Feast of St. Francis de Sales 2018
EAO, 24 January 2018 -- We are Salesians! Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the Saint Patron of our Society: 'Inspired by the goodness and zeal of St Francis de Sales, Don Bosco called us Salesians and gave us a program of life in the motto "Da mihi animas, cetera tolle" (SDB Constitutions, art. 4). It's a good chance to be attracted again by his way of following Jesus with simplicity and passion.
Indeed in some of the EAO provinces we are move known as "Salesio" or "Sarasit" than Don Bosco, thanks to the first missionaries who reached Japan, Korean or Thailand. However there is also a general feeling, that our Saint Patron, 'the zealous pastor and doctor of charity' (SDB Constitutions, art. 9) is not very much known by the younger generations of the Salesians.
Few years ago the CIN provincial brought attention to the 400 anniversary of the 'Teotimus' (Treatise on the Love of God' (1616-2016) and during the annual meeting of the EAO provincial we discussed about how to bring more attention to our Saint in the whole Congregation, in view of the coming 400th Anniversary of his death (1622-2022). And last but not the least, one the SDB scholars on St. Francis de Sales, Fr. Eunan McDonald became recently the provincial of Ireland - Malta.
Today we give thanks for the Man of God, who was a great model of Don Bosco, who 'inspired by the optimistic humanism of St. Francis de Sales, believes in man's natural and supernatural resources without loosing sight of his weakness." (SDB Constitutions, art 17). Today we celebrate the Saint Bishop of Geneve (Annecy) and congratulate to all Salesians involved in the Social Communication working under the protection of this Saint.
However, probably the best way how to celebrate and follow St. Francis de Sales today, is to bring back the simple and heart-warming 'PHILOTHEA' (An Introduction to the Devout Life). Yes, in not so remote past, this booklet was in the hands of all our Aspirants. Now we find in few EAO provinces growing generation without this precious treasure.
The five parts of the 'Philotea' are indeed a basic food for an inner life of each Catholic believer: (I) Path to the Devout Life (Discipleship of Jesus with 10 Meditations), (II) Advice about Prayer and Sacraments, (III) Practice of Virtue (humility, patience, kidness...), (IV) Facing ordinary temptations, (V) Advice about regular spiritual renewal. We hope this booklet will be again in the hands of our candidates to the Salesian vocation - both lay and religious!
Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us!
Related articles:
Resources for download:
- Saint Francis de Sales: Filotea - Introduction to the Devout Life
- Saint Francis de Sales: Teotimus - Treatise about the Love of God
4621_Echo from Valdocco
4620(I)_Get know Don Bosco
