Blog Post 1/24/2023 - Feast of St. Francis de Sales

                                                  Feast of St. Francis de Sales

 

Francis de Sales wrote, the purpose of lay spirituality is to bring holiness to the secular world.  An important insight from de Sales is, “Whatever we may see our neighbors do, we must always interpret his/her conduct in the best manner possible.”  [Conf. IV on the Spirit of Humility]

He, also, said, “He asks for your own heart.  Give it such as it is ….”  [Sermon in a Sentence, deSales, p.103]

 

Salesian Spirituality often uses the image of Heart speaking to Heart, that image is powerful when we use it with the Eucharist; Jesus giving Himself to us in the Bread & Wine blessed & broken.  Bread & Wine that during the Liturgy of the Eucharist becomes the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ given for many, given for you & for me.  In his Treatise on the Love God said, “… the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist, the perpetual feast of divine grace.”

 

 

A prayer de Sales offers us to begin our day is “My God, I give you this day.  I offer you, now, all of the good that I shall do … and I promise to accept, for love of you, all of the difficulty that I shall meet.  Help me to conduct myself during this day In a manner [most] pleasing to you.”  [Direction of Intention St. Francis de Sales]

 

In addition to his two well know works [The Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God] St. Francis de Sales, also, wrote a terrific little book, Finding God’s Will for You, below is an excerpt that offer us a beautiful insight. 

 

“Many men keep the commandments in the way sick men take medicine: more from fear of dying in damnation than for joy of living according to our Savior’s will.  Just as some persons dislike taking medicine, no matter how pleasant it is, simply because it is called medicine, so there are some souls who hold in horror things commanded simply because they are commanded . . . On the contrary, a loving heart loves the commandments.

The more difficult they are, the sweeter and more agreeable it finds them, since this more perfectly pleases the Beloved and gives Him greater honor.”  [Finding God's Will for You, p.20]

 

This year do yourself a spiritual favor, get a copy and read it.  You and God will be delighted.

 

Happy Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the Gentleman Saint.

 

May God Be Praised.