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SALESIAN LITERATURE
St Francis de Sales:
A Formative Biography
Author: Fr. Antony Mookenthottam
ISBN: 81-85376-66-2
PREFACE (by the Superior General of MSFS): This biography of St Francis de Sales, written by Fr Antony Mookenthottam MSFS, is unique, perhaps the first of its Indian Salesian literature. Fr Mookenthottam deserves our sincere appreciation for venturing into a new approach which makes biography not only in formative and inspiring but also formative and transformative for those who take the reading seriously.
This book takes us from one stage of life of Francis de Sales to another with lucidity of expression and poignancy of detail lending itself to formative reflections. These reflections point to the areas of formation that need to be examined. Thus, subtly, Fr Mookenthottam draws up gives a comprehensive programme of formation. His simplicity of style and directness of approach m a e his intention clear, namely: biographical information is not for mere inspirational perusal but for serious personal ‘breaking’ and building' leading to transformation. The biography is indeed a programme for being another St Francis de Sales in today’s world.
Short chapters interspersed between long ones enable the read er to pause whenever necessary to undertake the journey of personalization, responding to the formative reflections at the end of the chapters. As one progresses in reading, one is pleasantly surprised by the questions the author poses for person al interiorisation. The reflections are meant for formators and formees as they outline a programme of formation with St Francis de Sales as a guide.
The book bears ample testimony to the depth and breadth of now ledge that the author has about St Francis de Sales and to his vast experience of counselling and spiritual direction. The Biography is not only a story of the life of Francis; it is as well the story of the author’s own struggle to shape himself into a Salesian personality. I strongly recommend this biography to be a manual of study in all formation houses of students of Salesian families in the world.
Fr Agnelo Fernandes, msfs, Superior General,
Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales
Table of Contents
Acknowledgement
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
PART I: SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES FORMS HIMSELF
Introduction
Chapter 1: THE BIRTH OF FRANCIS DE SALES
Chapter 2: THE CHILD FRANCIS
Chapter 3: NOT A SAINT BY BIRTH
Chapter 4: EDUCATION AT HOME
Chapter 5: FRANCIS AT SCHOOL
Chapter 6: FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION
Chapter 7: FRANCIS IN PARIS
Chapter 8: A SPIRITUAL CRISIS: TEMPTATION
Chapter 9: STUDIES IN PARIS COMPLETED
Chapter 10: FRANCIS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PADUA
Chapter 11: LIFE IN PADUA
Chapter 12: ILLNESS AND DOCTORATE
PART - II: GOD FORMS FRANCIS
Introduction
Chapter 1: TH E PLANS OF FRANCIS DE BOISY
Chapter 2: A SECRET HARD TO REVEAL
Chapter 3: A PRIEST FOREVER
Chapter 4: PASTORAL VISION, PLAN AND ACTION
Chapter 5: SENT WITH A MISSION
Chapter 6: GOD FORMS FRANCIS FOR HIS MISSION
Chapter 7: INITIATIVES: RESPONSE TO CHALLENGES
Chapter 8: WHEN EVERY DOOR CLOSED
Chapter 9: FLOWERS AND FRUIT APPEAR
Chapter 10: CONFRONTATIONS? DEBATES? DIALOGUES?
Chapter 11: THE MISSIONMAKES PROGRESS
Chapter 12: VISITS TO THEODOREDEBEZE
Chapter 13: RELIGIOUS EVENTS
Chapter 14: FRANCIS THE COADJUTOR
Chapter 15: BISHOP ELECT: MISSIONARY
Chapter 16: FRANCIS GOES TO PARIS
Chapter 17: SPIRITUAL RADIANCE
Chapter 1 8: EVOLUTION OF FRANCIS
PART -III: FRANCIS DE SALES: FORMATOR PAR EXCELLENCE
Introduction
Chapter 1: EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION
Chapter 2: THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Chapter 3: PASTORAL VISITS
Chapter 4: FORMATOR OF THE LAITY
Chapter 5: SFS: A SPIRITUAL GUIDE OF THE LAITY
Chapter 6: FORMATOR OF THE CLERGY
Chapter 7: REFORM OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS
Chapter 8: FRANCIS GUIDES MADAM DE CHANTAL
Chapter 9: THROUGH LOW VALLEYS
Chapter 10: FOUNDATION OF THE VISITATION
Chapter 1 1: A RARE FRIENDSHIP
Chapter 12: A SAINT’S FAILURES
Chapter 13: SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 1605 - 1617
Chapter 14: TOTAL AVAILABILITY, TOTAL SURRENDER-I
Chapter 15: TOTAL AVAILABILITY, TOTAL SURRENDER-II
THE HEART OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES
This book is available at SFS Publications, Rajajinagar, Bangalore, India
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