The second phase: Conforming

One is “conformed” to Christ in every single spiritually and morally good act without the necessity that it should be performed for consciously supernatural motives. - Step-by-Step Retreats, introduction to the second phase

This second phase is subtitled "To conform the reformed, or the illuminative way." In terms of the number of steps, it is more than twice as long as the first phase, and this make sense to me. The process of getting the Holy Spirit to conform me to the image and likeness of Christ should be a longer and more painstaking one than to regenerate me in the first place.

There is much emphasis in this introduction about how Christ can be at work in and through us even if we are unaware of it and do not attribute this work to Him. True though this may be, it seems to me that the more important emphasis for a pilgrim who is sufficiently aware of the journey to be making such a retreat as this is on participating in and recognizing the Spirit's conforming work within us.