INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE
BY ST FRANCIS OF SALES
Part V – All Chapters 1-18
Notes from the sharing in the Polish group on 9.01.2012
The whole of Part V contains counsels and practices for renewing and confirming the soul in devotion. In the first chapter there is an explanation of how important the yearly retreat is to renew Good Resolutions, to have time to reflect, to pray and make a more detailed examination of conscience concerning one’s personal relationship with God, with others and with self. Christian life however is just that: a life. Good and pious people need spiritual exercises to correct what is not good and what separates them from a full relationship with God.
To assist the devout in better understanding spiritual life, St. Francis uses the story about clock. “There is no clock, however good,” he writes “but must be continually wound up; and moreover, during the course of each year it will need taking to pieces, to cleanse away the rust which clogs it, to straighten bent works and renew the parts that are worn out” (Part V, 1st Chapter).
The same is true with the Christian life, which also needs regular exercises, meditations, as the saint explains in the 2nd chapter, and an examination of the Soul in different aspect as progress in the devout life, where he is teaching in chapters 3rd, 4th, 5th. 6th, 7th and 8th. In the personal growth in faith to God is very important to consider what kind relation I have with God, my neighbour and myself. Continuing his teaching he is presenting various saint as the best sample how important is to participate in the spiritual exercises. “Consider the example of the Saints on all sides, what have they not done in order to love God and lead a devout life”. (Part V, 12th Chapter)
In the spiritual exercises the most important point to remember is what God has done and how you are relating with Him, loving, expressing gratitude and searching for Him. God has to be the first aim in the spiritual growth.
Synthesis by Jan Marciniak
BY ST FRANCIS OF SALES
Part V – All Chapters 1-18
Notes from the sharing in the Polish group on 9.01.2012
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| Present today: Tomek Hawrylewik, Jan Marciniak |
The whole of Part V contains counsels and practices for renewing and confirming the soul in devotion. In the first chapter there is an explanation of how important the yearly retreat is to renew Good Resolutions, to have time to reflect, to pray and make a more detailed examination of conscience concerning one’s personal relationship with God, with others and with self. Christian life however is just that: a life. Good and pious people need spiritual exercises to correct what is not good and what separates them from a full relationship with God.
To assist the devout in better understanding spiritual life, St. Francis uses the story about clock. “There is no clock, however good,” he writes “but must be continually wound up; and moreover, during the course of each year it will need taking to pieces, to cleanse away the rust which clogs it, to straighten bent works and renew the parts that are worn out” (Part V, 1st Chapter).
The same is true with the Christian life, which also needs regular exercises, meditations, as the saint explains in the 2nd chapter, and an examination of the Soul in different aspect as progress in the devout life, where he is teaching in chapters 3rd, 4th, 5th. 6th, 7th and 8th. In the personal growth in faith to God is very important to consider what kind relation I have with God, my neighbour and myself. Continuing his teaching he is presenting various saint as the best sample how important is to participate in the spiritual exercises. “Consider the example of the Saints on all sides, what have they not done in order to love God and lead a devout life”. (Part V, 12th Chapter)
In the spiritual exercises the most important point to remember is what God has done and how you are relating with Him, loving, expressing gratitude and searching for Him. God has to be the first aim in the spiritual growth.
Synthesis by Jan Marciniak
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