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SALESIAN LITERATURE
The Secret of Sanctity
ACCORDING TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES AND FATHER CRASSET, SJ
This book is divided into three parts. The first includes that which relates to the sanctification of our actions; the various intentions with which we should be animated in order to receive the sacraments profitably, to purify our hearts, and to walk constantly in the presence of God. Father Crasset's Considerations Chretienncs form the foundation of these teachings; the passages not from him will be indicated.
The second part includes that which relates to the interior life. The first chapter indicates briefly the sources of our imperfections and their remedies. Then come certain ideas and rules of mortification, of prayer, and the spiritual life, from treatises written on these subjects by Fathers Faber, Crasset, and Lallemant.
The subject of the third part is union with God through contemplation. It will include a treatise on this subject by Father Crasset, and the doctrine of St. Francis de Sales on contemplation. A letter of the saint is on the marks of true recollection will complete these teachings, and another extract from the works of St. Chantal will show us the heart of the saint in the exercise of this continual union with God.
Detailed Table of Contents
PART ONE: SANCTIFICATION OF OUR ACTIONS.
Chapter I. Of the Regulation of our Actions.
Advantages of a Rule,
Rule of Life,
Chapter II. The First Actions of the Day.
The First-fruits of our Actions
Chapter III. Mental and Vocal Prayer
Mental Prayer
Vocal Prayer
Chapter IV. Short Method of Prayer according to the Spirit of St. Francis de Sales, and Preliminary Advice on Prayer by Mgr. Camus, Bishop of Belley
Chapter V. On the Presence of God
Chapter VI. Advice on Prayer
Chapter VII. St. Francis de Sales Rules for Meditation
Chapter VIII. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Chapter IX. The two Examens
Particular Examen
General Examen
Chapter X. Of Confession and Direction
Chapter XI. Holy Communion
Chapter XII. The Occupations of the Day
Chapter XIII. Of a State of Life
Chapter XIV. Of the Exercise of One s Charge
Chapter XV. Of Visits and Conversation
Chapter XVI. Silence
Chapter XVII. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
Chapter XVIII. Spiritual Recollection
Chapter XIX. Of Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayers, and Good Thoughts
Chapter XX. St. Francis de Sales Manner of Performing his Actions
First Treatise. The Sources of our Imperfections and their Remedies
Second Treatise. Mortification,
True Idea of Mortification
Necessity of Mortification
Reply to Various Objections
Benefits and Advantages of Mortification
Discretion in the Use of Mortification
Dangers to be Avoided
Third Treatise. Prayer
The Excellence and Necessity of Mental Prayer
Dispositions for Prayer
Various Kinds of Prayer
Meditation
Distractions
Causes of Distractions and Aridity
We must never be troubled because of Distractions and Aridity
Remedies for Distractions
First Means of Devotion
Second Means of Devotion
Third Means of Devotion
Fourth Means of Devotion
Fifth Means of Devotion
Sixth Means of Devotion
Seventh Means of Devotion
Last Means of Devotion
Fourth Treatise. The Devotion of Calvary
First Instruction. How Important it is to Meditate on the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Second Instruction. A New Manner of Meditating on the Passion
Third Instruction. What they should do who cannot Meditate on the Passion
Fourth Instruction. What they should do who have ceased to be able to Meditate on the Passion
Fifth Instruction. In what Manner Perfect Souls may Meditate on the Passion
Fifth Treatise. The Interior Life
Chapter I. Article I. In what Interior Life consists
Article II. How we ought to imitate the Interior Life of God
Article III. How it is that we make so Little Progress in the Interior Life
Chapter II. Of the Motives that lead us to the Interior Life
Article I. We make No Progress in the Ways of Perfection unless we give our selves to the Interior Life
Article II. Without Prayer we cannot acquit ourselves of the Duties of our Vocation, nor gather Fruit from our Ministrations
Article III. Peace is not found except in the Interior Life, and our Dissatisfactions spring only from our not being Interior Men
Chapter III. The Occupations of the Interior Life
Article I. Of Watchfulness over our Interior
Article II. How Important it is that we should join the Interior with our Exterior Occupations
Article III. We ought not to engage in Exterior Occupations of our own Accord
Chapter IV. Advice for the Interior Life
Article 1. We ought to cultivate the Will more than the Understanding
Article II. The Path of Faith is a Safer Way to Perfection than that of Sensible Graces,
Article III. The Best Mode of Practising the Virtues
Sixth Treatise. Means of Acquiring Perfection
PART THREE: UNION WITH GOD BY CONTEMPLATION.
Chapter I. Union of the Soul with a God through Contemplation
Chapter II. The Doctrine of St. Francis de Sales in regard to Contemplation
Divine Love seeks Solitude and Silence
Difference between Meditation and Contemplation
The Knowledge of God is less necessary to us than Love
How Contemplation reduces all this to simple Unity
The Various Means which lead to Contemplation
Love collects the Powers of the Soul
Recollection is frequently produced and increased by a Gentle, Reverent Fear
Of the Repose of a Soul recollected in God
Of the Manner in which the Soul enjoys Repose in God in the Prayer of Quiet
Of the Different Degrees of the Prayer of Quiet, and the Means which should be employed to preserve the Holy Repose of the Soul
Self-denial is the Safest Means of establishing ourselves in the Presence of God
Perfect Submission to the Will of God keeps the Soul in continual Prayer,
Chapter III. Letter of St. Francis de Sales to St. Jane Frances de Chantal
Chapter IV. The Continual Prayer of St. Francis de Sales
Chapter V. The Life of Jesus in Mary
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