Final Evaulation: Content and Process

∞

Spirituality of St Francis de Sales
SP2505 ∞ Final Session
5 December 2008

Nature of the Comments from the Group

The comments flowed naturally and easily from a wide representation of the group. They were initiated by single persons and appear here as they arose randomly, but they are given almost in exact order. Contributions of others made in open discussion of the base thoughts have simply been worked into each of the sections below.

Part 1: Reflections on the Content and the Message of the Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales

The Content of the Introduction to the Devout Life moved in natural, rich, and challenging development and was found to be applicable to life today. One may have been in contact with the Devout Life earlier on, but coming back to it revealed how closely it touches real life. Francis De Sales knew human nature. The book had impact. It helped to understand and organize things that had already happened in one's life.

Practical Spirituality permeates the book. Its practical nature was remarked upon time after time all during the discussion. It is a 'spiritual director' who is writing, one who has a deep personal grasp of the spiritual life -- the 'devout life,' way of holiness leading to union with God -- and that life is open to all. But at the same time its principles are to be applied with wise and proper recognition of various states of life. De Sales has a remarkable grasp of the realities of the states of life, especially marriage and widowhood. He applies the principles of the 'devout life' with remarkable balance and flexibility, with true gentlemanly awareness not only of the divine, but also of the human.

A true model for spiritual accompaniment is offered by the book. It presents not theory but life, and a strong relational involvement with 'Philothea.' What is presented is personal, friend to friend. The whole style is relational: how to accompany real people on their actual spiritual journey with simplicity, humility and charity; at the same time to offer a real challenge in practical terms. The book is a kind of catechism on how to live the spiritual life. Frequent allowance is made for Philothea to weigh this spiritual director's advice (the author's) with an in-person spiritual director. The spiritual journey is always to be shared with another.

Simplicity of language and image tends to stir confidence and provide encouragement to the directed 'soul,' yet leads to great heights, almost without one realizing it. The book forestalls in a gentle way fears that Philothea herself might have in entering upon the devout life and politely dismisses objections that other people might lodge against embracing this way of life.

Yes, Francis has not only a deep knowledge of human nature, but also an understanding of its frailty. He perceives the hidden yearning in people to lead this 'good life' and holds out a confident spirit. There is no need to be anxious: approach the spiritual life with confidence and enter in! For Francis the heart is at the center of all things: convert the heart, and from the interior the exterior will flow.

Francis was aware not only of the human person, but of the human person within society at large. He recognized that the person lives as an individual within society. He knew the reality of world as well as spirit.

In Francis de Sales we find an exemplar. His writing is simple but meaningful and understandable. The exposition of the spiritual life comes from his own heart and the practice of his own life. Part of the simplicity arises from his keen awareness of nature and ordinary life, and these flow into his language.

The book itself is a kind of spiritual director. It can be uplifting within the context of any Christian community. Spirituality comes through as a kind of discipleship. Any pastor, one can observe, has to LIVE the devout life, not merely pray, in order to lead his community. In addition the devout life is accessible: these are fundamentals of holiness every person, no matter the tradition from which one derives. Francis' approach is positive, eliminating an overemphasis on sin. At the same time his spirituality is also preventative: do this and live; find joy, not fear, but love. It can touch people of any state of life and any religious background.

Francis' urgent message to persevere must not be missed. "Do this and do it daily," he seems to insist. Make resolutions. Live them. The end of the book makes high demands 'by all things holy.' And the plea to live the devout life bursts into the exclamation, "LIVE JESUS!"

In my culture we are taught the need to be 'possessed' by some power, and that can be transferred in Christian terms into being possessed by the Holy Spirit or by Jesus. But this troubled me: if I am possessed by Jesus, what becomes of me and who I am? Francis de Sales shows that Jesus lives in me by my living my authentic self. The part of goodness in each of us belongs to Jesus, and my effort is to develop that goodness. By encouraging what is good in me, I become true to myself and at the same time can genuinely say, "LIVE JESUS!" Francis de Sales invites a person to focus on his/her self. For the Christian it is in such a way as to exclaim, "LIVE JESUS," but in general even someone outside the Christian culture can be approached with many of the principles of the devout life starting from: "Be your best self."

__________

Part 2: The Process and the Influences Felt through Participation in the Groups

A 'Life-Sharing' Group: The experience was enriching. Taking the book section by section helped us to focus in order to share. In the sessions we listened as well as shared, often in depth.

Mutual Understanding: We were helped to understand one another better in our cultural differences and also in differences arising from various Christian traditions. We were able to see how the principles taught by the Introduction to a Devout Life touched upon and entered into different thought settings and patterns.

Interaction: We were helped to interact. Our group method called for dividing the sections for individual study and presentation. Thus we had to absorb and share. We were forced into a beneficial necessity both to reflect more deeply and then to share. The result was shared personal enrichment.

Moral Force: The example of others asserted a moral force on each to be drawn into the reflection and commentary. Though that force did exist, nevertheless, when we met, there occurred easy and cordial rather than enforced sharing.

And finally: None of our groups had to approach the Introduction to a Devout Life from a vacuum. The earlier class presentations by the teacher gave sense and background to our study. We wish to extend our appreciation.

Test by Fr Edward Liptak; Photos by Bro Suwan Jutasompakorn

SP2505 Participants 2008. Back row: Thomas Kayyalackel (India), Melanio Puzon (USA), Bancha Kitprasert (Thailand), Matthew Hendzel (Canada). Middle: Suwan Jutasompakorn (Thailand), Sinhyang Park (S. Korea), Linda Cameron (Scotland), Edward Liptak (Tanzania). Front row: Anthony Valluran (India), Tresphord Chisanga (Zambia), Fernando Domenech (Spain), Woo-Jung Koh (S. Korea).