St. Francis DeSales Association

From the writings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, we find characteristics of their combined spirituality - their union of hearts.  Each placed great trust in the love and mercy of God for every person and each was confident that the Holy Spirit  would sustain them.

-- is for everyone in every nation and walk of life.  We are made by God and for God.  Through our baptism God gifts us with his grace and we are called to respond by imitating Jesus’ way of love.   Thus, in Salesian terms a Christian learns to ‘Live Jesus’ more each day.

Our prayer life is to be a daily cultivated relationship with God, an interior rather than an exterior piety.  Francis uses the expression, “Cor ad Cor”, “Heart speaks to Heart.”  Our life of prayer is an ongoing inner awareness of God.
 

The virtues needed in our everyday activities -- gentleness, simplicity, humility, patience – are emphasized in Salesian spirituality.  Our spirituality should be attractive to others.  It applies to every action and encounter of our daily life.
 

The Salesian method of discernment helps the believer to perceive and follow where God is leading.  As we listen to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and consult with a spiritual guide, our souls experience great liberty of spirit.  The will is primary in Salesian spirituality since love is a matter of intentionality.
 

In a spirit of openness the individual learns to view all things in God and to recognize the imprint of our creator’s hand.  Through study and prayer, one grows increasingly able to do what is called for in the present moment leaving the results in God’s hands.

Like-minded persons help one another to flourish in the spiritual life.  A shared life of virtue and love of God reflects the love of Jesus for his disciples.  Such friendships nourish, sustain and exemplify the universal call to holiness.

Witness/Evangelization

To live in and with the Spirit of Jesus is both personal and communal.  It is the Salesian way of relating to others being attentive to what is required (speech, silence, activity, etc.) and offering all to God.  St. Francis DeSales taught that the duties of our state in life are in fact our path to realized holiness.

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