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Dana in TX Forum Newbie
Joined: March 30 2005
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Posted: March 30 2005 at 1:45pm | IP Logged
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I've been getting many promptings to read up on St. Francis de Sales. Could someone please suggest a good available book on him?
Thanks.
Dana in TX
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stefoodie Forum Moderator
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Posted: March 30 2005 at 3:31pm | IP Logged
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how about St. Francis de Sales by Blanche Jennings Thompson? we haven't read it yet but it's on our list of things to order. Also Francis de Sales by Andre Ravier.
__________________ stef
mom to five
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: March 30 2005 at 7:39pm | IP Logged
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Christ is Risen, Alleluia!
He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Are you looking about or by him? He was a prolific writer. His Introduction to the Devout Life is a must read by every Catholic in their spiritual journey. His advice is so applicable even in our 21st century. There is also a book published by Ignatius Press Francis De Sales: Sage and Saint by Andre Ravier, SJ. Description reads Saint Francis de Sales was a saint who clearly had a message for the 20th century and for those trying to live up the challenges of the Second Vatican Council. He saw that the laity especially had a vocation specifically theirs and that the piety of the cloister or the sacristy was an encouragement but not a model for the layman. Every age - but especially our own - should get to know the saintly author of Introduction to the Devout Life and On the Love of God. He has the appeal of his namesake from Assisi but a message which approaches that of the Little Flower's Little Way: something for all of us. On this note, my Ob-Gyn's office has a quote on the bulletin board in the waiting room from St. Francis de Sales that I would love to find the source. It's an admonition to a pregnant woman when he found out she was fasting, thereby denying the growing baby necessary nutrients. He tells her to immediately stop the fasting. Anyone else know where that is from?
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Chari Forum Moderator
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Posted: March 30 2005 at 11:27pm | IP Logged
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yes...it is in...hhmmmmm......now what is the name of that book (I am stuck nursing a little guy at the keyboard)........something about will?
ah...here it is..the unfinished book I started for lenten reading....
Thy Will BE Done: Letters to Persons in the World by Saint F dS
EXCELLENT READ!!
__________________ Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Chari Forum Moderator
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Posted: March 31 2005 at 12:26am | IP Logged
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here, I found this in an old newsletter.......see link by my name.....
Thy Will be Done: Letters to Persons in the World by St. Francis de Sales
"It does not surprise me in the least to learn that you feel somewhat dull-witted and heavy-hearted; after all, you are with child. When your delicate frame is heavy with its burden, weakened by its task, indisposed by all manner of pains, you cannot expect to find your heart as animated, vigorous and ready to act as it used to be, but all that in no way prejudices the activity of the apex of the soul; it remains as pleasing to God as if you were brimming over with all the cheerfulness in the world. In fact, it is far more pleasing because it demands so much more effort and strugggle. However, the doer derives little pleasure from it, because the soul's activity lies beyond the feelings, and so does not afford the same emotional delight.
"Dear child, we must not be hard on ourselves, or exact more than we have to give. When body and strength are impaired, we can only ask the will to make acts of submission and acceptance of the travail, and add holy aspirations uniting our will with God's. These are made in the apex of the soul. As for our outward behaviour, we must plan what we have to do and do it as best we can, and leave it at that, even though we have performed the task grudgingly and with tired and heavy heart. If we are to rise above this depression, dejection and despondency of soul, and turn it to use in God's service, we must face it, accept it, and realize the worth of holy self-abasement. In this way, you will transmute the lead of your heaviness of spirit into gold, a gold purer far than any of your gayest, most
light-hearted sallies.
“Well then, be patient with yourself. See to it that your higher self puts up with your lower. Make a frequent offering of the tiny creature to our Creator's eternal glory, since he has chosen you to cooperate with Him in forming your child. But take the greatest care of your health: don't put yourself out or force yourself to pray at present. You must treat yourself with the utmost gentleness. If it tired you to kneel, sit down; if you can't pray for half an hour, pray for a quarter, or simply half that again.
"Dearest daughter, at Annecy, we possess a Capuchin artist who, as you may imagine, paints pictures solely for God and the adornment of His house. When at work, he has to concentrate so closely that he cannot paint and pray at the same time. This worries and distresses his mind, yet in spite of it, he sets to work with a will for the sake of the honour that it must bring our Lord, and in the hope that his pictures will prompt many worshippers to praise God and bless His goodness.
"Now, dear daughter, the babe being formed in your womb is to be a living representation of the divine Majesty, but as long as your vigour and physical strength are employed on the work, your spirits will inevitably drop and grow weary, and you will be unable to perform your daily duties with your usual zest and cheerfulness. Endure your lassitude and lower spirits lovingly, and think of the honour God is to receive from your finished work, for it is your own reproduction which will find a place in the eternal temple of the heavenly Jerusalem, and will there give everlasting joy to the eyes of God and angels and men. The saints will hymn God's praises for what you have achieved, and you will join your voice to theirs when you behold it. So be patient with the feeling of drowsiness and dullness, and hold fast to Our Lord's holy will, who has thus ordained things in His eternal wisdom."
Excerpt of Thy Will Be Done: Letters to Persons in the World by St. Francis de Sales, sent to me during pregancy difficulties in 2001, by Willa Ryan, who just completed her own difficult pregnancy this year and could use our prayers for her infant and toddler. It is available at http://www.sophiainstitute.com for 14.95.
__________________ Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: March 31 2005 at 7:57am | IP Logged
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Wow, Thanks, Chari for digging this up for me. Even better having the whole quote!
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Chari Forum Moderator
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Posted: March 31 2005 at 3:32pm | IP Logged
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My pleasure....
interesting thought: Go always knew YOU would need this info.....so, He had Willa send it to me years ago.....and then I published it........and then Elizabeth and Michele started CCM......and then there were the FIAR boards......so that Elizabeth would want a board just like theirs.......and then Tim and Janette step up to create this board........and then Dana is "prompted" to ask at this board, about Saint Francis de Sales.........and then you mention your need for the quote.....and ta da!! here it is!
of course..........prior to all of this.......He needed to bring Willa and I into the church.........and I could go on and on........lol
but, it was all set up, see?
having a spring day,(but only for a day.......winter returns tomorrow!),
__________________ Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: March 31 2005 at 3:35pm | IP Logged
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Chari wrote:
but, it was all set up, see? |
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Amen! Nothing is a coincidence! Someone famous said that, right?
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Dana in TX Forum Newbie
Joined: March 30 2005
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Posted: March 31 2005 at 8:23pm | IP Logged
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Chari, Stef, and Jenn,
Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll start with "Intro to the Devout Life". The quotes of FdS I have seen here and there have always struck a chord in my mind and heart with their beautiful, frank practicality.
Chari, your thoughts on God's wonderful 'dominoe effect' brought a smile!
You guys are great!
Peace.
Dana in TX
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