Francis de Sales’ use of imagery is an acknowledgment that reason alone is insufficient to plumb the mysteries of God’s love and certainly, unable to stimulate us to respond to the passionate love of God.
Michele Rua – “Udienza del Santo Padre Pio X. Capitolo generale X” in “Lettere circolari di Don Michele Rua ai salesiani”
A Novembre 1903 il Rettor Maggiore fu a Roma dove ebbe la grande fortuna di poter avvicinare il Santo Padre Pio X. Egli lo accolse con la più squisita bontà, ed avendolo ricevuto nelle ore antimeridiane con vari altri Direttori, non potendosi allora comodamente trattare di affari particolari, ebbe l’insigne degnazione d’invitarlo a tornare nuovamente in Vaticano nel pomeriggio, ed in questa seconda udienza lo trattenne da solo per circa tre quarti d’ora, dimostrandosi confidente: volle essere informato delle opere salesiane, e concesse quanto si domandò. Continue reading “Michele Rua – “Udienza del Santo Padre Pio X. Capitolo generale X” in “Lettere circolari di Don Michele Rua ai salesiani””
Michele Rua – “Norme per ben regolare le relazioni con l’Istituto delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice” in “Lettere circolari di Don Michele Rua ai salesiani”
Da varie case salesiane giunsero domande per il Rettor Maggiore riguardo alle relazioni che vi possono essere fra la Pia Società di S. Francesco di Sales e l’istituto delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice, entrambi fondati dal venerato Padre D. Bosco.
Michele Rua – “Rendiconto. Obbedienza. Avvisi vari” in “Lettere circolari di Don Michele Rua ai salesiani”
Il Rettor Maggiore, circondato da vàri fra i più anziani membri della nostra famiglia, nel vedere insieme radunati quei confratelli che in modo speciale godono della fiducia del Capitolo Superiore, nel poter rivolgere la parola a coloro che hanno tanta parte nella direzione ed amministrazione dei nostri istituti, si séntii inondare il cuore di santa gioia, ed avrebbe voluto farla gustare a tutti gli Ispettori e Direttori. Egli si è egualmente industriato di dare ogni sera, dopo le orazioni, alcuni avvisi di grande importanza, ed avrebbe voluto che quegli avvisi ed esortazioni giungessero all’orecchio di tutti gl’ispettori e Direttori della Pia Società. Ma poiché non era possibile che tutti fossero presenti, ha creduto opportuno farne una circolare esclusivamente indirizzata agli Ispettori e Direttori. Continue reading “Michele Rua – “Rendiconto. Obbedienza. Avvisi vari” in “Lettere circolari di Don Michele Rua ai salesiani””
Joseph Boenzi – “St. Francis de Sales, bibliography of publications in English” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
Over the last number of years “Salesian Spirituality,” first articulated by Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal, has attracted renewed interest in English-speaking countries. Theirs has been called a “spirituality of the heart,” and their prayer style has been dubbed intuitive, simple, spacious but unified and holistic.
Juan Edmundo Vecchi – “«When you pray say; Our Father….» (Mt 6,9). The Salesian a man and teacher of prayer for the young” in “Acts of the General Council of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco”
The article discusses the changing landscape of prayer in contemporary society, with a focus on the disorientation among Christians and the rise of individualized forms of religious expression. It highlights the challenges faced by young Christians in navigating this environment and their curiosity about the Salesians’ approach to prayer. Continue reading “Juan Edmundo Vecchi – “«When you pray say; Our Father….» (Mt 6,9). The Salesian a man and teacher of prayer for the young” in “Acts of the General Council of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco””
Mary Greenan – “Salesian mysticism: towards the ectasy of action” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
Reflecting on Salesian spirituality brings us to the writings of St. Francis de Sales along with modern spiritual concepts. Sr. Mary Greenan explores the “ecstasies” of St. Francis de Sales calling us to be “contemplatives in action.”
Joseph Boenzi – “What is salesian in Don Bosco?” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
Joseph Boenzi writes of the many times that the figure of St. Francis de Sales enters into the life and ministry of Don Bosco. The final word may never be written on why Don Bosco chose Francis de Sales as the patron of his Congregation but What is Salesian in Don Bosco? throws light on the subject.
Continue reading “Joseph Boenzi – “What is salesian in Don Bosco?” in “Journal of Salesian studies””
Catherine Fino – “San Francesco di Sales maestro di accompagnamento” in “Accompagnare alla sorgente in un tempo di sfide educative”
L’articolo fa parte di un volume che offre al lettore la possibilità di accostare alla realtà dell’accompagnamento da diversi punti di vista e da differenti approcci disciplinari.
Questo articolo presenta la figura di San Francesco di Sales come maestro di accompagnamento. Dagli scritti del“santo della dolcezza si possono attingere interessanti strategie per accompagnare l’iniziazione alla vita cristiana dei giovani e delle giovani di oggi; trarre ispirazione per aiutare le persone ad incontrarsi con la propria realtà profonda e a discernere l’origine e la finalità di affetti, pensieri, decisioni; infine elaborare itinerari di accompagnamento per progredire nella vita cristiana e nell’accoglienza reciproca in dialogo con la propria cultura.
Nancy J. Bowden – “Unwrapping the gifts: Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal and the salesian vision of women” in “Journal of Salesian studies”
This article furthers the theme of collaboration between women and men, showing this as central to Salesian history and spirit. Dr. Nancy J. Bowden brings us back to Francis de Sales and Jane-Frances de Chantal in the founding of the Visitation-the first Salesian community.
Jack Ayers – “The «Salesianity» that wins all hearts” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
The reader may be surprised to learn that at the first canonical assembly of Salesians, Don Bosco was equating fidelity to our Society with the broad road of “Salesianity” mapped out in such a human and holy way by Saint Francis of Sales himself.
Francis Desramaut – “Contemporary spirituality of the salesian family” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
A noted Salesian scholar and author, Fr. Desramaut has recently undertaken a work of major proportions, a dictionary of Salesian spirituality. The title of the work is: Les cent mots-clefs de la spiritualite salesienne (One Hundred Keywords in Salesian Spirituality). It is being published in installments in Cahiers Salesiens, the journal of the Center of Salesian Studies in Lyons (France), over which Fr. Desramaut presides. The first installment of the work (containing entries from A to C) is prefaced by an introductory essay on Salesian spirituality. This is the essay which is given here in English as meticulously translated by Fr. Arthur J. Lenti.
Eunan McDonnell – “Holy indifference. Freeing the heart for pure love” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
The theme of Pure Love is essential to understanding a Salesian spirituality as lived within the Visitandine tradition. This article explores pure love through the lens of holy indifference which is essential for true spiritual freedom. It concludes with an examination of holy indifference as lived by Mary the paradigm of pure love.
Rik Biesmans – “Don Bosco & Saint Francis De Sales (1842-1880). Concerning the question whether Don Bosco was influenced by Francis de Sales in both his personal faith and his pastoral-pedagogical practice” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
While preparing pilgrimages and spiritual exercises in Annecy and the neighborhood, I discovered reliable sources among the German and Dutch Oblates of St Francis de Sales. As a consequence of keeping contact with various participants, they invited the undersigned to take part in the annual meetings of their Arbeitsgemeinschaft (“study group”) in Eichstätt, Germany.
Suzanne C. Toczyski – “‘Because she has shown great love’. Female figures of the Gospels in St. Francis de Sales’ Traité de l’amour de Dieu” in “Journal of Salesian Studies”
In a very unique way, the women of the Gospels whose stories Francis cites are noteworthy in that they, to varying extents, enjoyed a personal relationship with Jesus himself, and thus with God. Their understanding of sacred love is therefore particularly profound.