Salesian Literature

Salesian Views on

::   Death  ::   Detachment  ::   Devotion  ::   Discipleship

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Devotion

 

Preliminaries:

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, Preface Those who have written about devotion have nearly all had in mind the instruction of persons completely separated from life in the world. 

 

Description of True Devotion

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:1 You seek devotion, dear Philothea, because as a Christian you know that it is a virtue very pleasing to God. 

 

Nature of Devotion

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:2 To discourage the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, they were told that it was a country that devoured its inhabitants.

 

Devotion suitable to everyone (Varieties of devotion for varieties of people)

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:3 God commanded the plants, at the creation, to bear fruit each according to its kind (Gen. 1:11).  Similarly, he commands Christians, the living plants of his Church, to produce the fruits of devotion, according to each one’s ability and occupation.

 

Necessity of Guide to make progress in Devotion

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:4 When young Tobias was told to go to Rages, he said, I do not know the way at all.  His father replied, Well, go and find someone to be your guide.  (Tobit 5:2,4).  Similarly, I say to you, dear Philothea: If you want to set out earnestly on the path of devotion, find some good person to guide and direct you. 

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Deliberate choice of the devout life

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:18 Contemplate the beauty of this kingdom of devotion.  How beautiful the sight of this assembly of virgins, men and women, whiter than the lily; this gathering of widows, full of holy self-denial and humility. 

 

Letters

 

Do the will of God joyfully: The virtue of devotion is nothing other than a general inclination and readiness of the soul to do what it knows to be agreeable to God. 

 

Letter to Madame Brûlart: The means of attaining perfection vary according to the diversity of callings: religious, widows, and married persons – all must seek this perfection, but not all by the same means.

 

Letter to Madame Brûlart:  As for your desire to see your dear ones make progress in the service of God and in their longing for Christian perfection, I praise this desire of yours tremendously and, since you wish it, shall add my poor prayers to your supplications to God for this intention. 

 

Letter to Madame de Limojon:  And how happy you will be if in the midst of the world you keep Jesus Christ in your heart!  I beg Him to live and rule there eternally.  Keep in mind the main lesson He left us – in three words so that we would never forget it an could repeat it a hundred times a day: “Learn of me,” He said, “that I am gentle and humble of heart.” 

 

Do not expect an immediate reward in devotion:  Persevere in overcoming yourself in the little everyday frustrations that bother you; let your best efforts be directed there.  God wishes nothing else of you at present, so don’t waste time doing anything else.  Don’t sow your desires in someone else’s garden; just cultivate your own as best you can; don’t long to be other than what you are, but desire to be thoroughly what you are. 

 

On obtaining true devotion and peace of soul

 

Letters to Persons in the World, Letter to Madame Brûlart.  The virtue of devotion is nothing other than a general inclination and readiness of the soul to do what it knows to be agreeable to God.

 

Letter to a Wife and Mother, 2: As often as you can throughout the day make sure that you don’t become too deeply engrossed in what you are doing and so lose your sense of proportion; make sure, too, that you have one hand firmly in the grasp of our blessed Lord. 

 

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