Novena in Honour of St.Francis de Sales 

(15th to 23rd January 2023)

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INTRODUCTION

This page contains nine days of the novena to our Heavenly Patron, St. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Divine Love and the Gentleman Saint. It has three different parts for each day: The Word of God, Reflections and Silent Introspection.

The materials used are from the books written by our Patron, “Treatise on the Love of God” and “Introduction to the Devout Life”, the Apostolic Letters of various Popes about our Patron, very specially the recent one of Pope Francis. His Apostolic Letter entitled ‘Totum Amoris Est’ (‘Everything Pertains to Love’) on the 400th Death Anniversary of St. Francis de Sales, and from books and articles written by MSFS confreres.

I sincerely thank Fr. Johnson Gonsalves MSFS, the director of DSM for giving me the opportunity to prepare the thoughts and reflections for the novena in honor of our Patron St. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of the Church. May God bless us all through his intercession.

Fr. Ramesh George MSFS,

Fransalian Seminary, Pune, India

Words of Gratitude:

On behalf of the Superior General and his Curia, as well as all our confreres, sisters, brothers, Fransalian Associates, benefactors, friends and well-wishers, I would like to thank and appreciate Fr. Ramesh George for preparing the novena in honour of Our Patron whose feast we celebrate on 24th January. His hard work of referring to various books and sources, to prepare the reflections and insights given in the present context, will surely help us in our spiritual preparation and growth, in imitation of this great saint for our times, particularly in this Year of SFS. We remain ever grateful to Fr. Ramesh for his spiritual contribution. Also, we appreciate the budding talent of a young artist Master Amartya Rajat Roy of our SFS School, Nallasopara, West who has drawn the portrait of SFS in crayon colors which is used on our cover page. Congratulations to him and his mentors.

Fr. Johnson Gonsalves MSFS

Director, DSM, Hyderabad

Day-1 SFS - A Saint firmly rooted in Prayer

Word of God: Mark 3: 13-15

Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So, he appointed the twelve.

Reflection

The Word of God clearly points out that the primary calling of each one of us is to be with God. The power comes from being with God to engage ourselves in any missionary endeavours outside. St. Francis de Sales learned, understood and equipped himself as a person to be first immersed in the love of God in prayer and then to engage in other activities in the mission.

St. Francis de Sales defines prayer very beautifully: “Prayer is opening our understanding to God’s brightness and light, exposing our will to the warmth of his love. Nothing else purifies so well our understanding of its ignorance and our will of its sinful attachments. It is spring of blessings and its waters quench the thirst of the passions of our heart, wash away our imperfections, and make the plants of our good desires grow green and bear flowers,” (IDL, Part II, Chapter -1, p. 85).

Pope Francis in his recent Apostolic Letter on the fourth centenary of the death of St. Francis de Sales, “Everything Pertains to Love,” very clearly mentions about the beauty of our relationship with God under a sub-title ‘wind and wings.’ He says, the ultimate reason and practical purpose of St. Francis de Sales’ Treatise was to illustrate to his contemporaries the attractiveness of the love of God. He quotes St. Francis de Sales that “we are not drawn to God by chains of iron, like bulls or oxen, but by invitations, enticements and holy inspirations; these are the cords of Adam and of human kindness, rightly befitting the human heart, which is naturally free”.

Further, Pope Francis citing the example of St. Francis de Sales about a bird called apods triggers us to grow in intimacy with God. “The bird apods have short and weak legs. When they fall to the ground, they remain there; they can only fly if there is a strong wind. If they flap their wings in response to the force of the wind, the wind itself will continue to help them by pushing them ever higher, in order to help them to fly higher and higher”. Pope Francis calls us for the same saying that we are created by God to fly, to spread our wings in response to the call to love, but once we fall to earth, unless we choose to open those wings to the wind of the Spirit, we risk never again being able to fly. Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Are we deeply rooted in prayer and intimacy with God? Does our prayer life and practical life correspond to each other? Do we engage in personal prayer and community prayer?

Prayer:

O Gentle Francis as you have said, “The glass of a mirror would not catch our reflection if its back were not covered with tin or lead,” help us to see the imprint and the reflection of God in us to unite completely in him, through him and for him. Amen.

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Day-2:  SFS - A Saint so true in Devotion and Holiness

Word of God: 1 Pet 1: 15-16

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Reflection:

Reflection:

The Word of God brings us to light that all are called to be holy as God is holy. Therefore, holiness is not the duty or privilege of the few individuals but everyone. The holiness of life that we have and live with will prove our closeness and intimacy with God. St. Francis de Sales was such an inspiring saint who was intimately united with God and brought about a change in the mindset of people who held that holiness is the path of the few individuals or religious, but a universal call to all.

St. Francis de Sales highlights the importance of devotion and holiness saying, “God commanded the plants, at the creation to bear fruit each according to its kind. Similarly, God commands, the living plants of his Church, to produce the fruits of devotion, according to each one’s ability and occupation. Devotion is to be practised differently by the nobleman, the workman, the servant, the prince, the widow, the young girl, the wife. Even more than this, the practice of devotion has to be adapted to the strength, life-situation and duties of each individual. (IDL, Part - I, Chapter -3, p. 40)

Pope Francis in his recent Apostolic Letter on the fourth centenary of the death of Saint Francis de Sales, “Everything Pertains to Love,” says that a second great crucial decision of St. Francis de Sales was to approach the issue of devotion, which in our own day, the dawning of a new age had raised a number of questions. Therefore, two aspects need to be understood and re-appropriated today. The first is the very idea of devotion and the second is its universal and popular character. Pope Francis quotes the words of our patron in IDL saying, there is only one true devotion, and many false ones. We need to distinguish true devotion from false; otherwise we would fall into error and waste time running after some useless and superstitious devotion”. Further, Pope Francis recalls the words of Saint Paul VI, who wrote on the fourth centenary of the birth of St. Francis de Sales, “Holiness is not the prerogative of any one group, but an urgent summons addressed to every Christian. All of us are called to ascend the mountain of God, although the path may not be the same for each one.”

Yes, call to true devotion and holiness is open to all. Each according to one’s degree, capacity or caliber, life-situations and occupation, we need to follow the path of true devotion, excel and obtain holiness of life like our patron St. Francis de Sales. Devotion enhances our intimacy with God and holiness enriches life as pure and sacred before God and one another. Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Do we have genuine devotion to God and do we manifest it by the holiness of our life? Are we able to distinguish between the true and false devotion and choose to be truly devout and holy in our relationship with God?

Prayer:

O Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “True and lively devotion presupposes the love of God,” help us to realize that the deepest roots of our existence is in God and to cling on to him with pure love that attaches and connects us as children of God. Amen.

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Day-3: Theme: SFS- A Saint so Devoted and Dedicated to the Holy Eucharist

Word of God: Jn 6: 53-56

 So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.

Reflection:

The Word of God points out to us that the one who participates in the Holy Sacrifice of Love will abide in God and will have eternal life. The Holy Eucharist creates a special bond between the human and divine. That is what the Vatican II Council document Lumen Gentium, (no. 11) mentions, “Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.” Such is the importance and reverence given to the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church.

In all surety, the Eucharist played a vital role in the life of St. Francis de Sales. He always had a high regard, a holy reverence for the Holy Eucharist. It is said that right from his childhood, Francis developed a tender devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He accompanied his mother to Mass at the Church of Thorens. He built a small chapel in a corner of the hall of the castle to say his prayers. In Paris for his studies, he frequently attended Holy Mass at the chapel of the College of Clermont or in the Church of the Capuchins.

Although, during the time of St. Francis de Sales, it was unusual for priests to celebrate Mass daily, he was faithful to his daily celebration as testified by his servant George Rolland in the first process of Beatification. When St. Francis de Sales had to move from Les Allinges to stay in Thonon from 7th of March 1595, where it was not yet allowed to celebrate Mass, he used to walk five kilometers to Les Allinges to celebrate Mass, in spite of the bad weather, rain or snow.

Francois Favre, who used to assist at Mass says, “When St. Francis de Sales celebrated Mass, he would appear quite different, with a serene countenance, never distracted. And at communion, all present were most impressed and moved to devotion, for his face was aflame, seemingly united to the divine love that was present.” All the above experience made our Patron to give a very beautiful description and expression of the Holy Eucharist in the Introduction to the Devout Life. He says, “Holy Eucharist is the sun of spiritual exercises, the most holy, sacred and supreme Sacrifice and sacrament. It is the centre of the Christian religion, the heart of devotion, the essence of piety. It is a mystery beyond description that encloses the abyss of divine charity. Through it God touches us in reality and gives us his graces and favours with abundant generosity,” (IDL, Part - II, Chapter-14).

Yes, all these indicate that St. Francis de Sales was a great lover of the Eucharist and its zealous apostle for the sanctification of souls. He experienced the Lord fully in the Holy Eucharist, and he lived and witnessed to all to be Eucharistic-centered persons. We need to be likewise Eucharistic-centered persons, propagating devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and encouraging frequent communion at all times. Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Are we well-prepared, well-instructed and well-disposed to the Holy Eucharist? Is our life centered on the Eucharist? Do we devoutly and reverently participate in the Holy Eucharist?

Prayer:

O Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “Prayer united to this divine Sacrifice has a power beyond words. By it each one overflows with heavenly blessings, as if leaning on the beloved,” help us to be intimately untied to the divine Sacrifice and obtain blessings and favours for life. Amen.

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Day-4: SFS - A Saint so Zealous for God's Mission

Word of God: Matt 28:19 - 20

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

The Word of God recalls our mission that Christ has entrusted to the Church, to the Apostles and to us. We are called to be partakers and contributors of God’s mission on earth. However, in our missionary endeavour, we need to realise it is not our mission but God’s mission; it is not we who work but God works. That is why after entrusting the mission to the apostles Jesus said, “I am with you always.”

We know that St. Francis de Sales firmly believed in the presence of God in all his mission endeavours. The remarkable mission fulfilment of St. Francis de Sales is worth remembering always, although it might become monotonous. But it speaks of his zeal and enthusiasm for God and for God’s mission.

Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Letter “Everything Pertains to Love,” under the title, ‘the discovery of a new world’ clearly writes, that after completing his course in the humanities, Francis took up studies in law at the University of Padua. Although he had already decided upon the direction of his life, despite resistance on the part of his father, at the request of Bishop Claude de Granier, he was called to carry out a difficult mission in Chablais. It was a territory belonging to the Diocese of Annecy, the presence of Calvinist, a centre of Calvinist reformation and propaganda. These were intense and exciting years, but Francis discovered his gifts as a mediator and a man of dialogue. He devised several bold and original pastoral practices, like the famous pamphlet posted everywhere and even slipped under house doors.

Yes, such was the zeal and enthusiasm of St. Francis de Sales for mission. It was a difficult mission indeed, but our Patron makes it a success, although he had to undergo initial struggles, endure pain and suffering when people did not respond, when it appeared a waste of time. But gradually St. Francis could see the change in the people of Chablais. It is because of his spiritual initiatives and immediate preparations for missions; seeking the prayers of everyone, he personally prayed and fasted. Today what causes failure in our modern missionary efforts is our dependency on money and equipments of the modern world rather than the spirit of God and prayer. So let us depend on the spirit of God and prayer for the success of mission endeavors in our times. Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Do we replace and rely more on money and the equipments of the modern world than on the spirit of God and prayer in our mission? What becomes our prime concern - is it the mission of God or the mission of oneself?

Prayer:

O Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “True zeal has intense fervour but is unchanging, solid, gentle, hardworking equally loveable and untiring,” help us to have the zeal and vigour for God’s word and work. Amen.

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Day-5: SFS- The Spiritual Guide and Spiritual Director of Many

Word of God: Acts 8: 29-31

The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it. Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Reflection:

The Word of God gives us a clear cut picture that we need eligible or right persons to help, guide and direct us in understanding the scriptures, just as Philip helped a man who was reading but did not understand the scripture. Similarly, in our path towards spiritual growth and faith, we need a spiritual guide and director, who can guide and direct our thoughts and ways to know, to love and to understand God’s ways to be in union with our Creator. Indeed, St. Francis de Sales was one such precious jewel, who guided and directed many people during his life as a priest and bishop.

Pope Paul VI in his Apostolic Letter “Gem of Savoy,” (Sabaudiae Gemma) on the occasion of the 400th Birth Anniversary of St. Francis de Sales acknowledged the contribution of our Patron saying, “St. Francis de Sales appears as a new doctor of the spiritual life quite suited to the present age. It is not because he breaks the bonds and cords with the preceding centuries that he is called new and modern; on the contrary, his doctrine remains profoundly anchored in the fullness of the faith of the Church, in tradition and in the teaching of the Fathers of the Church...”

In the Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales insists on how important is a spiritual guide. He says, “Dear Philothea, if you want to set out earnestly on the path of devotion, find some good person to guide and direct you. This is the most important advice,” (IDL, p. 42, Part- I, Chapter-4). Further our Patron advises us, “Always look upon this guide as an Angel. Once you find him do not consider him as an ordinary man. Do not put your trust in him or in his human knowledge but in God. God will give you grace and speak to you through this man, putting in his heart and in his mouth, that you should listen to him as to an Angel come down from heaven to take you there. Open your heart to him with complete sincerity and fidelity, clearly disposing to him the good and the bad in you without pretending or concealing, so that, the good in you will be assessed and secured, and the bad in you will be set right and cured.” (IDL, p. 43-44, Part - I, Chapter 4)

Indeed it is a delight to know that after his priestly ordination, St. Francis de Sales became the spiritual guide and spiritual director of his family. His own experience in his family, his knowledge of the situations and professions enabled him to give appropriate guidance to the family. We also know that Madame de Chantal and Madame de Charmoisy who is the Philothea to whom the book IDL was addressed, and Madame de Brulart, the friend of St. Jane de Chantal, chose St. Francis de Sales as their Spiritual Director.

As an ardent priest and gentle Bishop, St. Francis de Sales guided many people spiritually in the pastoral field. Moreover, in and through the book, “Introduction to the Devout Life,” even today’s generation benefit a lot, to reach the peak of spiritual fountain, fervor and faith. So let us value and respect our spiritual director and guide, the direction and guidance they give us, to grow in spiritual fervor and attain spiritual maturity in the faith that we profess and live. Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Do we have a spiritual guide and a spiritual director to nurture our faith and sustain our relationship with God? Do we take for granted the spiritual guidance and spiritual direction they give us?

Prayer:

O Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “The relationship between the spiritual guide and the directee should be strong and gentle, entirely holy, sacred, divine and spiritual,” help us to keep the bond between the spiritual director and directee sacred and holy, so that we may grow in a loving and sacred relationship with God our Father. Amen.

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Day-6: SFS - The Doctor of Divine Love

Word of God: Matt 22: 36-39

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Reflection:

The Word of God presents before us the first and most significant command that God places before us. It is love of God, love of others and love of oneself. We all know that St. Francis perfectly blended himself with the love of God, neighbour and oneself. The love for God is very significantly seen in the writing of the “Treatise on the Love of God” and the love for others is seen in the writing of “Introduction to the Devout Life.” However, more than in his writings, our Patron practiced them in his life and concretely manifested the love of God and neighbour.

Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Letter “Everything Pertains to Love,” clearly writes that by experience, St. Francis de Sales had come to realize that desire is at the root of all true spiritual life, but also the cause of its disgrace. The ultimate criterion for this assessment is love. In his final conference in Lyon, on the feast of St. Stephen, two days before his death, he had said: “It is love that grants perfection to our works. I will tell you much more. Take a person who suffers martyrdom for God with an ounce of love; that person merits much, since he could give nothing greater than his own life. Yet another person who has only suffered a scratch with two ounces of love will have much more merit, because it is charity and love that give value to our works”.

Further, in the same apostolic letter Pope Francis recalls the words of St. John Paul II, who called St. Francis de Sales the “Doctor of Divine Love”. He was called the doctor of divine love not because he had written a weighty Treatise on that subject, but first and foremost he was an outstanding witness to that love. His writings focused on the concerns of ordinary people. His teachings were the fruit of a great sensitivity to experience. Enlightenment by the Spirit,he merely translated into doctrine what he had experienced and learned in the course of his remarkably innovative pastoral activity. We find it summed up in the Preface to the Treatise on the Love of God: “In Holy Church, everything pertains to love, lives in love, is done for love and comes from love”.

Yes, St. Francis de Sales did everything out of love and nothing from compulsion, because he was completely enveloped and gripped by the love of God, and he loved God as well, so purely and perfectly. A loving word and a loving deed, a loving correspondence and association was the spine of his life. Today, we are also called to love God and deal with one another with love. God came down to us for love of us, similarly we all can get along with God by love of Him, and with others for love of them. The rule of love cannot be ruled out, because “God is love and the one who lives in love, lives in God, and God lives in him.” (1 Jn 4:16)Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Do we love God and others genuinely and generously? Is our love for God and others limited by conditions and expectations? Do we lovingly accept the mission/ministry entrusted to us, or do we see it as a compulsion/ burden?

Prayer:

O  Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “Love holds the first rank among the emotions of the soul. It is the king of all the movements of the heart,” help us to be completely immersed in love, to love God, our neighbours and ourselves. Amen.

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Day-7: SFS-The Gentleman Saint

 Word of God: Matt 11: 28-30

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reflection:

The Word of God invites each one of us to cast our burdens and worries unto Jesus because He is ready and willing to carry them on our behalf. Jesus’ heart is so gentle and humble, that he does not wish us to suffer or go through pains. So Jesus calls us to find the delightful treasure in Him and to find our rest. We all know that St. Francis de Sales was a gentleman by birth, education and status, but what earned him the title of The Gentleman Saint was the gentleness of his heart seen in his life and in his ministry as a Priest and a Bishop.

St. Vincent de Paul gives his testimony concerning the gentleness of St. Francis de Sales; “St. Francis de Sales ardently wished to imitate the Son of God. So closely did he model his life on our Lord, as I myself saw, that many a time I asked myself with astonishment how a mere creature could reach so high a degree of perfection, given human frailty. Recalling and meditating on his words, I felt them to be so admirable that I could only see in him the person who nearly reproduced the Son of God living on earth.”

St. Jane de Chantal testifies: One day I asked Francis de Sales to get just a little worked up about various setbacks we were having in connection with our Visitation monastery here, but all he said was: “Do you want me to throw away in a quarter of an hour the little bit of control I have painfully managed to acquire over twenty-five years?” (St. Francis de Sales -Formative Biography, by Anthony Mookenthottam, p. 332)

St. Francis de Sales dedicated two chapters in the Introduction to the Devout Life, (Part III, Chapter 8 and 9) to gentleness towards our neighbour and ourselves. In our gentleness towards others, our St. Francis exhorts, “as soon as we perceive that we have acted with anger, make reparation for the fault by a prompt act of gentleness with the one we became angry. He also says that we should not have only kind words for our neighbour, rather the whole heart and interior soul should be kind. Because those who seem to be angels in public fail by being devils at home.” (IDL, Part III, Chapter- 8, p. 167). Gentleness to others needs to be manifested in the totality of self.

Further, one of the unique teachings of St. Francis de Sales regarding gentleness is gentleness towards ourselves. Therefore, he says to Philothea, that the correction made by a father gently and with love has much more power to correct the child than one made with anger and fury. So too when our heart has committed some fault we must correct it with gentle, calm remonstrances, with more compassion for it than against it, encouraging it to amendment. Thus the repentance it will form will sink in much more and penetrate more deeply than a fretful angry, and a stormy repentance.(IDL, p. 169, Part - III, Chapter- 9).

Today, all of us become very easily impatient with ourselves and with others. We are not ready to accept ourselves as we are and others as they are. At times we remain or end up in conflicts and confusion. There is no peace within and a lot of inner turmoil and struggle. So let us pray that in and through the intercession of our Patron, the Gentleman Saint, we may learn to be gentle with our neighbours and with ourselves. Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Do we practice gentleness with the younger ones, our equals and the elderly? Do we gently care for others, carefully handle the given work or do we easily give in to anger and impatience and lose our self-control?

Prayer:

O  Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “Rain falling gently on fields make them plentiful in grass and grain, but streams and rivers with strong currents rush through the land, and ruin their neighborhood,” help us to be gentle in our dealings and relationships with one another. Amen.

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Day-8: SFS- The Patron of Catholic Writers and Journalists

Word of God: 1 Cor 12: 4-7

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Reflection:

The Word of God speaks to us of the varieties of gifts that we have but it is given by the one and the same Spirit, Lord and God. Each one of us is unique and special in every way. Therefore, in the sight of God, we are all equal and manifest the same spirit as children of God. The unique feature of St. Francis de Sales was his thirst and caliber for writing and presenting it well, for all to understand better and to achieve the purpose of his literary contribution.

The writings of St. Francis de Sales has so much depth and quality that it made Pope Pius IX in his Apostolic Letter to the universal Church, to proclaim St. Francis de Sales as a Doctor of the Church in 1877. The Apostolic Letter states, “that the books, commentaries and all the works of the Doctor of the Church, be cited, introduced, and used both privately and publicly in schools, academies, colleges, lectures, disputations, interpretations, assemblies, other ecclesiastical studies, and all Christian activities as the case requires.”

We all know that it was Pope Pius XI, who proclaimed St. Francis de Sales as the patron saint of writers and journalists in 1923, because he used flyers and books to help and guide people spiritually and to convert the Calvinists. Very specially St. Francis earned this title because of the widely read and used books “Introduction to the Devout Life” and “Treatise on the Love of God”. Pope Pius XI says, it would be impossible to exaggerate the value of his books and pamphlets. These books ought to be distributed as widely as possible among Catholics, for his writings are easy to understand and can be read with great pleasure.

Further, Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Letter “Everything Pertains to Love,” clearly writes, although he never claimed to develop a theological system as such, his reflection on the spiritual life proved to be of outstanding theological importance, because it contained two essential dimensions of any genuine theology; the spiritual life and the life of the Church. The spiritual life because of the humble and persevering nature in prayer to understand and communicate the Word of God. The life of the Church because of the ability that St. Francis de Sales had to think in the Church and with the Church.

St. Francis De Sales had a remarkable gift for writing. The books he wrote are marked with authentic wealth of doctrine, thought and clarity. He stands as a model for all Catholic writers and journalists not to be deceived by prejudiced opinions, not to support people for monetary gains but to remain true and honest and work for the common good of all.

Yes, St. Francis De Sales had the ability to convey the message of God to people in ordinary metaphors, imageries, examples and quotations from the Scriptures and the Church Fathers. We also need to follow the path of our patron in contributing our literary caliber with insightful thoughts and novel ideas, and promoting people to use the creative way of writing to promote and permeate the Good News of God near and far. Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Do we encourage others and ourselves to grow in our literary caliber, in the art of writing articles and essays on various topics and issues? Are we prejudiced by others’ opinions or do we twist the truth by dishonest ways and means?

Prayer:

O  Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “Knowledge is the eighth sacrament of the Church for the priest,” help us to study in real earnest, to be men and women of learning, living an exemplary life and answering the questions related to faith and doctrine in writing and speech. Amen.

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Day-9: SFS- An Ardent Lover and Promoter of Mother Mary

Word of God: Lk 2: 17-19

When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Reflection:

The Word of God makes known to us the joy expressed by the simple shepherds, who were given the joy and privilege of receiving the good news about Christ and to see the Child Jesus in the manger. The Bible passage also tells us that Mother Mary treasured everything in her heart. We have a mother who can treasure everything for the good of humanity. Indeed, St. Francis treasured Mother Mary in his heart as a gift. As a result we know that he deeply loved and highly honored Mother Mary.

The influence of Mother Mary on St. Francis can be traced in his life events. It is in the Church of Notre Dame de Liesse that Madame de Boisy prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary for a son. The birth of Francis was during the octave of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As an expression of joy St. Francis later shared, “O God, I was born during the octave of this great Assumption.” During his studies in Paris he joined the Confraternity of Our Lady. His love for Mother Mary was strengthened in an important event. At the age of 19, from December 1586 to January 1587, he began to suffer from the temptation to despair which lasted for almost six weeks. After praying to Our Lady and reciting the Memorare in St. Stephen’s Church, he felt relieved of the temptation and obtained peace.

In 1591,during a pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Loretto, St. Francis consecrated himself to the Incarnate Word and to the Blessed Mother. On 8th Dec 1602, the Feast of the Immaculate Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis chose to be consecrated Bishop. As Bishop, he dedicated himself and his Diocese to the loving protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He said, “I received Episcopal consecration on the day of the Conception of the Virgin Mary, our Lady, into whose hands I have left the care of my lot.”

In the Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis gives special significance to Mother Mary saying, “With a special love, give honor, reverence and respect to the holy and glorious Virgin Mary. As the Mother of Jesus, our Brother, she is truly our mother. Let us therefore turn to her for help.. .At every moment, in every circumstance, let us call to this loving mother. Let us ask earnestly for her motherly love. let us strive to imitate her virtues,” (IDL, Part II, Chapter- 16, p. 116). He also encourages us saying, “The Rosary is a very helpful way of praying, provided you understand how to say it properly,” (IDL, Part II, Chapter - 2, p. 87).

Moreover, in the Treatise on the Love of God, St. Francis is in praise of Mother Mary saying, “Only one soul has ever reached the peak of perfection in the love of God, the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady. So unique is she in love beyond compare. She not only loves God more than anything and everything, but it is only God she loves in anything, so that she does not love many things but one only God.”Live Jesus!

Let us introspect in silence:

Do we honor and revere Mother Mary? Do we have sufficient knowledge about Mother Mary to address and answer people who question our love and honor for Mother Mary? Do we daily pray the rosary, a powerful and helpful weapon, as proposed by St. Francis?

Prayer:

O, Gentle St. Francis, as you have said, “There is no one except our Lady, Holy Virgin Mary, who has arrived perfectly to this degree of excellence in the love of her dearly beloved Son,” help us that we also may love and honor Mother Mary and make humble efforts to the degree of excellence in loving Jesus. Amen.

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PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

Dear St. Francis de Sales/ by your life and in your writings/ you teach us to follow Christ/ by loving God, our Father/ and all other persons. / Obtain for us/ the grace to be led by the Holy Spirit/ so that we show our love for God/ by fidelity to prayer/ by diligence in our work/ by our cheerful service of others.

Teach us to be patient and forgiving/ kind and helpful to all./ Help us to face the difficulties/ and sufferings of life/ with hearts full of trust in God/ our ever-loving Father.

Dear St Francis/ while on earth /you were always ready to help/ those in need. / Come to our aid/ and obtain for us from God/ through the intercession of Our Lady/ the special grace /for which we now pray .. .(Pause)

O  gentle St Francis/ bless our homes with your presence. / May our hearts glow with love for God/ and a sincere concern for others/ so that our lives may show in word and deed/ the blessings of your patronage. Amen.

St. Francis de Sales- Pray for us.

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PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

“Lord, I am Yours,

and I must belong to no one but You.

My soul is Yours,

and must live only by You.

My will is Yours,

and must love only for You.

I must love You as my first cause,

since I am from You.

I must love You as my end and rest,

since I am for You.

I must love You more than my own being,

since my being subsists by You.

I must love You more than myself,

since I am all Yours and all in You.

Amen.”

St Francis de Sales- Pray for us.

HYMN TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

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While heaven proclaims O Francis,

Thy glory fair and bright;

Our earthly choirs are chanting,

Thy praise in festive hymns.

Thou glory of the Church,

In the eternal joy,

O listen to our prayers,

That we may follow thee.

In youthful strength and vigour,

Thou spurnest earthly joys;

And rushest holy warrior,

To join the hosts of Christ.

Thy heart is brave and mighty,

In fighting heresies.

And dreaded are thy triumphs,

By mankind’s hellish foes.

Thou bringest back as Bishop,

The sheep that went astray.

Thus of the perfect shepherd,

Thou art the truest type.

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