Saint at baptism to train you in virtue

Introduction to the Devout Life

Part Second, Chap. 12 - 21

English-speaking Group: 

Sanjone Amaladoss, John Baptist Barnabas, Lijo Vadakkan

In the 12th Chapter the saint speaks about the importance of retiring to the solitude of one’s heart even in the busy schedule of the day. One needs to put himself in the presence of God as often as possible through any method that one is comfortable with. When one is in that spiritual solitude with God, there may be people around him but they will only be surrounding his physical body and not his soul. The perfect example is that of St. Catherine of Siena, who had made an interior oratory in her own mind when she couldn’t go any more to the church.

The 13th chapter begins with a beautiful sentence which summarizes the whole theme of the chapter. He says: “we retire to God because we aspire and we aspire in order to retire with him”. He speaks about the need to kindle by every possible act one’s love for God. These occasional raising of mind he says is never a distraction. But is like the pilgrim who has a stopover for a cup of drink which refreshes him and gives him further strength to continue his journey.

In the 14th chapter speaking about the Eucharist he explains what happens during a Eucharist celebration. He says that during the mass the Triumphant Church and the Militant Church unite themselves with the Son of God in interceding with the Father for His infinite mercy. Therefore Mass is a great moment which merits lot of preparation and the saint offers some practical measures to live the Mass at every moment.

In the 16th chapter he speaks about the importance of being in communion with the saints. Just as the small nightingale learns to sing from her elder ones, so too we learn to pray from the saints, our elder brothers. It is important to choose a particular saint to learn and to imitate. In praying holy souls are united to us. A saint is assigned to each one at his baptism to practice his virtues.

Font where Francis de Sales was baptized

In the 17th chapter he speaks about creating and cultivating a special devotion to the word of God and at the same time the need for one to read also the lives of saints which in his opinion are the letters written by the saints from heaven.

In the 19th chapter he speaks about holy confessions. The need to make them well, the need to have deep sorrow for one’s sins. Humbleness to accept that one is a sinner. In examining the conscience one must not only examine the sins committed but also the motivations that led him to commit that particular sin. He also says that one should not be satisfied just by saying come generic statements. One has to be precise in accusing oneself of sins, even venial sins those who aspire towards perfection.

In the 20th, 21st chapters he speaks about the need to participate in the Eucharist and the practice of daily communion, at least on every Sunday. Just as some fruits are preserved for long in wine and honey so too our rotten bodies can be preserved for eternal life in the precious body and blood of Christ. He says that the preparation for the mass begins already the previous day. In speaking about daily communion he says that if it is not possible to have daily communion at least have a spiritual communion.

Report by Lijo Vadakkan
Photos by Joe Boenzi: Group discussions 14 November 2011, Baptismal font in parish church, Thonon (2006)