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Post by Hildegard on Aug 2, 2019 1:28:20 GMT
Every Day with St. Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
THE TITLE: Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales (changed from the Italian Buon Giorno . . . Teachings and Examples from the Life of Saint Francis de Sales). This replaced the previous title and subtitle: Saint Francis de Sales in Teachings and Example . . . A sacred Diary Extracted from His Life and Works by the Vistandines of Rome. This title was taken from the first edition (Ferrari, Rome, 1953). CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: Every page contains a thought from the works of Saint Francis de Sales and a brief account of some event of his life which took place on that date.The first taken from the Oeuvres d'Annecy with an indication of volume and page and then the work form which the passage has been taken (e.g. Sermons, Treatises, Letters). As far as the two major woks are concerned, the book or part and chapter have been added, for further clarification. This will allow the reader to refer to the passages for personal consultation or greater understanding. The anecdotes have been taken from the work Anne Sainte, with an indication of both volume and page. Because of the brevity of the selections chosen, we have added a maxim taken froma book by an anonymous author, Massime di S. Francesco di Sales (Salesian Press, Milan, 1929). TEXT AND FORMAT: The Italian revision of the book made necessary the rereading of the selections chosen and a comparison with the original French. Every effort has been made to keep the gentle tone of Saint Francis de Sales. ABBREVIATIONS AND REFERENCES:A.S. Annee Sainte des Religieuse de la Visitation Sainte Marie, (12 vol. ed.) D.S. Diario Sacre extracted from his life and works, compiled by the Visitandines of Rome. (Ed. Ferrari, Rome 1953) INT. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life Hamon P. Hamon, Vie de St. Francois de Sales, (2 vol., Paris 1854) O. Oeuvres de St. Francois de Sales, publiees par lessouis des Religieuses de la Visitation du Premier Monastere d'Annecy (26 vol. , Annecy 1892-1932) SOL. Francis de Sales, Meditazioni per la Solitudine T.L.G. Francis de Sales, Treatise on the Love of God Please note: If you buy the book, the bible quotes are not from the Douay Reims, in putting these meditations online for The Catacombs, I have changed the Bible Quotes to reflect the Douay Reims Bible.
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AUGUST 1st (page 221)
On this day, the feast of Saint Peter in Chains, it pleased our guardian angel to strike at our side and wake us up, giving us a loving attention to the presence of God and freeing us from all the bonds of self-love, so as to consecrate us decisively to divine love.
He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.
[John 21:16] It was not that Jesus doubted that he did, but to have the great pleasure of hearing him say, repeat and protest that he loved Him.
So we must either love or die, because he who does not love remains a dead person.
(Letters 798; O. XV, p. 252)
The Feast of Saint Peter in Chains was special one for Francis de Sales, and he observed it most solemnly in the cathedral of Geneva. He often
preached on that day and never missed presiding over the solemn office. He used to say that the chains of Saint Peter, which was the title
of the cathedral, put a chain around his own heart when he considered how Providence had permitted that his diocese should become the headquarters of the religion of Calvin. In 1603, the saint officiated as a bishop, and his brother Louis de Sales, surprised at seeing him
kneeling and in tears, wanted to know the reason. "Dear me" he said, "I see my Church of Geneva bound by the cords and chains of heresy
and sin. Yet there are no angels at hand to loosen my bonds and open the gates. Instead, a poor sinner, your brother, has been appointed to guard this Church."
(A.S. VIII, p. 2)
As Christians, our most important work is turning to God a hundred times a day. This is true devotion and perfects everything we do, while a devotion that conflicts with our state in life is surely false.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 2, 2019 19:31:48 GMT
Every Day with St. Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
AUGUST 2nd (page 222)
What love can we have proportionate to the infinite goodness of our Creator, Who from all eternity has determined to create, preserve, govern, redeem, save and glorify all people in general and each person in particular? What was I when I was not? What was I, I who even
now when I am something am still only a mere pitiful creature of earth? Yet from the depths of His eternity God thought thoughts of blessings on my behalf. He meditated and planned, yes, determined the hour of my birth, of my baptism, of all the inspirations He would give me, and, in sum, all the benefits He would provide and offer to me. Ah, is there any kindness like this?
(T.L.G. Book 12, Ch. 12.; O.V. pp. 343- 344)
The feast of Saint Mary of the Angels was very dear to the heart of Francis de Sales. In his travels in Italy he used to visit the sanctuary of the
Portiuncula and used to say that after the house of Loretto and the tombs of the apostles Peter and Payul, he had not received any greater interior gifts than those he received at Saint Mary of the Angels. He used to celebrate this feast on August 2nd as a true son of Saint Francis of Assisi, when he preached and received the special indulgence and urged others to foster this devotion. Father Philibert of Bonneville, many times provincial of the Capuchins and an intimate friend of our saint, said that he did not believe that the seraphic patriarch of Assisi had a more devoted or faithful son than Francis de Sales, who carried out all the practices of piety prescribed by the Third Order.
(A.S. VIII, p. 29)
Certain tender devotions are often tricks of the devil, who, by this means, stupifies souls and makes them believe that they are already saints.
In dryness and adversity, do not lose hope; in consolations and prosperity, do not fear; but humble yourself in either case; that is, always.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 4, 2019 1:52:42 GMT
Every Day with St. Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
AUGUST 3rd (page 223)
Eternal God, how is it possible for a soul that has the love of God ever to lose it? Where that love is, it resists sin. How, then, can it happen that sin makes entry into such a soul, since ". . . stern as death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion . . ."? [Sg 8:6] How can a reasonable soul that has once tasted such great sweetness as that of heavenly love ever willingly swallow the bitter wasters of sin? The heavens themselves are astonished and the angels of peace are bewildered at such abysmal misery in a human heart that has
abandoned a good so worthy of love in order to attach itself to things so lamentable.
(T.L.G. Book 4, Ch. 1.; O. IV, p. 216)
To keep himself in the presence of God, Francis de Sales employed many devices. "The third of which," he told Father de la Riviere, "is a method without a method, not containing anything extraordinary and not depending on his will, but only on the will of the infinite goodness of God." The
above mentioned priest once said that he would not venture to describe it, because he did not think the saint himself was able to do so. Often it is impossible to express in words the experience of outstanding gifts. At any rate, we can say that the Holy Ghost infused in his soul a profound
certainty of the indwelling of the Spirit in his heart. This feeling grew in him, without any conscious effort on his part, although not without
his consent. It could be defined as a chaste kiss, a heavenly balm, a "Yes, here I am, have no doubts about it." He often spent entire hours in this miraculous embrace; sleep found him thus, as did his first waking. It could be said that he did not put himself in the presence of God, but God came of His own accord; it was not he who entertained God, but God Who entertained him; it was not he who went in search of God, but God Who came to
find him; he did not go toward God, but God came toward him; he did not run after God, but God ran after him! As proof of this, we know that he
once declared to a person privately that every morning, on awakening, he felt inundated with the divine presence. This could not have been a product of his imagination, since the confusion of sleep could hardly produce such an experience. Every day he found himself in the divine embrace. A soon as sleep left him and his senses became alert, he was filled with heavenly blessings.
(A.S. VIII, p. 51)
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 4, 2019 2:03:10 GMT
Every Day with St. Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
AUGUST 4th (page 224)
The person who has a real desire to serve the Lord and avoid sin should in no way get upset about the thought of death and divine judgment. Although we should fear both, that fear should not be something terrible or terrifying so as to cause depression or lower our spiritual vigor and strength of spirit. It ought to be a fear so totally fused with confidence in the goodness of God as to become something
beautiful and peace-giving.
(Letters 1974; O. XXI, p. 12)
On a pastoral visitation in Faucigny on August 4th, 1606, with much effort Francis de Sales climbed the mountain where the Church of Our
Lady of Francy-sur-Clusse was located, and in doing so bruised his legs, causing them to bleed. His companions saw this, and he confessed that he was really tired. However, he said that he felt in his heart two reactions: one, of confusion for not being more accustomed to working
hard in the service of God; the other, of joy because he could at least say he had shed his blood in the service of the generously continued his work for the Good Shepherd, reaping abundant fruit in that parish. From there he wrote to Mother Chantal that he had
experienced marvelous consolation in finding in these alpine villages angelic souls who were perfectly formed by the sole guidance of heavenly grace.
(A.S. VIII, p. 170)
The well-being of the home depends on the parents' words, but far more on their bevavior.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 5, 2019 15:18:31 GMT
Every Day with St. Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
AUGUST 5th (page 225)
O free will of my heart, how good a thing it will be for your to be bound and laid upon the cross of your divine Savior! How desirable a
thing will it be for you to die to yourself so as to burn forever as a holocaust to the Lord! Our free will is never so free as when it is a slave to
God's will, just as it is never so servile as when it serves our own will. It never has so much life as when it dies to itself, and never so much death as when it lives to itself.
(T.L.G. Book 12, Ch. 10; O. V, pp. 340-341)
On August 5th, 1606, Francis de Sales, continuing his pastoral visitation to the mountain parishes of Fucigny, preached to the people on the title of Our Lady of the Snow. He said that this feast should have a special meaning for them, because throughout the year, in most of the mountains,
there was so much ice and snow that the sun never succeeded in melting them. These places, in appearance so wild and frightening, were inhabited by people who were very fine Christians, kind of courteous. The saintly bishop found great pleasure in visiting them, and liked to call them the pious children of Our Lady of the Snow. As the three young men in the furnace and the saintly king David, they too wanted to bless and praise the Lord
amid snow and ice. [cf. Dn 3:70; Ps 148:8]
(A.S. VIII, p. 85)
I have no desire to be considered learned or to make a show of the little that I know; yet neither do I want to fail to use what I know or to pretend
that I am ignorant.
Take it as a certain sign that your charity is not genuine if your words, no matter how true, are not charitable.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 8, 2019 0:42:15 GMT
Every Day with St. Francis de Sales Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
AUGUST 6th (page 226)
How beautiful is the face of Jesus transfigured on Mount Tabor [cf. Mt 7:2] and how beautiful it is to keep Him company on that mount of glory! There we must center our desires and our affections, not in this land of miseries, where we can find only vain beauty or beautiful vanity! By t he grace of our Savior, however, we are climbing Tabor, because we have made stable and firm resolutions to love deeply and to serve the Divine Goodness. But we must encourage ourselves with holy hope and climb without getting tired, until we have that heavenly vision of God. So let us detach ourselves, little by little, from base and earthly affections, and look forward to the heavenly happiness that awaits us.
(Letters 614; O. XIV, pp. 338-339)
On August 6th, 1605, our saintly prelate announced with great fervor the extraordinary jubilee in honor of the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Paul V, and he was most anxious that his people should fully profit from this treasure opened up for them by the Church. The same day of the same year,
because of a dispute fomented by the Protestants of Geneva, the saint sent them a letter inviting them to a public debate, to be held on a day and place of their choice, even in the center of Geneva. He committed himself to this debate in writing and said that if they could have mutually friendly discussions without letting any bitterness creep in, it would not be too difficult to come to some sort of working arrangement. When human respect and self-love
intrude into purely spiritual matters, the end result is always the ruin of everything.
(A.S. VIII, p. 112)
Wherever you go, try to pick up something good. Be like little bees that always return to their hive with nothing but honey.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 8, 2019 0:54:25 GMT
Every Day with St. Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
AUGUST 7th (page 227)
Self-love, esteem of ourselves and false liberty of spirit are roots that are not easily eradicated from our hearts. We cannot stop them from producing sinful fruits. As long as we are in this life, we cannot even totally prevent the first shoots and branches; namely, the first indications and the first acts.
We can only moderate them and lessen their number and influence by the practice of contrary virtues, especially the virtue of the love of God.
(Letters 1173; O, XVII, p. 60)
On August 7th, 1606, still carrying out his pastoral tour and great difficulties, Francis de Sales visited the parishes of Saint Peter of Sionzy and
Saint Hippolytus. This exhausted him because he had to go on foot to places where carriages could not reach. Several cuts on his legs caused him a lot of pain, however, his pastoral zeal drove him to help his sheep. Many persons were brought to him possessed by the devil, who greatly disturbed the inhabitants and even the animals of the region. The saintly prelate smiled at the people and said, "Oh! That's nothing." Then, calling the parish priest, he said "Why, my dear brother, do you allow your children to be tormented? Are you unaware that there is a God in Israel?" [cf. 2 Kgs 5:15] Entering the church, he was followed by all the people and by those poor people afflicted by the devil. After praying for some time before the Blessed Sacrament, he addressed a few words of instruction to the faithful; then he sprinkled the possessed persons
with holy water and drove out the devil. Instantly the devil abandoned that place, and the people were happily set free. Francis de Sales often used to say that if we only knew how to use rightly the power that God has entrusted to the Church, we would have visible evidence that no one is so weak as the devil.
(A.S. VIII, p. 147)
Accustom yourself to have a humble and tractable heart, quick to agree in all that is lawful. In this way you will acquire true Christian charity.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 8, 2020 20:38:48 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
August 8th (page 228)
“Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments.” [Canticles 1:3] As the bridegroom has poured out his love in the soul and heart of the bride, so in turn the bride pours out her love into the heart of her bridegroom. A honeycomb, struck by the burning rays of the sun, melts and loses its original form to flow toward the part that was touched by the sun. So the soul of this lover melts and flows in the direction from which the sun of its delight comes, losing its natural form to follow Him Who is speaking to it. (T.L.G. Book 4, Ch. 12; O. IV, p. 345)
Francis de Sales was a Dominican Tertiary; at that time a person could belong to the Third Order of many religious orders. As a confrere and son of that holy founder, he used to pass the day of his feast in a Dominican community, joining the brothers in prayer and praise of the holy patriarch with great fervor. Father Blanc, the oldest Dominican in the monastery of Annecy, who was on very close terms with the bishop, said to him on one such occasion, “My lord, you must have our church at heart more than all the others in the city. Here you were confirmed; here you preached the Lenten sermons quite often; here you set up the institute for the teaching of catechism; here you were enrolled among our Tertiaries.” “That’s true,” replied Francis, “but it is also true that I put this church third in my love for the churches of this city. The first would have to be Saint Peter in Chains, which is my spouse; then the Visitation, consecrated by me, which belongs to my daughters; and the third affection.” “However,” rejoined the Dominican priest, “we have in this church the tomb of your ancestors, and here will be your final resting place.” Then the saintly bishop smilingly replied: “Oh my dear father, I am a son of Mary, so I will have to return to her breast to find true repose.” In this way he indicated that he wished to be buried in the Church of Saint Mary. The priest answered, “But would you not be doing wrong in abandoning the tomb of your fathers by not being buried in our house?” “In truth, Father, I will have to leave all that to Providence. However, after our death, both of us will stay where we are put!” (A.S. VIII, p. 147)
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 9, 2020 19:20:55 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
August 9th (page 229)
We must be patient and little by little root out our bad inclinations, overcome our aversions and control our emotions. This life is truly a continual warfare, and there is no one who can say, “I am never tempted.” Peace is reserved for Heaven, where the palm of victory awaits us; on earth there is a continual struggle between hope and fear. However, our hope must be strong, relying on the omnipotence of God, Who is always ready to help us. So never tire of fighting for your growth and perfection. (Letters 1173; O. XVII, pp. 160-161)
On August 9th, 1606, Francis de Sales visited the Church of Saint Gervasius of Nivay. It would be impossible to describe the pleasure that the good pastor experienced when he was among his poor sheep who were simple people. He treated them with real fatherly care and often recounted the story of their piety and the innocent and pure life that they led. On occasion, he would write down with his own hand some of the details of their lives. At other times, he had others write down certain incidents which he considered simple and saintly. He sent a copy of these to the castle of Monthelon, where the saintly baroness of Chantal was then living. She wrote back to say how much she enjoyed reading these incidents. Admiring the fruits of divine grace in those simple souls, Francis seemed to see, like Moses, [2]And the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he saw that the bush was on fire and was not burnt. [3] And Moses said: I will go and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. [cf. Ex. 3:2-3] “We must,” he used to say, “be John the Baptizer and nourish our hearts with wild honey and common honey. Whether we live in the country or in the city, we must make all things rebound to the growth of our holy love of God.” (A.S. VIII, p. 205)
Never lament your afflictions. Accept them with calm and patience; it is enough to know that they come from the hand of God.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 10, 2020 15:35:40 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
August 10th (page 230)
Often raise your eyes to Heaven, and you will see that this present life is nothing but a passable toward eternal life. If our way of living and our senses, numbed at seeing and esteeming the world and this earthly life, make us feel quite foreign to spiritual things, let us amend this error in the light of faith. Only faith makes us consider those people happy who, in a brief time, have brought their voyage to an end. (Letters 852; O. XV, pp. 346-347)
On August 10th, 1594, Francis de Sales was asked by the parish priest of Annecy Le Vieux to preach in his parish for the titular feast of Saint Lawrence. The young provost went there to celebrate Mass and preside over the liturgical functions. When people learned about this, they flocked in from all around and made this village seem like a big city. The saintly preacher was able to keep the attention of all those people with his preaching, with dialogue catechism sessions, with processions and with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. They had no time to amuse themselves with dances, games and public shows, as would ordinarily have happened at the village celebration for the feast. (A.S. VIII, p. 224)
Every time I enter a place consecrated to the august queen of Heaven, I feel that I am in my mother’s home.
Let the waves roar all around Thee. Let the wind blow. Let the world turn upside down. Let everything Be in darkness, in smoke, in confusion. Thy angels are around Thee like sentinels of God. Nothing can hurt Thee. God is near.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 11, 2020 14:34:47 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
August 11th (page 231)
If we want to enjoy interior peace, it is necessary to have one will and one desire: to love Jesus crucified, employing all our faculties and energies for this purpose. Different indeed is the peace resulting from this love – a peace that the world does not give. The worldly boast of their peace, but certainly it is a false peace that eventually will be destroyed. (Sermons 30; O. IX, p. 301)
On August 11th, 1605, the duke of Bellegarde, taking time from his public responsibilities, made his general confession to Francis de Sales. Accepting him as his spiritual director, he begged Francis for a rule of life. He also promised to call him Father and swore that from then on he would give himself no other title than that of his son. It was for this gentleman that the saintly bishop composed the Guide for a General Confession. He also wrote admirable advice for his spiritual life, in addition to letters that are greatly admired for balanced judgment, piety and discretion. In one of these letters, he wrote: “Yes, to obey you, I will call you my son, but understand that out of honor and respectful gratitude you will be my Joseph, and through politeness and affection my Benjamin.” With such kindness the holy director distilled in the soul of this penitent the most authentic myrrh of Christian ascetiscism, taking into account the lofty duties of his high social standing. Nothing, in fact, is more painstaking and exact than the directions which he gave prescribing an examination of conscience on the commandments of God and the obligations of a Christian governor. (A.S. VIII, p. 241)
It is not always in your power to do important things; sufficient are the small things that offer themselves every hour of the day . . . But do them with devotion and love.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 13, 2020 18:31:58 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
AUGUST 12th (page 232)
The Christian must love his or her own body as a living image of the incarnate Savior, as a shoot from the same trunk, and, as a consequence, bound to Him by blood relationship. In a special manner we must love our body after having received the divine body of the Redeemer in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist. In Communion we renew our alliance with Christ’s body, having been dedicated and consecrated to the Divine Goodness by means of baptism, confirmation, and the other sacraments. (T.L.G. Book 3, Ch. 8; O. IV, p. 193)
The feast of Saint Clare was one of particular importance for the holy prelate. Although the poor Clares owed submission to the Conventual Fathers and not to the bishop, he did not fail to preach in their church, not only for the feast of their holy mother and patroness, but many other times throughout the year, saying, “I do not consider myself as having authority over you; I want only the love and union of hearts, and God gives me the grace find myself at ease with those who want to love and serve the Divine Goodness.” The holy prelude made many offerings to the monastery of Saint Clare and even managed to confer Sacred Orders in their church, so as to give these religious the offering presented on these occasions. (A.S. VIII, p. 264)
Do not be one of those who sell at ceiling prices and buy at bargain prices, this is what is done by those Who accuse their neighbor of slight faults and excuse their own major faults.
Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father Who cares for you Today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either HE will shield you from suffering or He will give You unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.
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August 13th (page 233)
It is a common saying that as one lives, so shall he die. What kind of death do you think the blessed virgin had, if not a death filled with love? In her life we do not read of raptures of ecstasies, because her whole life was a continual rapture of burning love. Now, when the moment comes to leave this miserable earth, love separates the soul from the body. As nothing was found in her that prevented her from the possession of glory, since her whole being was pervaded by purity and beauty, she immediately flew to Heaven after her death. (Sermons 21; O. IX. Pp. 182-183)
On August 13th, 1603, Francis de Sales received at Gex the abjuration of quite a few Protestants in the household of the duke of Bellegarde and others from that province and preached with great apostolic zeal. The Protestant ministers were indignant and decided to try to diminish the public’s opinion of him. They did not dare to engage him in open debate, and, because of the law as of the state, were not prepared to lay hands on him themselves. They succeeded, however, in winning over to their cause someone form the house where the saint was lodging, and so plotted to poison him. The saint was secretly informed that he had been given poison and had time to take an antidote. However, so as not to compromise the interests of the Catholic religion at that decisive moment, he wanted to keep the matter a secret, saying, “We are in a Church that is just being born. Christ has willed to warn us of this attempt, and we know how to administer an appropriate remedy, so what else do we want? With the sacred sign of the cross and with a lively faith in the Lord, I believe and hope that the deadly and poisonous elements will not hurt us.” His servants called the doctors, who, because of his upset stomach and vomiting, knew that it was a case of poisoning. The servant of God, always conscious of the Church, imposed silence on everyone and made a vow to go on foot to Our Lady of Compassion at Thonon. By the favor of God he experienced a complete recovery. (A.S. VIII, p. 288)
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 14, 2020 14:46:09 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
August 14th (page 234)
After the soul of the blessed virgin had left its mots pure body, her body was laid in the tomb and restored to the earth. The same thing happened to the body of her Son. It was reasonable and just that the mother should not enjoy more privileges than the Son, but as Our Lord rose after three days, so she was restored to life, but in a different manner. The Savior rose by His own power; the Virgin Mary rose by the power of her Son, Who commanded her soul to be reunited with her body. It was right that her most holy body should not be subject to corruption. From that body Our Lord Jesus Christ had taken His bodily existence, remaining in her most chaste womb for the space of nine months. (Sermons 21; O. IX, p. 184)
On August 14th, 1604, our holy bishop visited the Church of Saint John the Baptist at Daux; it was also on this day that he composed and wrote in his own hand a method for reciting the rosary. In that parish he found many good souls with great affection for the mother of God but with very little knowledge of the mysteries of her holy life. Because of this, he kindly gave his instructions to the parish priest, who preserved in the parish, as a precious relic, the writing of the holy pastor. The instructions are as follows: “Take the rosary in your hands by the cross, which you should kiss after making the sign of the cross with it; then place yourself in the presence of God and recite the Creed. On the first large bead, invoke God, ask Him to bless the act of devotion you are about to offer, and beg Him to help you with His grace to pray well. On the three small beads implore the intercession of the Madonna, greeting her as the daughter dearest to God the Father, as the most worthy mother of the Son of God and as the beloved spouse of the Holy Ghost. At every decade, pause to ponder a mystery of the rosary, recalling this mystery particularly when pronouncing with great internal and external reverence the holy names of Jesus and Mary. If you experience any other affection, such as sorrow for sin or a resolve to amend your ways, you can dwell on that throughout the entire rosary as much as you wish. On the large bead that you find at the end, you should pray to the Divine Majesty that He may be pleased to accept your homage, for His glory and for the good of the Church. Ask Him to keep you always in the embrace of that Church and to bring back all who have strayed. Complete your prayer with the sign of the cross.” (A.S. VIII, p. 315)
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 15, 2020 16:33:44 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de SalesTeachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers AUGUST 15th (page 235) In the presence of our queen assumed into Heaven, we profoundly vow our heart that she may flood it with the “dew of Hermon,” distilled from the holy fullness of grace. How sublime is the perfection of this dove comparison to all of us! Oh, how I have desired that amid the immensity of our miseries she will find and bring the olive branch of holy love. In purity, in gentleness and in prayer, may she carry it as a sign of peace to our dear Jesus! Long live Jesus, long live Mary! (Letters 1230; O. XVII, p. 271)
The feast of the Assumption was truly the feast of the heart of Francis de Sales. In 1602, he gave a proof of this in a magnificent sermon he preached at Saint John’s in Grève (Paris) on the words, “Who is she who ascends from the desert” [cf. Sg 3:6] His lovely, strong message filled every heart with devotion for the holy mother of God. In the introduction to his Theotimus, the saint alluded to this sermon, saying that he had extracted it from chapters thirteen and fourteen of the seventh book of that treatise, when he had given a true and loving account of the death and glory of the Madonna. Father Lorpel, the parish priest of Saint John’s, found a copy of this sermon and placed it in a gold frame adorned with crystals and the proof of authenticity by the bishop of Paris, so that it might be preserved as a precious relic in the church where it was preached. The saint regularly preached on the feast of the Assumption, glorying in the fact that he was born on August 21, and therefore in the octave of the feast. (A.S. VIII, p. 332)
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength.
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Post by Hildegard on Aug 16, 2020 18:06:45 GMT
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
August 16th (page 236)
Soon we shall be in eternity, and then we shall see how very petty are the things of this earth and how inconsequential it is whether we are involved in them or not. Now we get all worked up as if they were terribly important! When we were small children, how carefully we collected pieces of wood, stone and such to build huts, and if someone knocked them down we cried; then we were all put out, but now we understand how unimportant these things were. We will feel the same way one day in Heaven, when we see that all our preoccupations in this world were nothing but childish concerns. Be faithful to your duties, but be convinced that there is nothing more worthy or more important than eternal salvation and the perfection of your soul. (Letters 455; O. XIX, p. 22)
On August 16th, 1606, having passed the previous day hearing, confessions and preaching in honor of the glorious Virgin Mary, Francis de Sales resumed his pastoral visitations in the Church of Saint Christopher of Morillon. There he preached in honor of Saint Christopher and Saint Jacinta. He spoke of the tradition of the old painters who represented Saint Christopher with the Child Jesus on his shoulders, and of the historical account of the miracle of Saint Jacinta. She was less robust than Christopher, but succeeded in saving the Blessed Sacrament and a marble statue of the Madonna from profanation. She carried both in her arms, something she could not have done without supernatural intervention. The holy prelate drew some beautiful moral conclusions form these stories to teach the people about the veneration and love every son and daughter of the Church must have for Jesus Christ and His mother. With joy in his heart, he preached on the Assumption throughout the octave of the feast in the various parishes he visited. (A.S. VIII, p. 359)
It is a natural thing to try to hide one’s defects. But if this is so, why are we so Delighted when the defects of others are revealed?
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