Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales, June 28th, 2012

How can we recall that Jesus was crucified for love of us and still love anything but Him? How many times have we repeated, written, sung and sighed, "May Jesus reign!" Yet on other occasions we have cried out, "Crucify Him!" [Jn 19:15] My God, how strong we would be if we were closely bound with the holy ties of love purpled by your blood as our Savior!


 (Letters 2001; O. XXI, p. 44)

Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales, June 27th, 2012

Pure love of God is the precious pearl found by all who are in search of Heaven; in exchange for it they are ready to sell all they possess. In fact, we notice that the first Christians were not content with observing the commandments of God. They also put into practice the counsels, abandoning everything with a true spirit of detachment. Hence it can be truly said that they were "of one heart and one mind." [Acts 4:32] The words "mine" and "thine" no longer existed for them. 


(Sermons 20; O. IX, p. 173)

Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales, June 26th, 2012

Humbly and sincerely reveal to your confessor and spiritual director all the feelings, affections and suggestions that proceed from your sadness. At these times seek the company of spiritual persons and spend as much time with them as you can. Resign yourself into God's hands and be ready to suffer this distressing sadness patiently as a just punishment for your vain joys. Do not doubt that after God has put you on trial He will deliver you from this evil.


 (INT. Part IV, Ch. 12; O. III, pp. 315-316)

Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales, June 24th, 2012

I have often wondered what was the greatest mortification practiced by the saints, and, after serious reflection, I discovered this: Saint John the Baptist went out into the desert when he was five years old, knowing that his Redeemer had been born and was living not far from him. God alone knows how the heart of Saint John loved his cousin, Jesus, and how much he would have enjoyed His company. All the same, he remained for twenty-five years in the desert without once coming out. Then, after he had left the desert, he settled down to preaching without going to see Jesus, but waited until the Lord came to him. Even after he had baptized Him, he carried on with his mission! He had his spirit entirely detached from everything so as to do God's will and to serve Him. 


(Letters 234; O. XIII, pp. 366-367)

Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales, June 22nd, 2012

The great work of devotion consists in the exercise of spiritual recollection and ejaculatory prayers. It can supply the lack of all other prayers, but its loss can hardly be repaired by other means. Without this exercise we cannot properly lead the contemplative life, and we can but poorly lead the active life. Without it, rest is mere idleness and labor is drudgery. Hence, I exhort you to take up this practice with all your heart and never give it up. 


(INT. Part III, Ch. 13; O. III, p. 100)

Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales, June 21st, 2012

Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers. All love that does not take its origin from the Savior's passion is foolish and perilous. Unhappy is death without the Savior's love; unhappy is love without the Savior's death. Love and death are so mingled in the Savior's passion that we cannot have the one in our heart without the other. Upon Mount Calvary we cannot have life without love, or love without the Redeemer's death. 


(T.L.G. Book 12, Ch. 13; O. V, p. 346)

Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales, June 20th, 2012

Very often we do not abandon ourselves entirely into the hands of God because it seems to us that God will not take very much notice of us, since we consider ourselves good for nothing. The world like-wise has little use for us. On the contrary, a courageous spirit relies on faith, grows in courage amid difficulties, and knows quite well that God loves, supports and helps those in need when they confide and hope in Him. 


(Letters 1197; O. XVII, pp. 205-206)