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Post by Hildegard on May 2, 2019 19:11:04 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 1st
(page 123)
What greater honor or grace, what more real and perfect happiness can we desire, than that of being loved by God? Yet our hearts allow themselves to be carried away by their caprices and go from creature to creature, just as if they were going from house to house, to see if they can find lodgings and discover real satisfaction. All in vain! God, Who has reserved the human heart for Himself, has forbidden all creatures to give our hearts genuine satisfaction and contentment, so that we are forced to return to Our Lord. And even if we return to Him more by force than by love, God does not refuse to restore us to His grace, to give us back the place we had previously enjoyed, and to caress us without inflicting any reproaches. (Sermons 46; O. X, pp. 45-46)
On May 1st, 1619, Francis de Sales founded the first Convent of the Visitation in Paris. He exposed the Blessed Sacrament and spent the entire day in prayer. With praise and thanksgiving he acknowledged the goodness of God, Who had showered so many blessings on his efforts to establish this foundation. He had met with many difficulties and foresaw others which could only be overcome by God’s intervention. He pointed this out clearly to Mother Chantal, whom he had summoned to Paris for this purpose. As soon as he saw her, he said to her, “My mother, you must be surprised that I have called you to found a convent in this city without any guarantee that it will last. Do not be surprised, because it is neither you nor I who will do this great work; it will be the divine hand of the Savior which will establish it with His power and bless it with His grace.” These words were confirmed by the marvelous progress of that convent. Its blessings were so numerous that people believed that Francis de Sales had spoken prophetic words. They were convinced that he was inspired by the Holy Ghost. (A.S. V, p. 2)
We all have a vocation. We believe that God has called us to this State in life to fill a special need that no one else can accomplish.
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Post by Hildegard on May 2, 2019 19:13:12 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 2nd
(page 124)
As the day breaks we see more clearly in a mirror the spots and stains of our faces. I n the same way, as the inward light of the Holy Ghost enlightens our consciences, we see more clearly and distinctly the sins, inclinations and imperfections that keep us from reaching true devotion. The same light that enables us to see such defects and imperfections inflames us with a desire to cleanse and purify ourselves of them. (INT. Part I, Ch. 22; O. III, pp. 62-63)
Francis de Sales, consecrated a bishop only a few months previously, went to Turin, as his office obliged him to do. After he had received a very warm welcome from the royal house of Savoy, he retired from the plaudits of the court to go to Carmagnola to visit the bishop of Saluzzo, Bishop Juvenal Ancina, a holy and learned person. He had formed a close friendship with this good man in 1599 in Rome. As soon as the news of the bishop of Geneva’s visit to Carmagnola became known, all flocked to his hotel. All wanted him to be their guest, saying that, since they already considered him a guest in their hearts, they would like to host him in their homes as well. But Bishop Ancina absolutely wanted the privilege of giving him hospitatlity, because he felt so honored by his visit. Together the two holy bishops went around to visit the churches and to venerate the relics reserved in them. Both of them spent a good part of the evening hearing confessions, since the next day was the feast of Saint Juvenal, the patron of Bishop Ancina wanted to examine his conscience and receive advice from his holy guest. Seeing them together, you would have said that Saint Anthony the abbot was receiving a visit from Saint Paul, so clearly were piety and holiness evident in their persons. (A.S. V, p. 29)
Keep a very close watch over anxiety of spirit; it is most detrimental to devotion.
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Post by Hildegard on May 3, 2019 21:13:19 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 3rd (page 125)
Let us consider for a moment if lively faith in the cross of Mount Calvary is firmly rooted in our intellect. Faith was indeed implanted there in baptism, but has a sort of idol been fabricated there by our imagination? Let us see if in our memory, where hope has been planted, we have replaced it with an image of some beautiful goddess; if in our will, where God has planted charity, we have introduced vanity and the love of earthly things. In imitation of Saint Helena, we should uproot these cursed figures to reerect the cross, saying with the apostle, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.” [Galatians 6:14] (Sermons 18; O. IX, p. 179)
On May 3rd, 1603, Francis de Sales assisted at the solemnities at Carmagnola for the feast of Saint Juvenal. Bishop Ancina sang the Mass, and at the Offertory invited Francis de Sales to mount the pulpit; it was the custom of older Bishops, when they were visiting, to preach to the people. Francis willingly agreed, mounted the pulpit and spoke of the honor we must give the holy cross, adapting his words to the Holly Mass with great eloquence, energy and piety. He immediately won over the hearts of his audience. At first he preached in Italian, but Bishop Ancina told him to preach in French if he wished. The people spoke this language, since only until recently the county of Saluzzo had been a part of Piedmont. He finished his sermon in French, to the edification of all. The people did not know which to admire more, his learning or his holiness. In addition, he had given a wonderful example of humble obedience. The two bishops met when they left the church, and Bishop Ancina addressed Francis with these Latin words, “Tu vere sal es” (You are really the salt of the earth), alluding to his name of sales. Francis replied by alluding to the name of Saluzzo, which is combination of the two Latin words, sal (salt) and lux (light). He graciously replied, “Immo tu sal et lux es, ego vere, neque sal neque lux.” (You, dear bishop, are truly a combination of salt and light, but I am neither one nor the other.) From then on these words served as mottoes for the two prelates, when they wrote to each other with brotherly affection. They parted company on this occasion with a great deal of sadness, so closely were they united by ties of holiness. Francis continued his pilgrimage and went to visit the most holy virgin of Mondovi. (A.S. V, p. 69)
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Post by Hildegard on May 3, 2019 21:27:25 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 4th (page 126)
Whoever does not fear death is a fool. He runs a great risk of being lost forever, because the place to which we go after death is eternal. We will be saved or damned for eternity. The great servants of the Lord were very much aware of this and feared this terribly important event . . . . yet all the same they joyfully desired and sought it, confident of the outcome. (Sermons 62; O.X. p. 318)
On May 4th, 1613 as Francis de Sales was returning from Milan, he passed through Turin. He had a very special devotion to the Holy Shroud, which was being publicly venerated in Turin on that day. He was delighted to be commissioned by the king to show this famous relic to the people. It was already hot in Piedmont, and so it happened that during the ceremony of exhibition our holy prelate bowed his head a little, and some drops of perspiration from his forehead together with his tears, fell on the Sacred Shroud. The heart of the saint was flooded with joy at the thought that the Redeemer of the world had willingly given us His sweat and His blood. This is how he describes the incident in a letter to Mother Chantal: “The cardinal prince almost lost his temper when he saw my sweat and tears fall on the Shroud. I assure you, my dear mother, that I would like to have told him that Our Lord was not so careful, because He had actually shed His sweat and His blood to unite us all to Him and make us capable of meriting the reward of eternal life.” (A.S. V, p. 99)
The soul draws no great profit in merely thinking a lot about God, but in loving Him greatly.
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Post by Hildegard on May 5, 2019 18:03:02 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 5th
(page 127)
After his conversion, the repentant Augustine humbly used to say, “O Lord, . . . you have loosed my bonds. To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving.” [Ps 116:16-17} Take note, I beg you, how the heart of the saint was full of gratitude toward God. Certainly one of the most serious sins that people commit is forgetting the graces which they have received. This defect has its roots in the failure in the first place to acknowledge the debt contracted with Divine Goodness for all His graces and benefits. When this ingratitude resides in the intellect, it is truly bad and dangerous because it passes on to the will and becomes such a vice that it makes a person completely forgetful of the debt of gratitude he or she owes to God. This is the greatest of all evils and one of the major impediments to grace.
(Sermons 33; O. IX, pp. 329, 334)
On May 5th, 1613, Francis de Sales was preaching in the principal church of Turin in the presence of the princes of the court. Through forgetfulness the archbishop of Turin had not asked him to put on the mantle, which, as a matter of courtesy, was used by Italian bishops when preaching in another diocese. Francis did not think of it and mounted the pulpit dressed as a simple priest in surplice and stole. He had just begun his sermon when King Charles Emmanuel noticed this, and, turning to the archbishop, said to him: “Your Grace, you have forgotten your duty and allowed the archbishop of Geneva to go into the pulpit dressed like one of your canons.” The prelate excused himself, saying that he had forgotten all about it. The king would not accept his excuse, so the good archbishop took off his own mantle before all the congregation and asked a priest to take it to the preacher and beg him to put it on. Very calmly, Francis interrupted his sermon, made a deep bow, and turning to the archbishop, said, “I do not merit this honor, Your Grace, but I will put it on out of obedience.” He kissed the mantle, put it on, and continued with his sermon, during which the archbishop remained in his place dressed like a simple canon. As soon as he finished preaching, Francis took off the mantle and immediately went to the archbishop, accompanying his gesture with such humility that the prelate admired him all the more.
(A.S. V, p. 122)
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Post by Hildegard on May 7, 2019 1:12:27 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 6th
(page 128)
Meditate more and more upon the wounds of our Savior; you will find there an immense treasure-house from which you can draw. How vain and unworthy is that heart which fixes it abode anywhere else, or which selects any place but the cross in which to build its nest. No, nothing else is really worthy of our love. We owe everything to that kind Savior Who has given Himself for us without reserve. (Letters 330; O. XIII, p. 147)
May 6th, the feast of Saint John Lateran, found Francis de Sales preaching to his Daughters of the Visitation. He suggested to them that one day they were destined by Providence to be adorers and imitators of the heart of Jesus. “When some prince or other great person dies suddenly,” said the saint, “there is the custom of examining his corpse immediately to ascertain the cause of his death. Now, when Our Lord died of love on the cross, He willed that His side be opened, to let all see that He was dead. His death was not caused by any sickness. It was not the torments but only love that caused His death. He showed us that we should love Him because of the great love He has for us. Just before breathing His last, He said these words, ‘and Jesus crying out with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.’ [Lk 23:46] ‘But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. ‘ [cf. Jn 19:33-19:34] The wound in His side truly showed that He was dead, not from some sickness but out of love for us. (A.S. V, p. 149)
Try not to be too attached to your own judgment; it makes one drunk with all its reasoning’s.
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Post by Hildegard on May 7, 2019 17:04:16 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 7th
(page 129)
Be patient, not only as regards severe afflictions that come your way, but also regarding accidental circumstances that cause annoyance. For example, we must be patientin sickness, but we must also accept its attending circumstances of place and time and its accompanying difficulties. The same must be said about other tribulations.
(INT. Part III, CH. 3; O. III, p. 135)
On May 7th, 1617, Francis de Sales received with great devotion and pleasure the diploma of affiliation to the Order of Barnabites, called Clerks Regular of Saint Paul. In 1613, he had invited them to come from Milan and set up a foundation in Annecy. He had a fatherly affection for them which he showed in many ways. These religious repaid this affection by the zeal and concern they showed in introducing the first steps toward his canonization. In response to the desire of the foundress of the Visitation, two of them made special visits to Rome 1634and 1635 for this purpose.
(A.S. V, p. 178)
Be present at the community recitation of the divine office. You will not only gain merit for doing this, but will receive more consolation than by performing your own
particular devotions. God wills that what is done in public should be of better quality than what is done in private.
Be patient! You cannot correct all your evil habits and imperfections in one day. It would be presumptuous to think that you can so quickly overcome your old self.
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Post by Hildegard on May 8, 2019 23:12:29 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 8th (page 130)
Let us love one another from the bottom of our hearts. To inspire us to have this holy love, we have a powerful motive. Our Lord poured out His blood on the cross, to the last drop. He wished, as it were, to make a sacred chalice which would hold, unite, bind and bring together all the members of His Church; namely, all Christians, He willed their union to be so strong that no division among them would ever be possible. (Spiritual Treatises IV; O. VI, p. 65)
On May 8th, 1630, the queen of France, Marie de Medici, who was on her way to Lyon, visited the famous relic of the heart of Francis de Sales. With much devotion, kneeling down, she accepted a gift of relics, including three beads from the saint’s own rosary, which she later had embedded in a precious ring. On solemn religious occasions she wore this ring while receiving Holy Communion. The same queen sent a messenger to a certain gentleman of the Dauphine to ask him for a pair of glasses used by the holy bishop. She wanted them to cure an eye complaint from which she was suffering. She wanted them to cure an eye complaint from which she was suffering. She often said afterwards that she had never found a better remedy than that. (A.S. V, p. 195)
A habitual moderation in eating and drinking is much better than certain rigorous abstinences made from time to time. Generally speaking, such hard practices are followed by excesses of relaxation.
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Post by Hildegard on May 9, 2019 19:22:57 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 9th
(page 131)
We belong to God in all things and without reserve, without any exception whatsoever. Our only motivation should be the honor of being entirely His. If we have in our hearts one single fiber that is not His and that does not belong to Him, Oh God! We should be prepared to rip it out. Let us be at peace, and let us say (looking only at the cross), “Yes, if we were to be aware that even a tiny portion of our hearts was without the seal of the Crucified, we would not want to keep it for a single instant.” (Letters 358; O. XIII, pp. 200-201)
For several months, Francis de Sales had confided to his cousin, Louis de Sales, his aspirations toward the priesthood. On May 9th, 1593, he told him that he had now decided to declare his intention to his parents, in order to be free of the continued pressure from his family to seek a worldly career. He was amazed to hear his cousin reply that he had already taken measures to offset the objections of Francis’s father. Louis had talked over that matter some time before with the Very Reverend de Ronys, a canon of the cathedral, who had arrived that very day at La Thuille Castle. Together they had obtained for him the vacant office of provost. The surprise of the saint was equaled by his amazement at the Providence of God and the Kindness of his friends. He lowered his eyes, raised his heart of Him who controls all things, and resolved to talk to his father immediately. According to the deposition of Louis de Sales at the process of beatification in 1627, Francis said to his father, “I come, sir, to ask you one thing. If it pleases you to grant me this favor, I will never bother you with any other. My request is your consent for me embrace the priesthood.” Louis de Sales, then coming forward, said to the father, “Here is my cousins’s decree, dated on March 7th, in which the Holy Father, Clement VIII, has appointed him provost of our cathedral.” There was much discussion and exchange of ideas between father, mother, son, cousin and Canon de Ronys. It ended with our saint receiving permission; because of Francis’s admirable reasons and generous resolutions, his parents knew that it would be useless to oppose his holy desire. “Oh, dear me,” his mother said, “We must give our consent to this son to follow the voice of God Who calls him. Otherwise, the same thing will happen that happened to Saint Alexis and Saint Bernard, who fled from their homes when they believed that they were going to be forced to take up positions in the world.” Francis’s father, in tears, said to him, “Oh well, my son, in the name of God, do what you feel He has inspired you to do. On my part, I give you my blessing.” The holy young man, falling on his knees, exclaimed in a loud voice, “Now that I have obtained what I desired so strongly, no one in the world will ever snatch me from the hands of my God.” (A.S. V., p. 217)
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Post by Hildegard on May 11, 2019 20:41:40 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 10th
(page 132)
And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me [cf. Lk 9:23] must be understood in this sense: We must cheerfully receive all the crosses that are given to us, even the slightest and the most insignificant. In this way we can understand the value of small crosses. (Sermons 2; O. IX, p. 19)
On May 10th, 1593, Francis de Sales got up early and put on the cassock blessed by Father Amed Bouvard, priest of La Thuille, a most learned and virtuous man, who had shared the first confidences of the saint about his resolution to consecrate himself to God and to the Church. This virtuous man had secretly obtained Francis’s measurements and had his cassock made. In this way he was redy to clothe the young man with it as soon as he had obtained his parents’ consent. Later, this venerable old man was greatly consoled when he heard this fact related in the process of beatification of Francis de Sales. With tears in his eyes, he asserted that it would be impossible for any novice to receive the religious habit with greater humility, interior piety and modesty than Francis showed in putting on the sacred cassock in the church of La Thuille. He was so recollected in his habit that Canon Bouvard said to him, “To look at you one would think you received the habit of a Capuchin!” The young man replied, “I am taking the habit of Saint Peter. Only by dispensation did I remain in the world, but interiorly I was bound to the chains of the great apostle, the first pope and our patron.” (A.S. V, p. 241)
The Christian does not look upon his or her life as grim. Rather, the fulfilling of duties and obligations is the easy way to please God.
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Post by Hildegard on May 12, 2019 0:21:08 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 11th
(page 133)
A person loses nothing by living generously, nobly, courteously and with a royal, just and reasonable heart. Philothea, resolve to examine your heart often to see if it is disposed toward your neighboras you would like his to be toward you, were you in his place. This is the touchstone of true reason. (INT. Part III, Ch. 36; O. III, p. 259)
On May 11, 1593, Francis de Sales prepared his soul for the next day, the day on which he was to personally take charge of the office of provost in Annecy. His dear confreres, de Ronys and de Sales, had taken care of the external preparations, presenting to the Chapter of Saint Peter of Geneva his titles of nobility and doctoral degree. These were both necessary for the position he was about to assume, and they were found to a high degree in our saint, together with his other commendable qualities. Therefore, all in the chapter and in the entire city were happy about his promotion. The happiest man of all was Bishop De Granier, who saw a good omen for the future in the events of that day. On this same day in 1579, with the permission of the pope and the duke of Savoy, his predecessor, Bishop Giustiniani, had handed over to him the episcopal seat of Geneva, which he had held for twelve years. Carried away by enthusiasm, the holy prelate asserted that on the anniversary of that day God had given him Francis as his joy and his crown, as a staff for his old age, and perhaps as his future successor.
(A.S. V, p. 262)
In ordinary acts of little kindnesses, we have a chance to practice virtue more often, with greater humility and with greater holiness.
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Post by Hildegard on May 12, 2019 0:33:24 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 12th (page 134)
A truly loving heart loves God’s good pleasure, not only in consolations but also in afflictions, trials and crosses. In fact, in such cases it even loves more. Love does just this; it makes the lover ready to suffer for the beloved. (T.L.G. Book 3, Ch. 2; O.V, p. 113)
On May 12th, 1593, Francis de Sales took possession of the office of provost of the cathedral of Geneva by kissing the high altar and by performing all the other ceremonies prescribed for this occasion. All were delighted to see him in his ecclesiastical habit. People came in droves to the church, with the result that the canons, hemmed in on all sides, found it hard to move. Standing in front of his stall, the new provost gave an impromptu address on humility and trust in God. He concluded with words indicative of the spirit with which the young saint took on the ecclesiastical dignity: “For your support and my own, I beg you, Most Reverent Fathers, to consider how God is accustomed to select the most useless things of this world to confound the strong. He perfects His praise through the mouths of children. This should make it easy for everyone to refer back to Him all good things received, which come from Him alone.” Having said this and making a deep bow to the assembly, Francis stepped down from his stall, while the people showered him with blessings and praises. (A.S. V, p. 280)
Fish lose all their freedom when they are out of the water. So also the soul begins to be a slave, enchained to self-love, when it is separated from God.
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Post by Hildegard on May 25, 2019 19:20:14 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 13th (page 135)
We must set our hearts firmly in God and never withdraw them, because God alone in our peace, our consolation and our glory! What can we expect if we do not unite ourselves to our dear Savior? We are indeed fortunate to be able to graft our hearts onto that of the Savior. He is united to the divinity, the sacred root of the tree of which we are the branches. “Yes, dear Jesus, do with my heart according to Thy own pleasure! I do not want to have any further rights over it. I donate, consecrate and sacrifice it forever to Thee.” (Letters 1492; O. XVIII, pp. 320-321)
On May 13, 1593, Francis de Sales spent the better part of the day with his bishop. He offered himself to him as a humble novice to his master. From him he sought advice, direction and a blessing in preparation for the retreat leading to the reception of Sacred Orders on the Saturday after Pentecost. This retreat also enabled him to get away from the continual round of congratulations and public praise at a time when there was universal enthusiasm for his person. (A.S. V, p. 295)
Humility makes us distrust ourselves, poor and weak as we are. Generosity makes us trust more in God, the fount of all good. These two virtues, therefore, are inseparable.
May 14th (page 136)
How unfortunate are those who fall from the tops of high mountains! When they fall from these heights, the poor creatures roll and roll without stopping, right to the bottom of the precipice. The same thing happens to those who fall spiritually because they do not persevere in the service of God! It is a strange thing. After a good beginning and perhaps persevering for thirty or forty years in the service of God, just as they reach old age, when it is time to harvest the fruits of their labors, they tumble into the abyss of sin. How inscrutable are the divine judgments! No one must presume on his own ability to the divine judgments! No one must presume on his own ability to persevere or rely on his good works, as if he had nothing to fear. (Sermons 65; O. X, p. 375)
On May 14th, 1622, the marquis of Lullin, a man who was very devout and affectionate toward our saint, tried to put pressure on him to accept the archbishopric of Turin. He indicated that it would be a wonderful thing for his family. He also pointed out that his brother, already titular bishop of Chalcedon and his coadjutor, would thus reach a higher degree of dignity. Besides, his promotion would enable him to be of greater help to his many nephews. The holy prelate answered him with a smile. Later he wrote: “My nephews are already richer and more famous than they were some time ago. They were born tiny little creatures, small and naked, and now they have grown up and all have their own clothing. As for my brother and me, my only desire is that he will increase and I will decrease. Let him be in the public eye so that I can remain hidden. I wish to rest in the shadow of the cross, writing some good thoughts that the Lord gives me for the good of the children of His Church.” (A.S. V, p. 315)
How many times do we say, “I have so many defects; I am so imperfect!” But how do we react if others say the same things about us, or even if they say less serious things?
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Post by Hildegard on May 28, 2019 22:01:04 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 15th (page 137)
Mental prayer is no less useful to us or less pleasing to God when we suffer many distractions. As a matter of fact, it could be more useful than if we had many consolation, because it means harder work for us. It suffices that we faithfully try to drive away the distractions, not allowing our spirit to dwell on them willingly. The same can be said of the difficulties we meet from day to day in keeping our spirit recollected in God and in heavenly things. In all this we need patience. We must never grow tired, doing everything for the love of God. (Spiritual Treatises IX; O. VI, p. 14)
On this day, May 15th, the solemnity of Pentecost in 1622, a white dove landed on the bare, bald head of the venerable prelate, Francis de Sales, while he was pontificating in the cathedral. The holy bishop seemed to all to be like a seraphim, and remained motionless for a long time until the dove disappeared, without giving any indication of where it came from or where it was going. Nobody could understand how it had remained quietly in the church with all the clanging of the bells, the sound of music and the singing. Such surroundings would be more likely to drive away rather than attract this gentle and timid creature. (A.S. V, p. 335)
Some have a malign and false humility. They refuse to make use of their gifts in the service of God and neighbor,
with the excuse that they are too weak and could easily become proud.
May 16th (page 138)
It is right and fitting that redeemed people should live no longer for themselves but solely for Him Who died for them! A noble soul constantly focuses its thoughts, affections and aspirations on eternity. Whatever is not eternal, whatever is not infinite is valueless to it. We should raise ourselves above all vain pleasures, our eyes fixed on eternal riches. (Letters 992; O. XVI, p. 213)
On May 16th, 1600, Francis de Sales was taken up with his apostolic work in the Chablais. He received from Rome very sweeping faculties to absolve from several delicate and secret cases. The Holy See relied on his prudence in securing peace and tranquility for his new converts. This suited the holy apostle very well, because his greatest joy was to put souls at peace with God. To achieve this he spared himself neither fatigue nor inconvenience. Because of his great interest in his work, he refused the Abbey of Ripailles, which the duke of Savoy wanted to give him. He wrote to the prince that it would be better to entrust the abbey to the care of the Carthusians, and requested that it be given to them. The abbey was then confided to those holy hermits, who kept it until the time of the French Revolution. (A.S. V, p. 357)
A preacher or teacher should not wish to appear more learned than he really is. If he abstains from such wishes, he is truly wise.
Those who are rich in the enjoyment of worldly pleasures are poor in the matter of
spiritual consolations, even incapable of enjoying them.
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Post by Hildegard on Jun 11, 2019 17:15:55 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
May 17th (page 139)
Our Lord dedicated His divine life to instructing, us how to be saved an how to be acceptable to Him. Not only did He suffer for us even unto death on the cross, but He also sustained countless persecutions from those very people for whom He suffered. He wants us to imitate Him in this: by carrying our cross, by suffering for one another, even by giving our life for those who want to take ours.
He wants us to be always ready to put up with our neighbor, not only in pleasurable circumstances but even when the going is rough. Like Him, we must resist all that can weaken the ardor or our love
for our neighbor. Persecution must not daunt us.
(Sermons 59; O.X, pp. 275-276)
On May 17th, 1617, one of Francis de Sales's friends told him that a certain person who had no time for him was boasting that he had seen him acting in a very angry way. The holy bishop, smiling, replied, "Oh, I am a poor man, subject to passions, but God has given me the grace that, ever since I have been appointed a pastor of souls, I have never said a disdainful word to one of my flock. There are certainly occasions when there is a need to speak out strongly because justice demands it. I have always asked persons who are at fault to inflict their own punishments upon themselves; thus I avoid the unpleasant duty of doing so myself. But I am ready to act myself when necessary."
(A.S. V, p. 388)
He who wishes to prevent his heart from being sullied by earthly things should remain in the company of Our Lady, virgin and mother. Such a person will have his heart fixed in Heaven and will be free from all human boasting.
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