Surprisingly harsh language

Introduction to the Devout Lfe
Part 1, chapters 9ff

Third Group: Thomas, Tres, Fernando, Ed

Thinking through the Devout Life meditations, these were our chief thoughts:

It seems to us that the meditations function as a practical 'first approach' to the Devout Life, very much in the style of the ancient 'Purgative Way'. The meditations go from the traditional 'last things' to the closely connected chapter on making a general confession.

Some of the language of Francis de Sales seems uncharacteristic of him: a presumption of guilt and sinfulness; very harsh language describing the person such as in the fourth meditation, 'My Sins': “Alas, I am only the filth of the world and a sewer of ingratitude and wrongdoing.” In class discussion we acknowledged that this may have been part of a typically accepted method for shock value, also in the ancient tradition of meditations on the last things.

There is surely something of the Ignatian tradition regarding the 'composition of place' in preparation stages of several of the meditations. A good example is, “Imagine yourself to be seriously ill, lying on your deathbed, with no hope of recovery,” in Meditation 5, 'My Death.' In general the format of each meditation is almost identical and also very simple: renewing the presence of God, seeking God's help, imagining certain scenes as introduction; then reflections on the subject, immediately followed by the stirring of useful affections (movements of the will); finally, deliberate decisions or resolutions.

These stages are taken up more theoretically in following chapters. Most often he recommends some additional short prayer or acts of personal thanksgiving once the meditations are concluded.

Ed