by Fr. Midathada Mariadas MSFS

(This is the first part of his Doctoral Dissertation in Pastoral Theology)

A labour of filial affection, this thesis on "the Pastoral spirit of St. Francis de Sales" offers a study in depth of Francis de Sales' pastoral concern. St. Francis de Sales, first and foremost, is the Pastor of the Church according to the heart of our Lord, the Eternal High Priest and Good Shepherd. His pastoral spirit is the fruit of his pure love of God. In the biblical sense, it is the "life- breath" that animates one's conduct, words and deeds and inspires others for the same purpose. Zeal is the overflowing fervour of love. His pastoral zeal is the one that has vivified all his pastoral life and ministry. It is his pastoral zeal that prompted him to engage himself in the perilous task of going in search of his erring sheep and bringing them back to the true fold of Christ. And again, it is ardent pastoral zeal that motivated him to devote himself to the noble work of tending his faithful flock on the green pastures and at the limpid fountains of the love of God and of the love of neighbour for God's love alone. In a word, it is his inexhaustible pastoral zeal that urged him to spend himself in the service of his entire flock.

The division of the whole thesis is done in two principal parts, corresponding to the double main phase of his life (1) From his birth till his episcopal consecra­tion, 1567-1602; and (2) The entire period of his episcopate as the Pastor of Diocese of Geneva, 1602-1622. These two parts are further divided into five chapters.

The first part contains three chapters. While it has the capital title of his ecclesiastical vocation the first chapter briefs the general historical background of his time and deals at length with his integral, human, Christian and mystical formation at different stages of life, at home and in various schools of La Roche, Annecy, Paris and Padua. This long and complete formation had stood him in good stead as an adequate preparation and prelude for his ec­clesiastical vocation. The second chapter sets in relief the realization of his genuine vocation amidst worldly prospects and oppositions from the part of his beloved and good old-aged father, Monsieur de Boisy. His resolute will, strengthened by the grace of God led him to the altar of God, not only to become an ecclesiastic, but ecclesial, to belong to the Church, all in all, by all means. In the third chapter, his ecclesial mission as young priest and Provost of the Cathedral Chapter of Annecy, is explained, as it was directed towards the separated brothers in the diocese of Geneva. His indomitable missionary zeal and effective means and methods are detected and brought to lime-light and his phenomenal success, that had merited the title of "the Apostle of Chablais" is appreciated and applauded.

The second part comprises the fourth and the fifth chapters, which dwell upon the overall pastoral concern of the Bishop of Geneva, with perfect fidelity to the Council of Trent. The fourth chapter lays stress on his pastoral ministry for perfect interior renewal and reform of the diocesan clergy and that of the existing religious Orders. It also exposes his religious mentality in a revolutionary manner by the new foundation of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary with the spirit of perfect charity of the Gospel, humility, gentleness, simplicity and mortification of the will. Finally, in the fifth chapter, according to his clarion call for universal sanctity, the primary pas­toral concern is discussed at length and the various pastoral means, which he employed, are investigated. In particular, the pastorale of the women is con­sidered briefly in their corresponding states of the woman in the world.

The conclusion is drawn with a pin-pointing of the relevance of the pastoral spirit of St. Francis de Sales for our times, as evinced in the living tradition of the Church, especially in the life of the Salesian families and, above all, in the spirit and message of the Second Vatican Council.

This first part published in this book, tells us how the Bishop of Geneva was prepared humanly, intellectually and spiritually to be a pastor of souls; next, how he began his apos­tolate in Annecy and gave the measure of his zeal in the Mission of Chablais; and finally how as a Bishop his pastoral concern was not limited to his diocese but was extended to France, Switzerland and Italy, and finally became an inspiration for the whole world.