God; since the glory we render to God is in proportion to our holiness, the purity of our intentions, the ardor of our love and our other virtues; the increase of all of which is the direct purpose of the retreat.