Salesian Literature
VIVE JESUS!
To “Live Jesus” was to have – in Francis de Sales’ words – the name of Jesus engraved on one’s heart,
It was to allow that name to become one’s own true name, to allow one’s entire self
– body, thoughts, affections, actions, decisions, work, devotion
– to be animated by the reality of the person known by that name.
To allow Jesus to live one did not simply learn about Jesus or pray to Jesus or even imitate Jesus.
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Salesian Spirituality: Six Themes
Theme 1: “I am as human as anyone could possibly be.”
Theme 2: “So let us live courageously between the one will of God and the other.”
Theme 3: “Let us belong to God… in the midst of so much busyness.”
Theme 4: “Walk in the presence of God in holy and absolute liberty of spirit.”
Theme 5: “Since the heart is the source of all our actions, as the heart is, so are they”
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Jane de Chantal and Salesian Spirituality
Abandonment to the Will of God’s Good Pleasure
The Possibility of Human Perfection
Prayer
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We must have patience with ourselves
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Principal means of uniting oneself to God and to others
Do not expect an immediate reward in devotion
Be convinced that God wants you to serve Him just as you are
Do not yield to discouragement on account of frailties
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Suffering is the school of humility
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Desire to attain fullness of Christian life
Do all through love, nothing through constraint
Let us always belong to God, unreservedly and without interruption
Humility and charity are the master ropes; all others are attached to them
Throw yourself into God’s arms
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A heart gentle toward one’s neighbour and humble toward God
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Patiently accept being less than perfect
Do faithfully all the things you have to do
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Arm yourself with the patience we should have toward ourselves
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The best prayer is that which keeps us so occupied with God
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Facing Temptations while trusting in God
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Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal
Letters of Spiritual Direction
Translated by
Peronne Marie Thibert, VHM
Selected and Introduced by
Wendy M. Wright and Joseph F. Power OSFS
Preface by
Henry J.M. Nouwen
Paulist Press, New York, Mahwah
1988
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A Spirituality for Everyone
St. Francis de Sales presents a spirituality that can be practised by everyone in all walks of life
© 2017 Fr. Joseph Kunjaparambil (KP) msfs. E-mail: kpjmsfs@gmail.com Proudly created with Wix.com
LETTERS OF St. FRANCIS DE SALES
:: Letters to a Wife and Mother :: Letters of Spiritual Direction :: Letters to Persons in the World :: Letters to Person in Religion
LETTERS OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Preface | Introduction | Historical Context | Themes | Salesian Spirituality | Texts | Citations
Letters of SFS : Soulfour | Brulart | Bourgeois | Chantal | Limojon | Flechere | Cornillon | Chatel | Granieu | Arnauld | Villesavin | Gentleman