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

RECOLLECTIONS WITH St. FRANCIS DE SALES





JULY 2005 - APRIL 2006

A Word from the Commission

Dear Confreres,

It is with great joy that we place in your hands a fourth set of developed themes for the year July 2005 - June 2006. The purpose of the Salesian Monthly Recollections of our Communities/Apostolic Communities, as indicated by Rev. Fr. Agnelo Fernandes, our Superior General, in his letter of 27 November 2001 is to motivate us to live in a more vibrant and witnessing way our Salesian Vocation and Spirituality.

The first set of themes was about the BASICS OF SALESIAN SPIRITUALITY. The second set focused on our RELIGIOUS LIFE. The third set, flowing from St. Francis de Sales favourite maxim, "Live Jesus", drew our attention to PRAYER AND GRATIFYING LOVE LEADING TO CONTEMPLATION. Moreover, our participation in our Constitutions Retreat, has surely deepened in us the spirit of St. Francis de Sales and of Fr. Peter Mermier.

The present set of themes concentrates on our RESPONSE TO GOD'S WILL. In other words, the third set was about Praying with Jesus and the fourth set is about Living with Jesus. Or using the terminology of our Patron, the third set dealt with Gratifying Love and the fourth set concerns Benevolent Love.

This set of themes is arranged in three groups: Our Response to God's Will (first three themes; Growing in our Response to God's will (second three themes); Towards the Summit of our Response to God's Will (last three themes). These Recollections are going to be made during the year of the Eucharist. So, we have added numerous references to the Eucharist which may help us to harmonise Salesian Spirituality and the Benevolent Love manifested in the Eucharist. For a better understanding of this set of themes it is strongly recommended that each one read carefully Books VIII, IX and X of the Treatise on the Love of God.

We have kept in mind the request of Rev. Fr. Superior General that "the expansion of the themes should have indicators for practical living of the themes in our day to day life." Hence the personal questions which touch the heart, cause soul-searching reflections and lead to sharing that is enriching.

What is expected of us, as a Congregation, is very forcefully brought to our notice by Fr. Superior General, in his letter of 25 March 2002, introducing the first set of Salesian Recollections. The relevant extracts from that letter are included.

With every good wish

Fr. Devasia Manalel,

Fr. Armind Nazareth,

Fr. Antony Mookenthottam

December 17, 2004