• Ps. 139: Where can I flee from your presence?

• Deut. 8:6; 10:12-13: Walk in all his ways.

• Josh. 22:1-5: Be loyal to him and serve him

• 1 Kings 2:1-4: If you carefully behave and walk before me...

• Is. 57:15: I am with the contrite and humbled spirit...

• Jas. 1:19-27: To listen to the Lord and obey... Come to the help of the orphans, widows and the needy.

• 1 Jn. 2:5-6: We are in God when we live the same kind of life as Christ lived.

• Mt. 7:21: Not every one who says Lord, Lord, ... but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

• Jn. 14:15-17: If you love me, you will keep my commandments... and the Holy Spirit will remain with you for ever.

• Gal. 2:20: It is no longer I, but Christ lives in me.

Since devotion is to be found at a certain level of charity that is extraordinary it makes us prompt, active and earnest in keeping all of God's commandments. But, more than this, it rouses us to do as many good works as we can, promptly and lovingly, even though they are in no way commanded but rather only counselled or inspired. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 1).

In the course of the day, recall lo mind the presence of God, as often as you can. Use one of the four ways I have shown you (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 2). Become aware of what God is doing and of what you are doing: you will realize that his eyes are turned towards you and, with unparalleled love, fixed on you all the time. "My God", you will say, "why do I not look at you always, as you look at me always? You think of me so often, my Lord, and I think of you so seldom. Where am I? My true place is God, and where do I find myself?" (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 12).

Therefore, long for God again and again, Philothea, by short and ardent soarings of the heart: admire his beauty, ask for his help, throw yourself in spirit at the foot of the Cross, adore his goodness, speak to him often about salvation, give him your heart a thousand times a day, fix your interior eyes upon his gentleness, hold out your hand to him like a little child to its father that he may guide you, put him on your breast as a delightful nosegay, plant him in your spirit like a banner. Make a thousand different movements of your heart, to rekindle in yourself love for God, and to rouse yourself to an ardent and tender affection for this divine Spouse. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 13).

In brief, men in love with a human and natural love have their thoughts turned, almost always, towards the person they love. Their heart is full of affection for her. They always speak her praises. In her absence, they lose no opportunity to express their love through letters. They carve her name on the bark of every tree they find. Similarly, those who love God cannot stop thinking of him, seeking him, longing for him and speaking of him. They would engrave, if it were possible, the holy and sacred name of Jesus on the breast of every person in the world.

In this exercise of the awareness of God's presence and of ejaculatory prayers is to be found the most important practice of devotion. It can make up for the lack of all other prayers. But to make good its absence, by any other means, is almost impossible. Without this exercise, the contemplative life cannot be well lived, and the active life will be lived only badly. Without it, relaxation is only idleness and work only discomfort. Therefore, I ask you earnestly, take up this exercise with all your heart and never stop practising it. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 13).

Savoy is a lovely region. Forests covered with wild flowers in spring and summer, thrilled little Francis no end. The leaves of mighty trees changed colours, put on beautiful hues in autumn, finally dried up and fell to the ground. The majestic mountains, decked out in green in spring and summer, dazzling in autumn and covered with ice in winter made lasting impressions on young Francis. They spoke to him about the infinite perfection of their Creator. Flocks of sheep and herds of cattle wandered through green valleys. Birds sang from trees, wild beasts roamed the forests. All these impressed his mind and delighted his heart.

Nature is an unfailing source of inspiration. We cannot but be in nature. There are a few who are constantly inspired by it. In formation, intellectual approach alone can lead to hypocrisy. The heart too should be touched. There is no substitute for a genuine love of nature and an awareness of God's presence and love therein: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." Yes, God clothes them (Mt. 6:29-30). (Formative Biography, pp. 20-21).