Salesian Literature

The Spiritual journey of St. Francis de Sales

- hailed as the doctor of Love and the master of devotion –

is centred on the God of Love who is the origin, sustenance, revival

and destination of every human person.

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The transcendent God dwells in his creation:

the source of its beauty, the guide of its purpose, the master of its fury and the motor of its destiny.

 

Created in the image of God yet born in sin and drawn by self-love

to the things of the earth [like a hen attempting to fly],

the human person is inspired and powered to move towards its goal and fulfilment

[like an eagle in majestic flight]:

 

by opening up to the love of God [like an oyster to the sun in the formation of the pearl] 

revealed in the resurrection of the Incarnate and Crucified Christ;

 

by growing in holiness through the practice of devotion according to the state of life that God has ordained; and

 

by persevering in one’s vocation through the practice of the love of God and Neighbour

through Prayer and Virtue, mutually reinforcing action with contemplation and vice versa.

 

Thus every individual is able to reach, little by little

– through detachment from self-love and attachment to God’s will –

the degree of spiritual maturity that the good God has ordained for each one

according to his vocation.

 

Rebello, Noel MSFS.  Salesian Spirituality: A source Book

 

 

For more on Salesian Spirituality:

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Themes in Salesian Spirituality

“I am as human as anyone could possibly be.”

“So let us live courageously between the one will of God and the other.”

“Let us belong to God… in the midst of so much busyness.”

“Walk in the presence of God in holy and absolute liberty of spirit.”

“Since the heart is the source of all our actions, as the heart is, so are they”

“We cannot always offer God great things, but at each instant we can offer him little things with great love.”

 

Characteristics of Salesian Spirituality

Salesian spirituality starts from the Heart and grows outward

Salesian Spirituality is Relational Spirituality

In the midst of movement Salesian Spirituality finds peace

Salesian Spirituality Today

The Outstanding Characteristics of Salesian Devotion

 

Salesian Views

Introduction to the Devout Life

The Itinerary of the Devout Life

Treatise on the Love of God

Spiritual Conferences

Canticle of Canticles

Controversies

The Defence of the Standard of the Cross

Letters

Sermons

In the Midst of the World

Spiritual Directory of SFS

Salesian Spirituality: Joseph E. Woods OSFS

Two Brothers in the Spirit: St. Bernard and St. Francis de Sales

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Salesian spirituality: An Overview

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