To strip oneself in order to surrender

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 1

There are two virtues – one is the goal of the other: to strip oneself in order to surrender.  Now you ought to know that to abandon ourselves and to renounce ourselves is nothing else but to give up our self-will so as to surrender it to God.  For, as I have already told you, it would be pointless to give up our will and renounce ourselves, if it were not to unite ourselves perfectly to God.  it is only with this end in view that we should make this abandonment.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro MSFS)

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 1

This state of abandonment of ourselves to God also means that we have to surrender ourselves to God’s will in all temptations, aridities, dryness, dislikes and reluctances which occur in our spiritual life.  We have to see God’s permissive will in all these things, too, provided they are not the result of our faults and that there is no sin.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro MSFS)

Putting up with ourselves

  Letters to a Wife and Mother

Try to begin each day in a tranquil frame of mind, your soul at peace.  Keep on coming back to it all through the day; keep on starting afresh.  Don’t be upset if you happen to get annoyed.  Don’t worry about it; calmly humbling yourself before God, try to recapture your peace of soul.

(Read further in Letters to a Wife and Mother)

Surrender to God

  Studies in Salesian Spirituality: Prayer and Surrender to God, Nos. 12 & 13

(Read further in Studies in Salesian Spirituality)

  Studies in Salesian Spirituality: Prayer and Surrender to God, Nos. 12 & 13

We are ready to obey God's commandments, to welcome the counsels and the inspirations. We fully accept God's will of good pleasure. We are thus led to a joyful life beyond the commandments. The welcome given to God's will of good pleasure is the highest form of love. This perfect love leads us to holy indifference. Nothing matters any more except the will of God.

(Read further in Francis Moget, Surrender to God in Studies in Salesian Spirituality)

Blessed Virgin Mary and Surrender

  Studies in Salesian Spirituality: Prayer and Surrender to God, Nos. 12 & 13

Surrender to God is typically a Salesian virtue, an essential dynamic power of his spirit and motivating force in his pastoral life. It is seen throughout his saintly life and ministry. There are clear proofs and attestations of this in his words, works, sermons, spiritual conferences and direction, letters and classics.

(Read further in Midathada Mariadas, Blessed Virgin Mary and Surrender in Studies in Salesian Spirituality)

Surrender to God's declared will

  Studies in Salesian Spirituality: Prayer and Surrender to God, Nos. 12 & 13

It is quite clear from the examples given by Francis that he does not restrict the evangelical counsels to chastity, poverty and obedience. The second Vatican Council echoes this broader under­standing and refers, in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, to "the numerous counsels proposed in the Gospel by our Lord to His disciples."

(Read further in Armind Nazareth, Surrender to God's Declared Will in Studies in Salesian Spirituality)

Permissive Will and our surrender to it

  Studies in Salesian Spirituality: Prayer and Surrender to God, Nos. 12 & 13

The Goodness of God, the sense of that goodness permeating all creation, of the dynamic thrust in the centre of created reality that inclines toward its Creator is basic to the Salesian spirit. Humankind is created to know and love God's will.

(Read further in Sr. Celine Kunnel, Permissive Will and our surrender to it in Studies in Salesian Spirituality)

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