Background
The oldest of 13 children, Francis Boisy was born on August 21, 1567, in the Sales castle in Thorens, Savoy, in eastern France.
( Three centuries ago, people flocked to St. Francis de S...)
Three centuries ago, people flocked to St. Francis de Sales, seeking his help for their problems. St. Francis spent hours ministering to them face-to-face and wrote over 20,000 letters. From these letters to persons in all walks of life, we've selected the ones that will be most helpful to you today. Each hand-written response to someone like you seeking help for an actual problem. You'll be consoled by warmth, the wisdom, and the holy sympathy you'll find in these pages, as the love of this great saint reaches out to us across the centuries. Whatever you circumstances may be, there's wisdom here to make your life holier... and happier.
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( In Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life St....)
In Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life St. Francis de Sales, beloved Doctor of the Church, gives us treasured insight from the master of spiritual direction. How can the soul persevere in piety in the midst of affliction? How should we conduct ourselves when suffering interior trials? How can we profit from our own faults? St. Francis de Sales explains all this and more. In this masterful collection, St. Francis speaks to every soul on the riches to be gained from suffering trials and temptations, the advantages we can draw from our own defects, and how to choose and carry the best crosses. Also included are uplifting passages on suffering sadness, or what we would now call depression. Readers of Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life will experience firsthand why St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is known to history as the Gentle Saint. St. Francis was Bishop of Geneva and a tireless preacher, who yet made time to correspond with numerous souls who wrote him for his insight and guidance. His Consoling Thoughts are compiled from these letters as well as from his other spiritual works.
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( There are as many paths to holiness as there are saints...)
There are as many paths to holiness as there are saints in Heaven . . . but you cant follow them all. Yet there's one thing every saint practices that you can imitate: the simple art of loving God, which the beloved St. Francis de Sales explains for you here. Under his wise and gentle guidance, you'll discover the secrets to growing holier through the simple things in life work, play, and rest. You'll learn to avoid the distractions (even religious distractions) that trouble and weary your soul . . . and you'll soon be able to focus your energy simply on loving God. Listen to the holy words of this saint; take them to heart; make them a part of your life. Soon you'll be well on your way, following that path to Heaven that God, from all eternity, has given you as your very own. St. Francis de Sales himself will teach you the secrets of developing: • Patience • Trust • Modesty • Courage • Simplicity • Humility • Obedience • Generosity • Perseverance • Selflessness • Gentleness • Love of God and other key virtues A note for the skeptical and discouraged: Have you tried to grow closer to God using one technique after another, yet still find you haven't made much progress? That's a common problem in today's world, where devotion has become so complicated that the simple art of loving God has been lost. Don't despair. Generations of Christians have made finding God harder than it need be, which is why, every few hundred years, God sends us a saint like St. Francis de Sales to remind us that anyone can love God and that it's not really so hard to do. Listen to St. Francis, and, no matter how many times you've failed in the past, you'll soon be a master of the art of loving God.
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( If your life seems to make no sense, or if you don't kn...)
If your life seems to make no sense, or if you don't know which path to take, St. Francis de Sales will console and inform you. In this warm little book, he explains to you what God's will is and how He reveals it yes, even to you, and even in the seemingly random events of your life. No matter what you're going through now (or may have gone through), you'll see why you should love and trust in God's will and long for its fulfillment. Best of all, you'll learn a sure method for discovering God's will in any situation today! As you begin to discern God's loving hand even in seemingly chaotic events, St. Francis de Sales will lead your mind and your heart to the still waters of God's gentle consolation. From St. Francis de Sales you'll learn: • Four signs that your heart conforms to God's will does yours • How to accept God's will even when it seems terrifying and painful • Sacred inspirations: not just for the prophets. The many ways God may be knocking on your door -- now! • Changing your life's direction: how to spot and avoid all-too-common dangers • The simple rule of charity: how it can help you make vital decisions • Are you as mature in the virtues as God wills you to be? • How to distinguish zeal for God's will from selfish arrogance • Three ways you can recognize a thought or sentiment that comes from God • The key ingredient that makes all your actions pleasing to God: can you name it? • Making decisions: practical advice to help you distinguish between times when you should move slowly and carefully, and when you should act quickly, without undue time for deliberation
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( Thirteen beautiful sermons about Our Blessed Mother by ...)
Thirteen beautiful sermons about Our Blessed Mother by this master of mystical theology and Doctor of the Church, published in English for the first time. Shows how Our Lady\'s life was rich in virtue especially humility, obedience and charity. St. Frances de Sales gives one beautiful insight after another. Impr. 219 pgs, PB
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(From the thousands of personal letters by St. Francis de ...)
From the thousands of personal letters by St. Francis de Sales comes this short, practical guide that will develop in you the soul-nourishing habits that lead to sanctity. St. Francis de Sales is widely regarded as one of the greatest spiritual advisers in the history of the Church, and we have drawn from his letters the wisest advice for those prepared to take the next step on their spiritual journey. As he did for saints and sinners in his own time, St. Francis de Sales will stiffen your resolve, help you gain small victories over unruly passions, and restore in you a trusting confidence in Jesus Christ. Soon you'll find yourself delivered from the chains of self-love as your soul opens to divine goodness and your heart is shaped into a fitting place for Christ to dwell and reign eternally. If you find it difficult to live amid the clamor of the world with your eyes fixed on Christ alone, let St. Francis de Sales teach you how to live as a true rose among thorns as you learn... What to do when you stop finding consolation during prayer How to place yourself in the presence of God How busy people should pray Do you fear vice more than you love virtue? A guide to discernment How to be patient with your family The dangers of too many devotions How to know when your feelings are from God or the devil What to do about repeated spiritual dryness The three things you must do to be at peace How to avoid thoughts that give us anxious and restless minds Absorb the wisdom in these holy pages, and you ll soon make true progress on your spiritual journey and navigate with confidence the treacherous waters of our secular world.
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The oldest of 13 children, Francis Boisy was born on August 21, 1567, in the Sales castle in Thorens, Savoy, in eastern France.
His wealthy father sent him to the best schools and prepared him for the life of a leisured gentleman. But when Francis was 11, he secretly decided to become a priest. At the Jesuit college of Clermont in Paris, he learned the Renaissance appreciation of art and literature, and at the University of Padua in Italy he studied law. In 1593, 2 years after he received his doctorate degree, he was ordained a priest. The Roman Catholic Counter Reformation was vigorously under way at the time.
Francis volunteered to travel with several other priests through the villages of Savoy to counteract Calvinism and win the people back to allegiance to Rome. For 4 years Francis used all his skills as a speaker and a writer in this cause. In 1602 Pope Clement VIII consecrated the 35-year-old Francis bishop of Geneva, a city which until recently had been part of Savoy but which was now strongly Calvinist and developing ties with the Swiss Confederation.
The young bishop worked energetically to organize and educate the relatively few Roman Catholics left in the city. He made sure his priests received a sound training, and he established an organization to teach Catholic doctrine in the parishes of his diocese. Francis himself traveled to all of the churches, met with as many people as he could, and inspired them with his own energy and competence.
He died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage at Lyons on December 28, 1622. His writings-spiritual treatises, letters, tracts against the Calvinists-were collected after his death and published in 26 volumes.
St. Francis of Sales is known for his taught that spiritual perfection is possible for those leading a secular life.
His short book Introduction to the Devout Life gained widespread and lasting popularity, and his longer work, Treatise on the Love of God, is still considered a masterpiece of mystical theology. In collaboration with a close friend, Jeanne Françoise de Chantal, he founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady (1610) for women. Francis preached more than 200 sermons a year for 20 years. He was named the patron saint of writers.
( Thirteen beautiful sermons about Our Blessed Mother by ...)
( If your life seems to make no sense, or if you don't kn...)
( There are as many paths to holiness as there are saints...)
( In Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life St....)
(From the thousands of personal letters by St. Francis de ...)
( Three centuries ago, people flocked to St. Francis de S...)
Francis' constant concern with a sound spirituality based on prayer led him to teach that union with God was not only possible but desirable for people living a life of business and family.
Quotations:
“The measure of love is to love without measure. ”
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew. ”
“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly. ”
“If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show. ”
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.
Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. ”
“Be who you are and be that well. ”
“The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day.
Either he will shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings. ”
“The truly patient man neither complains of his hard lot nor desires to be pitied by others. He speaks of his sufferings in a natural, true, and sincere way, without murmuring, complaining, or exaggerating them. ”
“Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. .. do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage. ”
“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves. ”
“It is a fact that people are always well aware of what is due them.
Unfortunately, they remain oblivious of what they owe to others. ”
“God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps; and like a good father who holds his child by the hand, He will accommodate His steps to yours and will be content to go no faster than you. Why do you worry?”
“Never be hurried in anything. Do all things calmly and in a spirit of repose. Do not lose your inward peace even if everything seems to be going wrong. What is anything in life compared to peace of soul?”
“The many troubles in your household will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience, and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God's loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations, watching whether you take them as He would desire. Offer up all such occasions to Him, and if sometimes you are put out, and give way to impatience, do not be discouraged, but make haste to regain your lost composure. ”
“Fits of anger, vexation, and bitterness against ourselves tend to pride and they spring from no other source than self-love, which is disturbed and upset at seeing that it is imperfect. ”
“Do not become upset when difficulty comes your way. Laugh in its face and know that you are in the hands of God. ”
“Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs. ”
Francis was intelligent, personable, and sincere person. The people with whom he came in contact were impressed by his deep spirituality, and gradually a large number of them accepted the Roman Catholic faith he preached.
His father chose him a wealthy noble heiress as his bride. But Francis refused to marry, preferring to stay focused on his chosen path.
