Salesian Literature

Scriptural Citations

 

In a manner remarkable for a Counter-Reformation bishop, Francis de Sales exuded a familiarity with the stories, the sense, and indeed he text of the Bible.  He spontaneously used scriptural example and phrases, as he said, “not always to explain them, but to explain myself by means of them.”[1]  If this was true of his published works, it is even more evident in his letters.

 

Following the Annecy Edition, we have endeavoured to identify these scriptural quotations, adaptations, and allusions by way of footnote.  In the case of direction quotations, the New American Bible version is followed as closely as possible, and the footnote simply gives the scriptural citation.  Often, however, the quotation will differ somewhat from our modern English versions either because Francis cites from memory, or he adapts the material slightly to fit the context.  The abbreviation “cf.” (“confer,” “compare”) indicates such situations.  Sometimes Francis relies upon a Vulgate reading which differs from the Greek and Hebrew sources used as the basis for today’s English translations.  Thus, the reader who consults an English translation may find a text quite at variance from the one Francis used.  In this case, the Vulgate version is included in the note.

 

Chapter and verse citations for the Old Testament follow the numbering of the Hebrew text.  The abbreviations of the books of the Bible follow those used in the New American Bible.

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[1] Oeuvres, III, 2: Introduction, “Advice to the Reader.”

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