SALESIAN LITERATURE

OPTIMISM IN THE WORKS SFS


By Dr. William Marceau

Visakhapatnam - 530023, A.P. India . Optimism in the Works of Saint Francis de Sales is a painstaking study on the various aspects and dimensions of Salesian Optimism. Dr. William Marceau sees in the writings of the illustrious Bishop of Geneva a high point of optimism which flows from Christian humanism. Christian humanism, says the author, is a spirit of optimism, of equilibrium and of adaptation. Numerous factors - intellectual as well as spiritual-have created in Saint Francis de Sales an optimistic concept of life and of the relationship of men with God. This Salesian Optimism, the author explains, is found in all the works of the saint and in particular in the Introduction to the Devout Life, the Treatise on the Love of God and his letters. It is the fundamental principle of his life, of his apostolate and of his influence through the centuries.

Table of Contents

Translator’s Note

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I: Historical Outline

Family Influences

Influence of Nature

Intellectual Influences

Maldonal and the Jesuit College of Clermont

Humanism

Spiritual Influences

Christian Pessimism

Christian Optimism

Predestination

Salesian Optimism

CHAPTER II : Sources of Saint Francis de Sales

Secular Authors

Spiritual Sources

Ecclesiastical Authors

The Schools

Plato

The More Important Authors

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Augustine

Love of God

Saint Bonaventure

The Jesuits

Fr. Possevin

Fr. Rich come

Fr. Binet

Fr. Coton

Cardinal Bellarmine

CHAPTER III: Pure Love and Schools of Spirituality

Historical Survey

The Italian School and Saint Catherine of Sienna

Saint Catherine of Genoa

Indifferent Love or Abandonment

The Spanish School and Saint Teresa of Avila

Spiritual Progress

Saint Louis of Granada

CHAPTER IV: Salesian Voluntarism

The Philosophy of Man

The Philosophical Sources of Voluntarism

The Aspiration of Ma

Man’s Goal and His Problems

The Origin and the Power of Man’s Goal

The Awakening of the Inclination

Providence

A General View

Hope

CHAPTER V: Some Salesian Virtues Flowing from Optimism

Some Salesian Virtues which are born in Optimism

Confidence

In Temptation

Abandonment

The Spirit of Childhood

Man’s Liberty, Peace and Joy

CONCLUSION

References and Footnotes

Bibliography