Way of Courage and Peace

Meditations with St.Francis de Sales

Fr. Claude Morel MSFS

(ISBN: 81-85376-56-5)

FOREWORD: From 1602 to 1622, during the 20 years of his episcopate, Saint Francis de Sales wrote an impressive number of letters closely linked to his episcopal charge and of spiritual direction). He published his two major works Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God. He was an outstanding preacher. Doubtless the language and the style have since evolved tremendously. But Saint Francis de Sales continues to exert a great spiritual influence because of his concern for man and his understanding of the people who are bustled by their work and social obligations, and because of his sense of God which bring out the fullness of the riches of the human heart. He is truly a saint for our times.

In 1988, I published the book Gaze of Joy and Confidence which was a collection of brief reflections on quotations from the Works of Saint Francis de Sales. Many people found therein nourishment for their spiritual life and help to keep their serenity in the face of the trials and tribulations of life. Through his vision of faith in people and in the events of life, Saint Francis de Sales calls us to live in courage and peace.

This Way of Courage and Peace, follows the same line of thought, of simplicity and brevity. There is one change, however, which I hope will help readers. In this book I have given the references to the Works of Saint Francis de Sales. May this book help you to make progress in die way of holiness. You have to make your way quite simply, in faith and without any artifice, to come closer to God, to love Him and to unite yourself to Him.

(Letters, AE XVIII, p. 239)

Table of Contents

FOREWORD

I. PERSPECTIVES

The most marvellous communication
In order to be happy
A call to love
To accentuate the positive
A journey to happiness
To listen to God ’s call
A heart filled with hope
As a sign of affection
To nourish a desire
Gentleness and suavity
To be really reasonable
Gathering up our resources
To admire God’s marvels
Perspectives of eternity
To be happy
Identification with the Suffering Christ
I am hiring
Consecrated to Love
Relaxation or depression?
Priest of Jesus Christ
A go o d relaxation
Called to eternal life
On the road to perfection
Just what is necessary
A patient search for holiness

II. TO LIVE AND TO LOVE

In search of happiness
The primacy of love
True love
To be alive
Thirst for progress, for freedom
Misery and grandeur
To be alive in God is to love Him
The heart of an apostle
The action of grace
To make a success of one’s life
Mutual support
To be humble
Called to hope
To abandon ourselves to God
Is God near or far
Mary, model of growth m holiness
In the image and likeness of God
To return to the essential
Incomparable love
Pray a little but often
Start again with a good heart
A fresh look
Human adventure
Why not together?
Meek and humble of heart

III. COURAGE AND PEACE

Strength and courage
He who sets us free
“Prince of peace"
Live according to the spirit of the Lord
Out of love or out of fear?
Hold fast to your confidence
Courage not easily disturbed
A spring of living water
To serve with greater fidelity
True freedom
Never give up
Constancy and perseverance
Joy and peace
Pure and simple faith
In the midst of trials.
In the midst of sufferings and trials
To live in the Spirit
The strength that comes from faith
Salesian optimism
To live in confidence
Be at peace
True fidelity
In the face of vexations
Be realistic!
Don’t worry!

IV. ILLUSTRATIONS

To have a good stomach
True value.
Opting for God
The holy indifference
Beauty in diversity
In words or in acts?
A sound currency
Long and exacting work
Christ our K in g
Remembering of our dear departed
Self-love or liberty?
Ruptures
Garden of the Church
Glory and praise to God
Make way firmly and faithfully
Perseverance at prayer
Centre of gravity
Like good gardeners
Fruits of love
Balancing
Be a garden for the Lord
Little chicks without wings
Grape-gathering
Ask for nothing
Work on one’s field

V. IN THE MIDSTOF THE EVENTS OF LIFE

In search of truth
A gaze of faith on new year
Wen trials make us suffer
Our Lady of Compassion
To give proofs
Commitment
Charitable in words
In little things
Way to happiness
To bloom and not to escape
The little world of our contradictions.
Works of mercy
Live in the present times
Quality of life
To have on e’s feet on the ground
Patience and the will of God
The spirit of freedom
To restore confidence
To remain faithful to prayer
The realities beyond
Riches of the heart
All for love
True meaning of vacation
Why to worry about death?
The grace of frequent Communion often
VI. THE MYSTERY OF SALVATION
Belong fully to God
Mystery of Christmas, of m an
When prayer is difficult
New year wishes
Artisans of unity
For a fruitful Lent
Mortifications during Lent
Polishing up
To rise above ourselves
G od never lets us down!
Disciples of the Suffering Servant
To live the risen life
Our Lady of the Magnificat
Model of a perfect gift
A difficult ministry
Vacations
Wonder!
Hail Mary
Face to face with destiny
To be saints
A new dimension
Mystery of welcome
To celebrate Christmas
Mary, model of union with Christ
To cast our gaze on Mary.

This book is available at SFS Publications Bangalore, India