Sermons of SFS for Lent 

By Saint Francis De Sales

Edited By: Lewis S. Fiorelli OSFS

Twelve sermons on key aspects of the Christian life given during Lent, 1622--fasting, how to resist temptation, the danger of losing one's soul, living faith vs. dead or dying faith, Christian attitude toward death, proper conduct in illness, God\'s special providence toward those living a spiritual life, the hidden meanings of Our Lord's Passion, eternal happiness, mutual charity, etc. (230 pgs)

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Saint Francis de Sales, famous Doctor of the Church, is one of the 4 or 5 greatest masters of the spiritual life - a wise, learned and gentle teacher for all. In these 12 sermons preached to the visitation nuns in Lent of 1622 and published now for the first time in English, St. Francis covers most of the central teachings of the Christian Life, including fasting, eternal happiness, the danger of losing one's soul, the proper way to hear the word of God, a living faith vs. a dead or dying faith, love of neighbor, temptation and how to resist it, the qualities of prayer, the Christian attitude toward death, proper conduct in illness, humility and obedience, God's special providence toward those living a spiritual life, and the hidden spiritual meanings of the events of Our Lord's Passion.

Profoundly at home with the holy Scriptures, both Old Testament and New, St. Francis dc Sales expounds the admirable spiritual teachings which are not visible to the casual reader of the Sacred Texts. Familiar also with the foolishness and weakness of the human heart, he points out to his hearers the manifold ways of getting side-tracked from the practice of solid virtue or of attempting to practice the virtues in accord with worldly prudence, as well as the folly of insisting on serving God in our own way. And St. Francis dc Sales does not hesitate to warn that those in all states and vocations should have a salutary fear of eternal damnation—along with a great hope and confidence in God.

In these sermons the true Christian attitude toward lite comes into crystal clear focus on every page. Through them the reader will realize what it means to practice the virtues in all their purity, and will see the deep spiritual meanings which they have in the eyes of God. All who follow the wise and holy counsels of St. Francis dc Sales as presented here will indeed be on the true path of holiness and salvation, measuring all things in terms of eternity and advancing steadily toward Heaven, our only real home.