Saintly Wisdom from St. Francis de Sales

by Kathryn Marcellino, OCDS

Saint Francis de Sales was a holy Capuchin friar, Bishop of Geneva, and Doctor of the Church who lived in the 16th century. His feast day is celebrated January 24th. He is known for his writings on spiritual direction and formation. His book Introduction to the Devout Life was written specifically for lay people and is considered a spiritual classic. He also wrote Treatise on the Love of God and many letters on spiritual direction.

Below is an example of his writing from the Introduction of the Devout Life from Part II, Chapter 1, on the Necessity of Prayer.

1. PRAYER opens the understanding to the brightness of Divine Light, and the will to the warmth of Heavenly Love—nothing can so effectually purify the mind from its many ignorances, or the will from its perverse affections. It is as a healing water which causes the roots of our good desires to send forth fresh shoots, which washes away the soul’s imperfections, and allays the thirst of passion.

2. But especially I commend earnest mental prayer to you…

3. Give an hour every day to meditation before dinner;—if you can, let it be early in the morning, when your mind will be less cumbered, and fresh after the night’s rest. Do not spend more than an hour thus, unless specially advised to do so by your spiritual father.

5. If you can make your meditation quietly in church, it will be well, and no one, father or mother, husband or wife, can object to an hour spent there, and very probably you could not secure a time so free from interruption at home.
6. Begin all prayer, whether mental or vocal, by an act of the Presence of God. If you observe this rule strictly, you will soon see how useful it is.

The above is an excerpt from Introduction to the Devout Life, which is online as a complimentary ebook at: https://www.catholicspiritualdirection.org/devoutlife.pdf.

Below is some spiritual advice from St. Francis de Sales:

“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me, but in me and I in Him.”

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“Do not think that you will be able to succeed in your affairs by your own efforts, but only by the assistance of God; and on setting out, consign yourself to His care, believing that He will do that which will be best for you.”

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“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.”

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“The measure of love is to love without measure.”

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“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.

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“Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”

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“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”

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“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.”

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“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.”

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“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.

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“During the night we must wait for the light.”

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“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?”

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“Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.”

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“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.”

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“It is wonderful how attractive a gentle, pleasant manner is, and how much it wins hearts.”

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“Humility consists in not esteeming ourselves above other men, and in not seeking to be esteemed above them.”

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“Certainly all virtues are very dear to God, but humility pleases Him above all the others, and it seems that He can refuse it nothing.”

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“Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure for ever there.”

St. Francis de Sales pray for us!