:: Bloom where you are planted :: Recollections with St. Francis de Sales

RECOLLECTIONS WITH St. FRANCIS DE SALES





JULY 2002 - APRIL 2003



Introductory Letter from Fr. Superior General

My Dear Confreres,

With delight I share with you a few words of Introduction as I present to you the first set of Animation Kit for the year July 2002- to June 2003 on Salesian Renewal for the entire Congregation prepared by the Commission consisting of Fr Devasia Manalel, Fr Armind Nazareth and Fr Antony Mookenthottam.

Salesian Renewal by each MSFS is a demand made by our General Chapter 2001. In its Statement (No 15) the General Chapter states: "The General Chapter once again strongly urges that that every confrere consciously strives towards a deeper knowledge of St Francis de Sales and his spirituality."

In its Action Plan, No XI, it places before us various ways in which we can do so:

“No XI: Growth in Salesian Spirituality.

Each confrere is to strive towards a better knowledge and practice of the teachings of St. Francis de Sales
Each is to be quite familiar with the pastoral methods of our Patron.
Every apostolic community comes together for regular recollections focusing on the spirituality of St Francis de Sales.
Every member is strongly urged to equip oneself with a deeper Salesian spirituality by attending Salesian seminars, retreats, etc.
Also, personnel should be trained to be confessors and spiritual guides in tune with the spirituality of St Francis de Sales."

The present effort of providing an Animation Kit is to implement 3 of No XI of the Action Plan. The Directives of the Chapter are clear and plain. Discernment made by the Chapter is God's declared Will for us. In doing that Will enthusiastically, simply, and with a great sense of urgency by each member is the secret of our efficacious presence in the Church and a power for the Mission of the Lord. Let us give up defeatist attitudes, doubts of excelling, and negative mental climate that prevent us and others from being led by God's Spirit.

The Commission will present progressively graded Salesian themes clubbed together as Recollection Themes for every year beginning from July 2002 to June 2006. The Themes offer you an opportunity to grow in depth, understanding, reflection, activity and personalization of Salesian spirituality. Knowing well your engagements in apostolic and pastoral works the Commission has proposed a detailed plan and programme for the Recollection. Do not dilute it and unnecessarily modify it to suit avoidable preoccupations. Approach the programme with the greatest interest, seriousness, determination, abiding perseverance and sufficient personal preparedness. Visualize the Salesian changes you want in your personality. Like them. Desire them. Pray for them. Above all make daily concrete effort towards achieving them as a sign of our sincerity before God who will surely give us the grace of a transformed personality. As the Animation Kits are geared towards the maximum human disponibility to receive the grace of transformation from the Lord, I suggest the following after every Recollection:

1) Choose for a month a concrete daily activity, exercise, and attitude, response that will implant a Salesian virtue

or approach based on the Theme. Note it on paper Display it to yourself to be seen as often as you can.

Review your cooperation with God sent opportunities before the end of the day.
Foresee opportunities to grow in the targeted behaviour, attitude, virtue the next day.
Make an Act of surrender to God's Spirit in Peace, Serenity and Patience every day.

2) Personal reading for 15 minutes of the Love of God, Introduction to Devout Life, Conferences of St Francis de Sales Vol. I and Vol. II. Pick out every week two quotations of St Francis de Sales to inspire you.

3) Use the following Salesian barometer to test the quality of your thoughts, words, actions:

Motivation to please God alone and love Him in all that I do.
Calmness, composure and serenity in all situations specially when under pressure of adverse circumstances and provocation.
Being positive about people, events and situations. Seeing the little good when limitations are obviously noticed.
Daily personal space of silence for oneself for interiority, and refocusing.
Loving God in everything and loving everything in God.
Considerateness, attentiveness, helpful attitude, gracious and strong, firm and clear.
Practice of the presence of God while engaged in activity, recreation, and relaxation.
Eschewing all thoughts, words and deeds from the grip of anger, jealousy, greed and insincerity. Zeal and Joy in all that I do.
Sobriety, balance, confidence based on God's personal love for me.
Available to sense God's Will in all circumstances and promptness in doing it.

I look forward to your wholehearted response to this Initiative to implement the directive of the General Chapter. I am confident that our Congregation will experience a new Pentecost because you and I took to heart what God wanted of us. I assure you of my support and prayers. Finally join me in thanking Fr. Manalel, Fr. Armind and Fr. Antony for their love for the Congregation in preparing this Animation Kit and for all the work they will do in the future. I ask God to bless their work and our response and make us fruitful for His Kingdom.

Fr Agnelo Fernandes, MSFS

Superior General

25th March 2002