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"Be what you are, Be at its best!"      - St. Francis de Sales

Editorial  SFS  Fr. Mermier  General Curia  SFS Publications      News from the Provinces Brazil   East Africa England Franco-Swiss North-east India Nagpur  Pune   South-west India Visakhapatnam     Hearty Congratulations Fr. D. Kuzhupil  Fr. E. Mayoraz Fr. A. Fernandes Fr. A. Mookenthotam Fr. A. Mangatt  New Priests   Vol. 3  May 2001

Fransalian International

A Genuine Conversion of Heart

Introduction   The Good News is deeply human and divine. The spiritual message of St. Francis de Sales closely follows it. Holiness, devotion is accessible to all without exception. All partial views or visions of holiness are rejected. The Saint presents a holistic view. Authentic holiness or devotion has two dimensions: the experiential, love of God, charity burning with intense flames and the active, the same love, charity leading to actions, good deeds promptly and lovingly.

Click on picture to enlarge   At the footsteps of St. Francis de Sales

We came so far in the last two issues. How are we to realise this wholeness, devotion which ennobles every profession, every work and activity? The starting point is to be a genuine change of heart.

The cause of sin is charity growing cold. Like a flame that becomes dim, the flames of charity die down. Love of God and neighbour loses its warmth. Pleasant feelings disappear. Unhappiness and dissatisfaction creep in. Peace is lost. Sin is deforming and spiteful. It disfigures and even shatters God's image in us. It is a disgrace to human dignity. It reduces us to the level of beasts. We become slaves to our passions. We overthrow the order of reason (Treatise on the Love of God, Book 2, Chapter 18). So it is eminently reasonable and so, human to repent of our sins (Treatise on the Love of God, Book 2, Chapter 19).

A Genuine Conversion   In earnest repentance, there is sorrow for sin, hatred or dislike of sin. Hidden in repentance lies the fire of divine love, which, if nurtured, will burst out into flames. Conversion is a return from sin to God, from slavery to freedom, from guilt feelings to forgiveness, a celebration of reconciliation with the Father, a deep experience of the Father's love (Lk: 15:11-24) from sadness to joy, from anguish to peace. How can we realise this?

A Series of Meditations

St. Francis de Sales suggests some meditations on the meaning of our existence and the ultimate goal of the human person. A person is confronted with the reality of his actual condition, which is opposed to the meaning, and purpose of his life. Then he is oriented to make a deliberate choice for Christ, a life dedicated to him and a commitment to enter a style of life, devotion, that will lead him to it (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapters 9-21). To go alone in this path is risky.

It is human to long for company. A companion is all the more desirable when we have to undertake a long journey. So St. Francis de Sales very strongly recommends: If you want to set out earnestly on the path of devotion, find some good person to guide and direct you. This is the most important advice (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 4)." If we find such a guide, this relationship with him is a friendship that should be strong and gentle, entirely holy, entirely sacred, entirely divine and entirely spiritual" (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 4). Friendship fosters confidence: In your dealings with him open your heart with complete sincerity and fidelity, clearly disclosing to him the good and the bad in you without pretending or concealing. In this way, the good in you will be assessed and made secure and the bad will be set right and cured (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 4). Such is the task of this guide.

Fr. Antony Mookenthottam msfs