February 11, 2009

Spiritual classic by St. Francis de Sales turns 400

CENTER VALLEY, Penn.—This year marks the 400th anniversary of the publishing of St. Francis de Sales’ “An Introduction to the Devout Life.”

According to the Rev. Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S., director of the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture at DeSales University, this work is considered the saint’s masterpiece and offers profound insight into how the everyday person can live a life of faith and devotion, even in the midst of worldly pursuits.

“There is a timeless wisdom and gentleness to this man who lived more than 400 years ago,” Father Dailey said. “Regardless of one’s current state in life, Francis’ words are universal and powerful because they offer encouragement, strength and wisdom for a gentle, happy, everyday life.”

St. Francis de Sales’ definitive piece was published in 1609 yet his words have a very modern ring to them. As a Doctor of the Church, Christian humanist, lawyer, bishop and patron of journalists, St. Francis de Sales has commented on friendship, courage, daily living, war, peace and hope. His words are as powerful today, as when he lived particularly because the world is in similar economic and geopolitical circumstances.

Members of the DeSales University community led by the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture celebrated the book’s anniversary during the fourth annual Heritage Week, a series of events celebrating the legacy of St. Francis de Sales, patron of DeSales University.

“Each year during Heritage Week we honor St. Francis de Sales and celebrate his lasting legacy and ongoing impact in today’s culture,” Father Dailey said. “This year’s Heritage Week took on even deeper meaning because we celebrated Francis’ words, which are as meaningful and impactful today as they were 400 years ago.”

The essence of Francis’ work was to instruct those who live in town, within families, who are obliged to live an ordinary life. He emphasized that even “ordinary” can be holy. One of his most famous and often cited directives is “Be who you are and be that well,” basically telling us to find our truest gifts and share them willingly and lovingly with the world regardless of what the talent or gift is.

An example is when Francis writes to a mother of several small children who was tormented because she felt unable to grow in holiness because the chaos of raising her children prevented her from attending Mass every day. Francis reminded her that holiness was found precisely in how she conducted herself as a mom, not in how often she could attend church. Francis rejects the all-or-nothing attitude of his day (and ours) which pits the secular and the sacred against each other by championing a kind of flexibility that is essential to the spirituality of the laity.

Copies of “Introduction to the Devout Life,” are available at most major booksellers and online at amazon.com.