Salesian Literature

Preface

 

Come, O sons and daughters of eternal benediction, and as was said to Ezekiel (2:8; 3:3) and to the beloved disciple of the Beloved of your souls (Apoc. 10:8-10): Come, take, hold, and this book.  Swallow it, fill your souls, nourish your hearts with it. Let the words written herein remain day and night before your eyes that you may meditate on them, and in your arms that you may practise them, and let your whole interior praise God for them.

 

This book will prove bitter to your interior, for it will lead to the perfect mortification of your self-love; but it will be sweeter than honey to your mouth because it is an incomparable consolation to mortify our love of self that we may cause to live and reign in us the love of Him who died for love of us.  Thus your bitterest bitterness shall be converted into the sweetness of a superabundant peace and you will be filled with true happiness.

 

I entreat you, my children, nay, I beg and conjure you, my beloved sons and daughters, be strong, firm, constant, unchanging, and so abide that nothing may separate you from the heavenly Spouse Who has united you together, nor from that union which is to keep you united to Himself, so that having but one heart and soul, He Himself may be your only soul and heart.  Blessed is that soul that shall observe this Directory, for it is faithful and true.  And to all the souls that shall follow it, may there be forever given abundantly the grace, peace and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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