JANUARY 24, 2011
DAILY PRAYER WITH REGNUM CHRISTI
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IDENTITY CONFUSION
January 24, 2011
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church
Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, "He is
possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives out
demons." Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How
can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself,
that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up
against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of
him. But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his
property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder
his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that
people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against
the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an
everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are the source of all
goodness. I know that your goodness is both a challenge and a
promise. I trust that your goodness will envelop me if I allow
myself to be found by you. I love you for wanting to fight the battle
against evil for my sake.
Petition: Lord, help me not to be afraid of the battle against
evil.
1. Not Indifferent With Jesus on earth, another world becomes
evident around us: the world of evil spirits. Jesus has come to take
control of the kingdom. The devils are in a panic and begin to lose
ground. Jesus is a threat to evil. His goodness, truth and holiness
are capable of putting the devils into submission. When Christ takes
a stronger hold on my life, things begin to change. Do I let Christ
challenge evil in my heart? In the world around me?
2. Not One of Them Jesus brings change. But change is not evil per
se. The change that Jesus brings is good, since he comes to put
demons in their place, bringing about good. This awakening of the
good worries the devil. The conquest over evil is not always done in
peace and tranquility. Does the spiritual opposition I face as I try
to overcome evil in my life cause me to hesitate in the fight or to
wish that Jesus and his teachings would not be so demanding? Do I
realize that facing difficulties is a sign of growth in Christian
authenticity? Do I let the goodness of Christ radically define my
life? Even in the face of opposition?
3. Only Good Think of the joy that people experienced when Jesus
freed them from the power of the Evil One. Think of the joy we feel
after making a good confession, attending a good retreat or
progressing in virtue. Jesus comes into our life to bring the joy of
freedom from evil. He is God's goodness made flesh. Do I rejoice to
have Christ as my friend? Do I try to listen to his teachings with a
willing heart, thankful for the chance I have to abide in God's heart
by living the life of grace? What an amazing friend I have! I can
trust in his power to lead me along the path of life.
Conversation with Christ: Christ, I know that you are more powerful
than evil. Help me to face up to evil in my life, encouraged by your
friendship and strength. In your name Lord, I will walk with
confidence.
Resolution: I will do something to share my faith with others
today.
meditation.regnumchristi.org

Saint Francis de Sales C.O. (French: Saint François de Sales) (August 21, 1567 – December 28, 1622) was Bishop of Geneva and is a Roman Catholic saint. He worked to convert Protestants back to Catholicism, and was an accomplished preacher. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly Introduction to the Devout Life. His writings on the perfections of the Heart of Mary as the model of love for God influenced St. Jean Eudes C.O. to develop the joint devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.[1] Childhood and youthFrancis de Sales was born Aug 21, 1567 in Château de Thorens into a Savoyard noble family in what is today Thorens-Glières, Haute-Savoie, France. His father was François de Boisy and his mother was Françoise de Sionnz. Because he was the first of six children, his father wanted him to attend the best schools, and he enjoyed a privileged education in the nearby towns of La Roche-sur-Foron and Annecy; his spiritual formation and academics were formed by the Jesuits (a Roman Catholic religious order also known as the Society of Jesus). In 1578, at the age of 12, he went to the Collège de Clermont in Paris. A year later Francis was engulfed in a personal crisis when, after attending a theological discussion about predestination, he became convinced that he was damned to Hell. In December 1586 his despair was so great that he was physically ill and even bedridden for a time. In January 1587, he visited the church of Saint-Etienne des Grès, in southern France, with great difficulty. There his crisis ended, and he decided to dedicate his life to God. Francis came to the conclusion that whatever God had in store for him was good, because "God is love", as Scripture attests. This faithful devotion to the God of love not only expelled his doubts, but also influenced the rest of his life and his teachings. His way of teaching Catholic spirituality is often referred to as the Way of Divine Love, or the Devout Life, taken from a book he wrote of a similar name: Introduction to the Devout Life. [edit] StudiesIn 1588, Francis transferred from the University of Paris to the University of Padua in Italy, where he studied both law and theology. There he made up his mind about becoming a priest. Intelligent and handsome, de Sales went through various conversion experiences that moved his heart to serve God rather than money or the world. One incident included his sword falling to the ground while riding a horse, and crossing another sword, making the sign of the Cross. de Sales interpreted this, among other signs, that Jesus Christ was calling him to a life of sacrifice and self-giving love for the Church. [edit] GraduationIn 1592, he ended his studies with the title of "doctor", certified both in law and theology. He made the pilgrimage to Loreto, Italy, famous for its shrine to the Virgin Mary, before going home. At home, his father had already secured a variety of positions for his son, one of which was a position on the Senate of Chambéry. It was difficult for Francis's father to accept that his son had already chosen the priesthood over a military or political career. After studying the humanities, rhetoric, theology, and law, he famously refused to marry the wealthy heiress his father had chosen as his bride, preferring a clerical career. The intervention of Claude de Granier, then Bishop of Geneva, won him ordination and appointment as provost of the cathedral chapter of Geneva in 1593. [edit] The Old FaithA series of articles on Christian meditation Articles Aspects of meditation • Christian meditation • Hesychasm • Reflection on the New Age Early period Gregory of Nyssa • Bernard of Clairvaux • Guigo II 13-14th centuries Francis of Assisi • Dominic de Guzmán • Bonaventure • Catherine of Siena 15-16th century Ignatius of Loyola • Francisco de Osuna • John of Avila • Teresa of Avila • John of the Cross 17-18th centuries Francis de Sales • Pierre de Bérulle 19th century Therese of Lisieux • Gemma Galgani • Conchita de Armida 20th century Maria Valtorta • Faustina Kowalska • Thomas Merton Since the time of the Protestant Reformation, which began in 1517, the seat of the Catholic bishops of Geneva, Switzerland, had been located at Annecy in Savoy, France, due to Calvinist control of Geneva itself. Francis, in his capacity as provost, engaged in enthusiastic campaigns of evangelism among the Protestants of Savoy, winning many returns to the Old Faith (i.e., Catholicism). He also traveled to Rome and Paris, where he forged alliances with Pope Clement VIII and the French King Henry IV. St. Francis developed a sign language in order to teach a deaf man about God. Because of this, he is the patron saint of the deaf. In 1602, Bishop Granier died, and Francis was consecrated Bishop of Geneva. During his years as bishop, he acquired a reputation as a spellbinding preacher and something of an ascetic; in particular, he was known as a friend of the poor, a man of almost supernatural affability and understanding. These last qualities come through in his books. He died on 28 December 1622 in Lyon, France, while travelling in the entourage of Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy. Saint Francis de Sales was beatified in 1661 by Pope Alexander VII, who then canonized him three years later. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Blessed Pius IX in 1877.[2] The Roman Catholic Church today celebrates St Francis de Sales' feast on January 24, the day of his burial in Annecy in the year 1624.[3] From the year 1666, when his feast day was inserted into the General Roman Calendar, until the reform of this calendar in 1969, it was observed on January 29, and this date is kept by those who prefer to follow a calendar of this period. In 1923, Pope Pius XI proclaimed him a patron of writers and journalists, because of the books he wrote, the most famous of which was Introduction à la vie dévote ("Introduction to the Devout Life"). He also left the mystical Traité de l' Amour de Dieu ("Treatise on the Love of God") and many highly valued letters of spiritual direction. He was a notably clear and gracious stylist in French, Italian and Latin. Heraldic device of Saint Francis de SalesSt Francis de Sales is buried at the basilica of the Visitation, Annecy. Many miracles have been reported at his shrine. The relic of his heart was kept at Lyon, whence during the French Revolution it was moved to Venice, where it is venerated today. Along with Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Francis founded the women's Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Annecy on 6 June 1610. The order of the Salesians of Don Bosco (s.d.b.), founded by St John Bosco in 1859 (approved by the Holy See in 1874), is named after him, as are the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (o.s.f.s.), founded by Louis Brisson, and the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, founded by Peter Mermier in 1830. The Paulist Fathers also count him as one of their patrons. The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, a Society of Traditional Priests who celebrate the Latin Mass also has St. Francis De Sales as one of their three primary Patrons. The Institute promotes Salesian spirituality heavily, using the Saint's writings to instruct both their Seminarians and lay faithful. As St. Francis is often depicted in art wearing blue Choir Dress, the approved Choir Dress for members of the Institute is also blue. One of the largest Apostolates of the Institute in the United States is the Oratory of St. Francis De Sales in St. Louis, Missouri. The island St. François is named in honor of Francis de Sales. DeSales University, located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, (formerly Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales), is named for St. Francis de Sales. It is a Catholic liberal arts college administered by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal, medal 1867Salesianum School, an all boys private school in Wilmington, Delaware, which is named after him, is also run by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Also named in his honor, Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1876. Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut is also named after St Francis de Sales. Saint Francis de Sales is recognized as an exemplary in the Church of England, where his memoria is also observed on January 24, and in the Church in Wales, when his memorial is moved to January 23, due to a conflict with St Cadoc. [edit] See alsoSavoy [edit] References1.^ Mary's Immaculate Heart by John F. Murphy 2007 ISBN 1406734098 page 24 2.^ John J. Crawley. "St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church". Lives of Saints. EWTN. www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/DESALES.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-14. 3.^ "Calendarium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 1969), p. 115 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). "St. Francis de Sales". Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. [edit] BooksIntroduction to the Devout Life (Translated and Edited by John K. Ryan), Doubleday, 1972. ISBN 978-0-385-03009-0 Introduction to the Devout Life, TAN Books, 2010. ISBN 978-0895552280 Set Your Heart Free (Edited by John Kirvan), Ave Maria Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-59471-153-4 The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales on Our Lady, TAN Books, 1985. ISBN 978-0895552594 Sermons of St. Francis de Sales For Lent, TAN Books, 2009. ISBN 978-0895552600 [edit] External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Francis de Sales Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Francis de Sales "St. Francis de Sales". Catholic Encyclopedia. 1913. International Commission on Salesian Studies All about St. Francis de Sales worldwide Founder Statue in St Peter's Basilica Francis de Sales bio at Catholic.org [edit] WorksIntroduction to the Devout Life Christian Classics Ethereal Library Introduction to the Devout Life Internet Archive Set Your Heart Free Readings from De Sales Spiritual Conferences. The Catholic Controversy. Treatise on the Love of God. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_de_Sales