By Fr. Antony Valungal

To live someone presupposes the knowledge about that person. So, the first chapter begins with the spirituality of Jesus. Abba experience and fulfilment of Father’s will was the foundation of the Jesus’ spirituality. Jesus expressed this loving relation with the father through his love towards neighbour and faithfully brought forth his kingdom in this world. In the history of the Church, many saints have tried to Live Jesus . Foremost among them are Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Paul who were the two most important figures who succeeded fully in their attempt. They followed Jesus in obedience to the will of God and loving service to the neighbour. Francis de Sales was a priest and bishop who could succeed to ‘Live Jesus’ in his life. Many witnessed that they were seeing Francis as a living presence of Jesus. Since this thesis is aiming at priests, Francis de Sales life and experience as a priest can be a model and unmistaken as a guide to a priest in his spiritual growth. According to Dc Sales Live Jesus is a union with Jesus, our transformation into him and radiating him m love.

Second chapter gives explanation to this definition. ‘Live Jesus according to the words of Francis dc Sales is to have the name of Jesus engraved on one’s own heart. It was to allow that name to become one's own true name, to allow entire self- body, thoughts, affections, actions, decisions, work, and devotion- to be animated by the reality of the person known by that name. To allow Jesus to live one did not simply learn about Jesus or to pray to Jesus or even to imitate Jesus. But it is a surrendering the vital centre of one’s being lo Jesus’ living presence.

Third chapter begins with challenges of priestly life today. To meet the challenges one should be rooted in Christ. Thus through her documents the Church expresses the spirituality of priests as one who is living Jesus and specially living Jesus through his Pastoral charity. When a priest live a life in prayer and will of God and he habitually and consciously directs his intention to the accomplishment of ‘Live Jesus,’ and try to replicate his life and mission in the present moment and circumstances of life, the priesthood becomes ever relevant as Christ.

Francis de Sales who lived Jesus in his life encourages the priest by teaching who a priest is. Priest, as a man called by God, is the one appointed by the Church and he is the one who is sent for the people. This identity gives him various responsibilities like leader of the com m unity, prophet for the people and minister of the sacraments. This obligation towards people and God demands from a priest a life suited to his call in obedience, chastity and poverty. In order to develop a sincere commitment, a priest also needs to practise the virtues of patience, gentleness and humility. Priest is a student and teacher always. As a minister of holy things, a priest should be a man of prayer and a man who fulfils the will of God. All these demands are being fulfilled in the single term ‘Live Jesus/ So, the life o f a Christian and especially the life of a ministerial priest is a call to ‘Live Jesus.’ Hence, it is certain that Francis dc Sales’ spirituality of ‘Live Jesus’ is a real practical and suited way of life for the ministerial priests of the present world.