Sing with Human Reason
Dear friends, sing the Psalm with human reason, not like birds.
Thrushes, parrots, ravens, magpies, and the like are often taught to say
what
they do not
understand. However, to know what we are saying was granted by God's will
to
human nature.
Hence, we who have learned in the Church to sing God's words should be
eager to
do so.
We should know and see with a clear mind what we have all sung together
with one
voice.
Augustine - Commentary on Psalm 18, 2
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January 24th - St. Francis de Sales
Francis Bonaventure de Sales was the eldest of thirteen children born to
Francis
de Boisy and Frances de Sionnaz, a devout Catholic family. He was born on
August
21, 1567, at Thorens, Savoy, France. Being of a noble family he was well
educated, first at La Roche and then at Annecy.
He decided at an early age to become a priest and studied at the Jesuit
college
of Clermont which was a part of the University of Paris. During this time
he
promised a life of virginity to God and spent time in meditation and study
of
theology and Scripture as well as receiving a degree in arts. After six
years he
returned to Annecy where his father wanted him to become a statesman.
Francis
studied law at the University of Padua, receiving his degree in 1591.
Against
his father wishes he was ordained to the priesthood on December 18, 1593.
Civil and religious turmoil was prevalent at this time. In 1593 Francis
and his
cousin Louis were sent as missionaries to Savoy. Their preaching efforts
met
with little success. After four months, Louis returned home. Francis
changed his
approach and began writing short articles explaining different aspects of
the
Catholic faith in a simple and straightforward manner. He also refuted the
teachings of the reformers. This met with great success and after four
years the
civil powers were more in favor of allowing the Catholic Church to exist
and
grow. Francis was instrumental in the founding of a school by the Jesuits
and in
bringing more clergy to staff the churches.
In 1602 Francis established a group of secular priests under the Oratorian
rule
at Thonon and on December 8th of that year he was consecrated bishop of
the
diocese of Geneva. Unable to establish a seminary in his diocese, Bishop
Francis
took upon himself the training of priests. Synods were held and at one,
the
Roman rite for administration of sacraments was adopted.
Francis was just as strong in his concern for clergy as well as the laity.
He
established a lay confraternity for the teaching of Christian doctrine.
Classes
were held every Sunday and Holy day in all the churches of his diocese. In
1608
he began a three year journey of visiting every parish in his diocese. He
spent
hours each day preaching teaching and encouraging his people to a deeper
conversion and relation****p with God.
Francis would spend twenty years shepherding his people. No matter what
disorder
was present, he would find the proper remedy. His writings were numerous,
the
most famous being the, "Introduction to the Devout Life," and the,
"Treatise on
the Love of God." He was also instrumental, with St. Jane Francis de
Chantal, in
founding the Visitation Sisters.
After a short illness, Francis died at Lyon, France on December 28, 1622.
His
had been a life of untiring effort to make known the Word of God. While he
was
an excellent preacher and teacher, it was his humility, compassion,
patience,
perseverance, gentleness and an ardent love for his people that were the
cause
of so many conversions. Francis was canonized in 1665, declared a doctor
of the
Church in 1877 and was named patron saint of journalists by Pope Pius XI.
Quotes:
"The difference between a good person and a devout one is this: the good
person
keeps God's commandments, though without any great speed or fervor; the
devout
not only observes them but does so willingly, speedily, and with a good
heart."
-Saint Francis de Sales.
"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.
The same Everlasting Father, who takes care of you today,
will take care of you tomorrow.
He will either ****eld you from suffering,
or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then,
and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
-Saint Francis de Sales.
Bible Quote:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom
tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry
made:
Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him.
(Matt 25:4-6)
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Maxims of Saint Francis de Sales
Undertake all of your duties with a calm mind and try to do them one at a
time. If you try to do them all at once, or without order, your spirits
will be
so overcharged and depressed that they will likely sink under the burden
and
nothing will be done.
In all of your affairs, rely on the Providence of God through which alone
you
much look for success. Strive quietly to cooperate with its designs. If
you
have a sure trust in God, the success that comes to you will always be
that
which is most useful to you, whether it appears good or bad in your
private
judgment.
Think of the little children who with one hand hold fast to their father
while with the other they gather berries. If you handle the goods of this
world
with one hand, you must also always hold fast with the other to your
heavenly
Father's hand, and turn toward him from time to time to see if you are
pleasing
him. Above all, be sure that you never leave his hand and his protection,
thinking that with your own two hands you can gather more or get some
other
advantage.
Saint Francis de Sales, from Introduction to the Devout Life
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