Our Morning Offering – 24 January – The Memorial of St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church: Doctor caritatis (Doctor of Charity)
Prayer of Dedication to the Lord By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Lord,
I am Yours
and I must belong to no one but You.
My soul is Yours
and I must live only by You.
My will is Yours
and must love only for You.
I must love You as my first cause,
since I am from You.
I must love You as my end and rest,
since I am for You.
I must love You more than my own being,
since my being subsists by You.
I must love You more than myself,
since I am all Yours
and all in You.
Amen.
Saint of the Day – 24 January – St Francis de Sales CO, OM, OFM (Cap) (1567-1622) – Doctor of the Church: Doctor caritatis (Doctor of Charity), Bishop of Geneva, Doctor of Law and Theology, Writer, Theologian, Mystic, Teacher, Preacher, Founder along with St Jane Frances de Chantal, founded the women’s Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitandines). Born 21 August 1567 at Château de Thorens, Savoy (part of modern France) – 28 December 1622 at Lyon, France of natural causes. St Francis is known as: the Gentle Christ of Geneva and the Gentleman Saint. Patronages – against deafness, authors, writers (proclaimed on 26 April 1923 by Pope Pius XI), Catholic press, Confessors, journalists (proclaimed on 26 April 1923 by Pope Pius XI), teachers, Champdepraz, Aosta, Italy, 8 Dioceses. His motto ‘Non-excidet’ – (No failure). St Francis became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God.C
Francis, the eldest of 13 children, was born into a family of nobility in France in 1567. His father sent him to study at the University of Paris. After six years, Francis was intellectually competent in many areas. Francis was also a skilled swordsman who enjoyed fencing, an expert horseman and a superb dancer. Then Francis studied at the University of Padua and received a doctorate in civil and canon law. His father wanted him to marry but Francis desired to be a priest. His father strongly opposed Francis in this and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a centre for the Calvinists. Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success, the majority of the Chablais inhabitants accepted the Catholic faith.
At 35, he became bishop of Geneva. While administering his diocese he continued to preach, hear confessions and catechise the children. His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls . He practised his own axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”
Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote other marvellous spiritual aid as well as many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence . For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world. ”
In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal, in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety, and mutual charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative life.
St Francis is buried at the Basilica of the Visitation, Annecy, France -below. His heart was preserved as a Relic at Lyon but during the French Revolution his heart was was moved to Venice, Italy. The Altar below is the High Altar of St Francis at the Cathedral in St Louis, USA.
Quote/s of the Day – 11 January – Speaking of Worry
“Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”
John 14:1-4
“Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation. Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice. Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.”
St Francis of Assisi (1181/82 – 1226)
“I will not mistrust Him, Meg, although I shall feel myself weakening and on the verge of being overcome with fear. I shall remember how St Peter, at a blast of wind began to sink because of his lack of faith and I shall do as he did: call upon Christ and pray to Him for help. And then, I trust He shall place His holy hand on me and in the stormy seas, hold me up from drowning.”
St Thomas More (1478-1535) (Letter to his daughter, Meg, from his prison cell.)
“It will be quite enough to receive the evils that come upon us from time to time, without anticipating them by the imagination.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
“Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.”
St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
“Lay all your cares about the future trustingly in God’s Hands and let yourself be guided by the Lord just like a little child.”
St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942)
“Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Enough then, of worrying about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Today has troubles enough of its own….Matthew 6:34
REFLECTION – “Let us strive to make the present moment beautiful!”…St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
“Let us especially regret the smallest amount of time that we waste or fail to use in loving God.”..St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church
PRAYER – Lord God, help me to remember that yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow may never come. Let me live in the present and strive to do Your will. Let me abandon myself to Your divine guidance and Your providence in all things. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION TO THE LORD by St Francis de Sales
Lord, I am Yours
and I must belong to
no one but You.
My soul is Yours
and must live only by You.
My will is Yours
and must love only for You.
I must love You
as my first cause,
since I am from You.
I must love You
as my end and rest,
since I am for You.
I must love You more
than my own being,
since my being subsists by You.
I must love You more than myself,
since I am all Yours
and all in You. Amen.
This beautiful prayer from Treatise on the Love of God by St Francis de Sales is a prayer of giving oneself totally to God, of wanting to love Him above all thing and is a very appropriate Daily Prayer to add to your memory.
Our Morning Offering – 5 November – 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time A
YOUR SACRED TABLE A Prayer Before Holy Communion By St Francis de Sales
Divine Saviour,
we come to Your sacred table
to nourish ourselves,
not with bread but with Yourself,
true Bread of eternal life.
Help us daily to make a good
and perfect meal
of this divine food.
Let us be continually refreshed
by the perfume of Your kindness and goodness.
May the Holy Spirit fill us with His Love.
Meanwhile, let us prepare a place
for this holy food by emptying our hearts.
Amen
My God, I give You this day.
I offer You, now,
all the good that I shall do
and I promise to accept
for love of You,
all of the difficulty that I shall meet.
Help me to conduct myself during this day,
in a manner pleasing to You, Amen.
Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
“Everything is a reminder of the Cross. We ourselves are made in the shape of a cross.”
“You must accept your cross. If you bear it courageously, it will carry you to heaven.”
“The sign of the cross is the most terrible weapon against the devil. Thus the Church wishes not only, that we have it continually in front of our minds, to recall to us just what our souls are worth and what they cost Jesus Christ but also that we should make it at every juncture ourselves: when we go to bed, when we awaken during the night, when we get up, when we begin any action, and, above all, when we are tempted.”
St John Vianney
“Oh cherished cross! Through thee my most bitter trials are replete with graces!”
St Paul of the Cross
“In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.”
Fr Thomas à Kempis, The Inner Life
“The everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost heart. The cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it is not one inch too large nor one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God.”
Quote/s of the Day – 16 August – The Memorial of St Stephen of Hungary
“Be HUMBLE in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly MODERATE and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be GENTLE, so that you may never oppose justice. Be HONOURABLE, so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be CHASTE, so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.”
“Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping always in your heart the example of the Lord who said, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.'”
St Stephen of Hungary
“Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father who cares for you today, will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
Saint of the Day – 12 August – St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641) – Mother, Widow, Foundress – born on 28 January 1572 at Dijon, Burgundy, France and died on 13 December 1641 at the Visitationist Convent, Moulins, France of natural causes. Her relic sreside at Annecy, Savoy She was Beatified on 21 November 1751 by Pope Benedict XIV and Canonised on 16 July 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. Patronages – against in-law problems, against the death of parents, forgotten people, parents separated from children, widows.
Jane Frances de Chantal was born in Dijon, France, on 28 January 1572, the daughter of the royalist president of the Parliament of Burgundy. Her mother died when Jane was 18 months old. Her father became the main influence on her education. She developed into a woman of beauty and refinement, lively and cheerful in temperament. She married the Baron de Chantal when she was 21 and then lived in the feudal castle of Bourbilly. Baron de Chantal was accidentally killed by an arquebus while out shooting in 1601. Left a widow at 28, with four children, the broken-hearted baroness took a vow of chastity. Her mother, step mother, sister, first two children and now her husband had died. Chantal gained a reputation as an excellent manager of the estates of her husband, as well as of her difficult father-in-law, while also providing alms and nursing care to needy neighbours.
During Lent in 1604, the pious baroness met Saint Francis de Sales, the bishop of Geneva who was preaching at the Sainte Chapelle in Dijon. They became close friends and de Sales became her spiritual director. She wanted to become a nun but he persuaded her to defer this decision. Later, with his support, and that of her father and brother (the Archbishop of Bourges) and, after providing for her children, Chantal left for Annecy, to start the Congregation of the Visitation. The Congregation of the Visitation was canonically established at Annecy on Trinity Sunday, 6 June 1610. The order accepted women who were rejected by other orders because of poor health or age. During its first eight years, the new order also was unusual in its public outreach, in contrast to most female religious who remained cloistered and adopted strict ascetic practices. The usual opposition to women in active ministry arose and Francis de Sales was obliged to make it a cloistered community following the Rule of St Augustine. When people criticised her for accepting women of poor health and old age, Chantal famously said, “What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself, I’m on their side.”
Her reputation for sanctity and sound management resulted in many visits by (and donations from) aristocratic women. The order had 13 houses by the time de Sales died, and 86 before Chantal herself died at the Visitation Convent in Moulins, aged 69. St. Vincent de Paul served as her spiritual director after de Sales’ death. Her favourite devotions involved the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Heart of Mary. Chantal was buried in the Annecy convent next to de Sales. The order had 164 houses by 1767, when she was canonised. Chantal outlived her son (who died fighting Huguenots and English on the Île de Ré during the century’s religious wars) and two of her three daughters but left extensive correspondence. Her granddaughter also became a famous writer, Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné.
St Francis of Asslsi: that burning Seraph of
love found his delights in repeating the loved Name
of Jesus. St. Bonaventure says that his face lit
up with joy and his voice showed by its tender
accents how much he loved to invoke this all-Holy
Name.
No ‘wonder then that he received on his hands
and feet and side the marks of the Five Wounds
of Our Lord, a reward of his burning love.
St Ignatius of Loyola: was second to none in
his love for the Holy Name. He gave to his great
Order not his own name but called it the Society
of Jesus. This Divine Name has been, as it
were a shield and defence of the · Order against
its enemies and a guarantee of the holiness and
sanctity of its members. Glorious, indeed is the
great Society of Jesus. And now, our present Holy Father , too is a Jesuit.
St Francis de Sales: has no hesitation in saying
that those who have the custom of repeating
the Holy Name frequently may feel certain of
dying a holy and happy death.
And, indeed, there can be no doubt of this
because every time we say Jesus we apply the
saving Blood of Jesus to our Souls, at the same
time we implore God, to do as He has promised,
granting us everything we ask in His Name. All
who desire a holy death can secure it by repeating
the Name of Jesus. Not only will this practice
obtain for us a holy death but it will lessen
notably our time in Purgatory and may very possibly
deliver us altogether from that dreadful fire.
Many saints spent their last days repeating
constantly Jesus, Jesus. ALL the doctors of the Church agree in telling us that the devil reserves his fiercest temptations for our last moments and then he fills the minds of the dying person with doubts, fears and dreadful temptations in the hope of, at last, carrying the unfortunate . soul to Hell. Happy those who in life have made sure of acquiring the habit of calling on the Name of Jesus. Facts like these we have just mentioned are to be found in the 1ives of all the great servants of God who became saints and reached the highest degrees of sanctity by this simple and easy means. St Vincent Ferrer: one of the most famous
preachers that the World has ever seen, converted
the most abandoned criminals and transformed
them into the most fervent Christians. He converted
80000 Jews, and 70000 Moors, a prodigy
we read of in the life of no other saint. He
worked an incredible number of miracles. Three
miracles are demanded by the Church for the
canonisation of the saints, whereas in the bull of
canonisation of St. Vincent 873 are mentioned.
This great saint burned with love for the Name
of Jesus and with this Divine Name worked
extraordinary wonders. .
We, therefore, sinful as we are, can with this
Omnipotent Name obtain every favour and every
grace. The weakest mortals become strong, the
most afflicted find in it consolation and joy.
Who then can be so foolish or negligent as not
to acquire the habit of repeating Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
constantly. It robs us of no time, presents no
difficulty and is an infallible remedy for every evil.
Quote/s of the Day – The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
“How I loved the feasts!…. I especially loved the processions in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. What a joy it was for me to throw flowers beneath the feet of God!… I was never so happy as when I saw my roses touch the sacred Monstrance…” – from St. Therese’s Autobiography Story of A Soul
“It is invaluable to converse with Christ and leaning against Jesus’ breast like His beloved disciple, we can feel the infinite love of his Heart. We learn to know more deeply the One who gave Himself totally, in the different mysteries of His divine and human life, so that we may become disciples and in turn enter into this great act of giving, for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. Through adoration, the Christian mysteriously contributes to the radical transformation of the world and to the sowing of the Gospel. Anyone who prays to the Saviour draws the whole world with him and raises it to God. Those who stand before the Lord are therefore fulfilling an eminent service. They are presenting to Christ all those who do not know Him or are far from Him; they keep watch in His presence on their behalf!”
– from St PopeJohn Paul II’s 1996 letter to the Bishop of Liege, written on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the first celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi
“When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage, speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way, that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.” – St. Francis de Sales
Prayer to the Sacred Heart by Saint Francis De Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charity
May Your heart dwell always in our hearts!
May Your blood ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O sun of our hearts, You give life to all things by the rays of Your goodness!
I will not go, until Your heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus!
May the heart of Jesus be the king of my heart!
Blessed be God. Amen
“You are the glory of Jerusalem!
You are the great pride of Israel!
You are the great boast of our nation!……Judith 15:9
REFLECTION – “Those who want to prevent their heart from being pervaded by the evils of earth, should entrust it to the Blessed Virgin, our Lady and our Mother. They will then regain it in heaven, freed from all evils.”……………St Francis de Sales
PRAYER – Lord Jesus, move me to entrust my heart and my affections to Your Holy Mother. Grant that her prayers may keep me from all evil and firmly attached to You forever. Holy Mary, Holy Mother, pray for us, amen.
MOST HOLY MARY
St FRANCIS DE SALES (1567-1622)
Doctor caritatis (Doctor of Charity)
Most Holy Mary Virgin Mother of God,
I am unworthy to be your servant.
Yet moved by your motherly care for me
and longing to serve you,
I choose you this day to be my Queen,
my Advocate and my Mother.
I firmly resolve ever
to be devoted to you
and to do what I can to encourage others
to be devoted to you.
My loving Mother,
through the Precious Blood of your Son shed for me,
I beg you to receive me
as your servant forever.
Aid me in my actions
and beg for me the grace
never by thought, word, or deed
to be displeasing in your sight
and that of your most holy Son.
Remember me, dearest Mother,
and do not abandon me at the hour of death. Amen
LORD, I AM YOURS
by St Francis de Sales (Doctor of the Church)
Lord, I am Yours,
and I must belong to no one but You.
My soul is Yours,
and must live only by You.
My will is Yours,
and must love only for You.
I must love You as my first cause,
since I am from You.
I must love You as my end and rest,
since I am for You.
I must love You more than my own being,
since my being subsists by You.
I must love You more than myself,
since I am all Yours and all in You.
Amen.
Hail, Sweet Jesus! Prayer to Christ in His Passion and Death By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
Hail, sweet Jesus! Praise, honour and glory be to Thee, O Christ, Who, of Thou own accord, embraced death, and recommending Thyself to Thy heavenly Father, bowing down Thy venerable Head, did yield up Thy Spirit. Truly thus giving up Thy life for Thy sheep, Thou hast shown Thyself, to be the Good Shepherd. Thou died, O Only-begotten Son of God. Thou died, O my beloved Saviour, that I might live forever. O how great hope, how great confidence have I reposed in Thy Death and Thy Blood! I glorify and praise Thy Holy Name, acknowledging my infinite obligations to Thee. O good Jesus, by Thy bitter Death and Passion, give me grace and pardon. Give unto the faithful departed, rest and life everlasting. Amen
Divine Saviour,
we come to Your sacred table
to nourish ourselves,
not with bread but with Yourself,
true Bread of eternal life.
Help us daily to make a good
and perfect meal of this divine food.
Let us be continually refreshed
by the perfume of Your kindness and goodness.
May the Holy Spirit fill us with His Love.
Meanwhile, let us prepare a place
for this holy food by emptying our hearts.
Amen
By patient endurance you will save your lives……Luke 21:19
REFLECTION – “Practice patience toward everyone and especially toward yourself.
Never be disturbed because of your imperfections but always get up bravely after a fall.”………..St Francis de Sales
PRAYER – God of Patience, let me endure my imperfections without rebelling. Help me to be patient with myself as well as with others. St Miguel, from your spiritual father, St Francis de Sales, you learnt the patience and joy of teaching and following the path of love, please pray for us all, amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION TO THE LORD
by St Francis de Sales
Lord, I am Yours
and I must belong to
no one but You.
My soul is Yours
and must live only by You.
My will is Yours
and must love only for You.
I must love You
as my first cause,
since I am from You.
I must love You
as my end and rest,
since I am for You.
I must love You more
than my own being,
since my being subsists by You.
I must love You more than myself,
since I am all Yours
and all in You. Amen.
(This beautiful prayer from Treatise on the Love of God by St. Francis de Sales is a prayer of giving oneself totally to God, of wanting to love Him above all thing and is a very appropriate Daily Prayer but particularly on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)
Holiness, St Francis taught, is for everyone – from housewife to queen, from soldier to pope. He was one of the first to open the gates of methods of holiness to all and sundry. By his time in the history of the world most could read – then as now – there is really no excuse. Much more so in our time – everything to assist on the pathway to holiness is at our fingertips. WE ARE ALL called to be and CAN BE SAINTS!
“Nothing makes us so prosperous in this world as to give alms.”
“Man is the perfection of the Universe. The spirit is the perfection of man. Love is the perfection of the spirit and charity that of love. Therefore, the love of God is the end, the perfection of the Universe.”
“There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of divine love – every man works his oar voluntarily! “
“All the pains in a hundred thousand million Hells suffered with the greatest perfection possible to a human creature would have been nothing compared to the smallest sigh of Our Lord, to the smallest drop of blood that he shed for love of us.”
“Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He is your keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Do you but hold fast to his dear hand and he will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, he will bear you in his arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or he will give you strength to bear it.”
“A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship.”
“Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off. “
Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart……….Mt 11:29-30
REFLECTION – “If there was something better than meekness, God would certainly have told us.
But He exhorts us above all to be meek and humble of heart.”………..St Francis de Sales (Saint of the Day)
PRAYER – Lord Jesus, teach me what true meekness entails. Inspire me to practise it after Your example in all circumstances of my life. St Francis de Sales, you learnt the true meaning of humility and meekness, please pray for us, amen!
to ST FRANCIS de SALES – begins 15 January. St. Francis de Sales is the Patron of Devotion so if there’s a Saint who might know what a Devout Heart is, it’s going to be him. St. Alphonsus Liguori said that the most useful practice of a Novena is to make up our minds at the beginning of the Novena to correct some fault we have been accustomed to commit. Let us ask St. Francis de Sales to stir our hearts toward greater devotion and love for God.
to ST PAUL – begins 16 January – MOST NEGLECTED IN PRAYER by Catholics – come on folks let us pray for zeal, for courage, for perseverence, for strength, for LOVE of God and neighbour, in fact we can pray to ST PAUL FOR ALL our needs!
to ST JOHN BOSCO – begins 22 January. St John Bosco is the Patron of Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, young people, magicians, juvenile delinquents. Choose ALL young people or your own children. Or simply Pray the 9 days for your own growth in faith.
Don’t forget to pray Novenas each day for nine straight days…
)
AnaStpaul 
You must be logged in to post a comment.