SALESIAN LITERATURE

PERFECTION

A Salesian Perspective

Fr. Thomas Perumalil, MSFS

ISBN - 81-85812-24-1

This book is a PhD Thesis by Fr. Thomas Perumalil, MSFS. It is a study of Christian Perfection and its stages leading to the summit of pure love as taught by Saint Francis de Sales in comparison with the "Interior Castle" of Saint Teresa of Avila. The views of several serious authors on spirituality both ancient and modern are presented. The concern of Saint Francis de Sales was to offer a spirituality to the people of God active like himself in the midst of the world as well as to the contemplative. Sometimes it was not properly understood. The author presents Christian Perfection from the perspective of Saint Francis de Sales giving special emphasis to its practical and mystical dimension. Thus, the book is a contribution to the study, understanding and living of Spirituality.

Table of Contents

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABBREVIATIONS


INTRODUCTION.

A Review

Michael Muller

E.J. Lajeunie

Joseph Kulathunkal

Pierre Veuillot

A New Topic

Relevance of the Topic

Context of Francis de Sales in the History of Spirituality

Primary Sources

Translations made use of

Secondary Sources

Methodology


CHAPTER I CONCEPT OF MAN.

Man in Relation to God

Christo-centrism

The Fallen Nature of Man

An Optimistic View of Life

Uniqueness of Each Person

Human Freedom

Everyone's Right to a Good Name

Two Parts of the Soul

Further Division.

Conclusion


CHAPTER II PERFECTION: A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERM

Etymology and Meaning

Kinds of Perfection

Greek Thought

Biblical Notion

Christian Perfection

Perfection and Holiness

Perfection and Charity

Dimensions of Perfection

St. Augustine's View of Perfection

Perfection According to Bernard of Clairvaux

Francis de Sales and Human Perfection

Wrong Notion about Perfection

Perfection a Process

Obstacles to Perfection

Universal Call to Perfection

Conclusion


CHAPTER III THE FIRST STAGE OF PERFECTION: BEGINNING OF LOVE

Conversion.

Young Maidens

Different Types of Conversion

God's Initiative

The Process of Conversion

Different Kinds of Penitence

Different Motives

Qualities of Souls in the First Stage of Perfection

Self-Awareness and God-Awareness

Affections Pertaining to the First Stage of Perfection

Quality of Love in the First Stage of Perfection


Purification.

Virtues and Purification.

Beginning of Love and the First Two Mansions

First Mansions

Second Mansions

Similarity Between the First Stage of Perfection and the Two Mansions

Prayer Practised in the First Stage of Perfection

Salesian Concept of Prayer

Vocal Prayer

Mental Prayer

Meditation

Certain Problems and Their Solutions

Meditative Reading

Ejaculatory Prayer and Aspirations

Conclusion.


CHAPTER IV THE SECOND STAGE OF PERFECTION: PROGRESS IN LOVE

The Dames

Characteristics of Love in the Second Stage of Perfection

Affections Pertaining to the Second Stage of Perfection

The Illuminative Way and the Second Stage of Perfection

The Third and the Fourth Mansions

Prayer in the Second Stage of Perfection

Affective Prayer

Advantage and Disadvantage of Affective Prayer

Francis de Sales' Teaching on Affective Prayer

Acquired Contemplation (Prayer of Simplicity)

Acquired Contemplation as Taught by Francis de Sales

Other Views on Acquired Contemplation

Infused Contemplation

Prayer of Quiet, (Repos Sacre,Recueillement Amoureux)

Different Degrees of “Loving Recollection"

Teresian Imagery

Three Degrees of Semi-Passive Mystical Prayer

Primacy of Humility and Charity

Charity

Conclusion


CHAPTER V THE THIRD STAGE OF PERFECTION: (DEVOTION)

The Queens

Characteristics of Love in the Third Stage of Perfection

Unitive Way and the Third Stage of Perfection

The Third Stage of Perfection and the Third and Fourth Degrees of Piety

The Third Stage of Perfection and Spiritual Adulthood

Affection Pertaining to the Third Stage of Perfection

The Third Degree of Perfection and the Fifth and Sixth Mansions

The Fifth Mansions

The Sixth Mansions

Purification in the Third Stage of Perfection

Night of the Senses (Passive Purification of the Senses).

(Passive Purification of the Spirit)

Night of the Spirit.

Salesian Concept of Passive Purification

Devotion.

Devotion in the “Introduction" and in the “Treatise”

Prayer and Concomitant Experiences in the Third Stage of Perfection

Wounds of Love

The Different Ways Love Wounds the Heart

Loving Langour (la Langueur Amoureuse)

Teresian Imagery

Virtues

Obedience

Mystical Union and Practice of Virtues

Conclusion


CHAPTER VI THE THIRD STAGE OF PERFECTION: DEEPER INTIMACY AND SPIRITUAL BETROTHAL OF THE SOUL

Mystical Union

Full Union or Simple Union

Ecstatic Union

Teresian Concept

Salesian Classification of Ecstasy

The First Type:Ecstasy of the Intellect

The Second Type:Ecstasy of the Will

The Third Type:Ecstasy of Life

Ecstatic Life Is Life of Love

Discernment of True Ecstasy

Stigmata

Spiritual Betrothal

Mystical Phenomena and Perfection

Mystical Experience in the Life of Francis de Sales

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, on May 25,1596

On the Feast of Annunciation,25th March,1599

During Episcopal Consecration, 8th Dec,1602

Conclusion

CHAPTER VII THE FOURTH STAGE OF PERFECTION: HOLY INDIFFERENCE

The Sulamite

Quality of Love

Affections Pertaining to the Fourth Stage of Perfection

Prayer in the Fourth Stage of Perfection

Effects of the Transforming Union

Teresian Imagery and the Seventh Mansions

Holy Indifference

Etymology

Indifferent

Indifference

Clarification of the Etymological Meaning

The Adjectival Meaning

Ordinary Use of the Term indifference,and Its Meaning in Spirituality

Our Choice of the Term Holy Indifference

Concept of Holy Indifference

Biblical Notion

Early Fathers

Ignatian Concept

Salesian Holy Indifference

Holy Indifference and the Permissive Will of God

Resignation and Holy Indifference

Further Illustration of Holy Indifference

Holy Indifference and Salvation

A Perfect Example of Holy Indifference

Different Degrees of Holy Indifference

Fluctuations in Pure Love (Holy Indifference)

Conclusion


CHAPTER VIII EVOLUTION OF HOLY INDIFFERENCE

Self-Renunciation

Conformity to the Will of God

Gratifying Love and the Love of Benevolence

Declared (Revealed) Will and Permissive Will

Death of the Will

New Life of the Will in the Will of God

Confidence in God and Optimism

Ask Nothing Refuse Nothing

Conclusion


CHAPTER IX DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS OF HOLY INDIFFERENCE.

Holy Indifference and Day-to-Day Life

Holy Indifference and Apostolate

Holy Indifference and the Practice of Virtues

Holy Indifference and Prayer

Harmony of Action and Contemplation

Liberty of Spirit

Holy Indifference in the Life of St.Francis de Sales

Conclusion


CONCLUSION.

Relevance of the Salesian Concept of Perfection

Man's True Identity

Vive Jesus

The Meaning and Goal of Existence

Integration and Equilibrium

Holistic View

The Contribution of Salesian Spirituality


BIBLIOGRAPHY.

GLOSSARY

This book is published by IIS Bangalore