By Antony Mookenthottam, MSFS

God by becoming man has bestowed a special dignity on human nature. He wants every human being to be fully human; to be fully human is the first step towards attaining Christian perfection. St. Francis de Sales is a person who understood what it means to be fully human: to accept oneself as he is, with all his limitations and at the same time to be on the guard, lest one becomes a prey to his weaknesses. The Saint stresses the necessity of accepting one’s own situation in life and to make the best out of it; he writes: "Let us be what we are and let us be it well” (AE XIM. 53-54).

Dr. Antony Mookenthottam points out in this booklet how St. Francis de Sales tried to be fully human in his: relations with his fellow-men. The Saint had his own human weaknesses; he had his own moment of anxiety, anger, solitude and depression; he had also his moment of good humour and joy. Francis was a man of simplicity, personal in his approach, a person without formalities, a man with deep understanding for other people and their problems, a person capable of weeping with those who weep, a gentle director of souls encouraging the weak, but at the same time very exacting when it is question of principles. His human approach made pastoral ministry very effective.

This booklet challenges us to be more human in relations with our fellow-men. By becoming more and more human and compassionate, man comes closer to God, the all understanding and all forgiving Father.