SALESIAN LITERATURE

Pearls of Our Patron:

SFS Guides

Edited by Fr. Baviri Suresh Babu MSFS

PEARLS OF OUR PATRON: St. Francis de Sales Guides is a spiritual book, consisting of articles on the most inspirational sayings of St. Francis de Sales derived from various writings of St. Francis de Sales, the Gentleman Saint.

The 20 sayings of Francis de Sales, developed into “Pearls of our Patron”, provide us with inspiration garnered from his conferences, collected letters, and publications. These rich insights on the love of God, others, and self will encourage, challenge, and console any reader to live in the present moment. Because this moment is as perfect as it can be. (Fr.Abraham Vettuvelil MSFS, Superior General)

The title of this book is “Pearls of our Patron”. Pearls are best highlighted when they are part of another piece of jewellery, even though pearls are valued by themselves. The contributors of this book have brought about the pearls of our Patron, back to their original shrine. As soon as we enshrine them in the particular context, of the teachings of St Francis e Sales, Doctor of Love, promoter of a spirituality for all, and spiritual guide of so many people, we enjoy their particular brilliance. (Fr. Yves Carron MSFS, Assistant Superior General)

It is not always easy to choose just 10 or 20 sayings when there are hundreds of them. But, the editor, has picked up some of the most famous and widely used sayings of the Doctor of Love to be developed on different headings with a view to transmitting to the readers the true spirit and spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. This work will inspire scores of people to read, understand and live the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales in their efforts to follow Jesus Christ more devoutly and intimately.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

  1. Don’t Try to Fight Fire with Fire -Fr Agnelo Fernandes, MSFS

  2. Keep your Heart in Peace - Fr. Baviri Suresh Babu MSFS

  3. Humility Carries in its Train all Other Virtues - Fr. Binoy Kuzhuppil MSFS

  4. “Geneva did not Come to Thonon, so Thonon Would go to Geneva” - Fr. Issac John MSFS

  5. “All is Safe in Obedience. All is Suspect Outside Obedience.” - Fr Joe Cherolickal MSFS

  6. Happy the Hearts that are Flexible, They are Never Broken - Fr. Jose Kumblolickal MSFS

  7. "Let us be What we are, an be that Well” - Fr. Jose Thomas Puthiaparambil MSFS

  8. Better Make Penitents by Gentleness than Hypocrites by Severity - Fr. Joseph Thazhathukunnel MSFS

  9. Let us Think only of Living To ay Well - Fr. Johnson Kallidukil MSFS

  10. Wherever we may be, If Go is There, All is Well: Where He is Not, Nothing is Well - Fr. D. Kanikkai Nathan MSFS

  11. Ask for Nothing - Refuse Nothing - Dr. Thomas Kochalumchuvattil MSFS

  12. I am Human and no M o re - Fr. Noel Rebello, MSFS

  13. Everything by Love and Nothing by Force - Fr. George Panthanmackel MSFS

  14. What is the use of Building Castles in Spain When we have to Live in France? - Fr. Patrick Jayaraj MSFS

  15. The Simplicity of Spirit, the Perfection of Perfections - Fr. Thomas Perumalil MSFS

  16. The Friendship that is Confined to Beautiful Words is Worth Nothing - Fr. A. Santhiyagu MSFS

  17. More Flies are Caught with a Spoonful of Honey than with a Hun re Barrels of Vinegar - Fr. Maria as Sesetty MSFS

  18. He, who is able to Procure Pearls, does not Burden Himself with Shells - Fr. Thumma Maria as Reddy MSFS

  19. It is Better to Lean Towards Charity rather than Towards Austerity - Fr. Tony Prem MSFS

  20. Bloom Where you are Planted - Fr. K. Henry Jose MSFS