mcoleman117@hotmail.co.uk RETURN
FRANCIS DE SALES
(Secondary Patron of Society of Mary)
From the introduction to the ‘Devout Life’ by St Francis de Sales.
At the creation God commanded the plants to bear fruit each according to its kind and he likewise commands Christians, the living branches of the vine, to bear fruit by practising devotion according to their state in life.
The practice of devotion must differ from the gentleman and the artisan, the servant and the prince, for widow, young girl or wife. Further, it must be adapted to their particular strength, circumstances and duties.
the poverty of the Capuchin? If workmen spent as much time in church as religious, if religious
were subjected to the same pastoral calls as a bishop, such devotion would be ridiculous and cause
intolerable disorder.
Yet this foolish mistake is often made. True devotion never causes harm, but rather perfects
everything we do; a devotion which conflicts with anyone’s state of life is undoubtedly false.
The bee sucks honey from the flowers without injuring them, leaving them as whole and fresh as when it found them. Devotion goes further, not only is it unharmful to any state of life, it adorns and beautifies it. Precious stones of all kinds when steeped in honey become more brilliant thereby, each one according to its colour, so every one becomes more loveable ad more perfect in his vocation if he combines it with devotion.
It makes the care of family peaceful, the love of husband and wife more sincere, the service of one’s king more faithful, and every task more pleasant and a joy. It is not only erroneous, but a heresy, to hold that life in the army, the workshop, the court, or the home is incompatible with devotion. Purely contemplative, monastic or religious devotion cannot be practised in these callings; yet these are not the only kinds of devotion; there are many others mo
re suitable for those who live in the world and capable of leading them to perfection.
Wherever we find ourselves we may not only may, but should, seek perfection.
Fr Jean-Claude Colin SM "A Founder Speaks"
Doc 35
4. "I should like every Marist to have ‘The Spiritual Director of St Francis de Sales’ in his pocket up to the age of forty five. I want everyone in the Society to be well acquainted with the letters of St Francis de sales. …. You might say that it was this saint who gave a true idea of real piety. Recommend to your penitents St Francis de Sales, his writings… Reading these calms the soul, makes it simple, and in so doing puts one in a position to make far greater progress in virtue". Founders Speaks Doc 35.4.
6. Nevertheless, he said one day that because of the misuse that young people might make of the writings of St Teresa, Saint John of the Cross, Surin, and other similar writings, he intended at one of our retreats to forbid anyone under the age of thirty to read any ascetical work except Saint Francis de Sales. "As for this saint’s writings," he said, "we need fear no illusions nor for Rodriguez and the Spiritual Combat. We should know the Spiritual Combat by heart. But as for the others, very often they are misunderstood and because of them those with little experience entertain false ideas and fall into wrong ways".
Doc 135
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In November 1846, Fr Colin said to us during recreation,’ Messieurs, the piety of the Carthusians and Trappists is one thing, that of the Marist another. The Carthusians and Trappists save souls by prayer. We save them by action joined to prayer. It is the same ting basically, but we follow a different line.’
He used often to recommend St Francis de Sales to us. ‘The piety which this saint inspires’, he said, ‘is not subject to any illusions.’
He once said to us, ‘God raised up St Francis de sales to bring us to the knowledge of true piety, just as he raised up St Alphonsus Ligouri to teach us and promote a proper application of theology. The piety of St Francis de Sales is somewhat relaxed. He was indeed a fine saint.