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Salient Features of Salesian Spirituality | Prayer | Salesian Literature | Salesian Views

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"A Spirituality of the Heart"

Francis de Sales laid emphasis on the fact that God is the origin and end of humans.  We turn to God instinctively. We belong to God and God belongs to us. God has no need of us. Yet, God created us simply because of His goodness and that we may  attain everlasting life and thus be united with Him. God created us for Himself. The world is there for us. But our final end is God Himself.

What makes Salesian spirituality most relevant today is the fact that it is so much human. “All is for love, in love, to love and of love in the holy Church”, he declares in the first pages of his “Treatise on Divine Love.” His humanism and deep insights into human nature attract anyone who wants to tread the path of holiness.

His personal touch and his capacity for intimacy attracted many to seek his guidance. He kept in touch with them personally or through letters. He helped them to live the Gospel in the ordinary events of everyday life. He laid great emphasis on the need to be aware of the presence of God in us. All our activities, both spiritual and worldly, will become holy through the awareness of the presence of God in our lives. We need to put all our heart into whatever we are doing- how serious or silly it may seem to be. We should do everything for the love of God.

The starting point of all holiness for St. Francis de Sales is the love of God. Devotion that is true and loving presupposes love of God, rather it is nothing else that true love of God. It does not mean that the love of one’s neighbor is neglected because there are no two loves, but one single love which from God flows into every human person. Love of neighbor is the natural corollary of the love of God. Intense flames of divine love motivates, energizes daily human activity –leads to good works and good deeds.

   The Universal Call to Holiness    Devotion must be suited to One’s own Status   Integration and Harmony in Pursuit of Holiness   Building a Spirituality on the Virtue of Humility    Sustaining of Spiritual Life through Prayer    Nurturing an optimistic Attitude in Life    Building up a Spiritual Life on Little Virtues (Acts)

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   Method of Prayer    Mass    Rosary    Private Prayer    Public Prayer    Ejaculatory Prayer

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