Difficult fo those with heavy schedule

Introduction to the Devout Life
Part II Chapters 10 – 21
English-speaking Group: Joseph, Caesar, John

Our group discussion developed as follows:

• St. Francis De sales make impression on personal life through his writings. In daily life we may take life for granted but what we need is entering into the life of prayer, being in Union with God and feeling the necessity of prayer in our life.

• His practical Examples for daily life on One hour Mediation and prayer sounds well but we see that it very difficult to be practiced by the lay people because of the daily heavy schedule. The house wives might practice them better.

• Importance that should be given to frequenting Confession and Eucharist are more necessary for spiritual growth and to live a life of holiness and perfect oneself. On this topic we were reminded of Don Bosco speaking to St. Dominic Savio on importance of confession and communion and frequenting always a fixed confessor for the sacrament of confession. We shared also the Dream that Don Bosco had on 3 ropes. In the dream the Devil says that it: it prevents the boys from making a good confession. First rope signifies 1. I tempt the boys to hide the sins. 2. No true sorrow and contrition for the sins 3. I won’t allow them to make resolutions for life. St. Francis insists on Change of life.

• Don Bosco prepared his boys especially St. Dominic Savio, for receiving communion previous night itself.

• St. Francis also gives importance of the word of God, reading spiritual books, making retreats, reading life of saints to keep one away from distractions. The above practice is necessary for us Christians. Nowadays the Church insists on Lectio Divina. Don Bosco too speaks on WORD OF GOD though in a broader sense. Priests should prepare themselves for sermons and deliver them with faith and devotion.

• Our group members express that they prefer guided (directed) retreats than simply preaching and listening the way St. Francis speaks.

In Summary.

1. All must feel the necessity of prayer life and union with God
2. Life of Holiness
3. Frequenting Sacraments
4. Transformation of life.
5. Proper disposition to receive sacrament of Eucharist
6. Daily Reading and following the word of God in life
7. Guided retreats for happy living.

(Joseph)