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Sermons of St. Francis de Sales: For Lent
Twelve sermons on key aspects of the Christian life given during Lent, 1622--fasting, how to resist temptation, the danger of losing one's soul, living faith vs. dead or dying faith, Christian attitude toward death, proper conduct in illness, God\'s special providence toward those living a spiritual life, the hidden meanings of Our Lord's Passion, eternal happiness, mutual charity, etc. Impr. 230 pgs, PB
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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144 people want to read
About the author
Francis de Sales
725 books238 followersFrancis de Sales, C.O., T.O.M., A.O.F.M. Cap. (French: François de Sales; Italian: Francesco di Sales) was a Bishop of Geneva and is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. His father sent him to a good school when he was young, and he received spiritual formation from the Jesuits. After a disturbing spiritual fear of being condemned, he eventually resolved his problem and decided to dedicate his life to God in 1587. He became a doctor of law at the age of 24 at the Jesuit College of Clermont, Paris, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Claude de Granier and stationed in Geneva in 1593. He became bishop of Geneva in 1602.
Francis de Sales is the author of various collections of sermons on Mary, Lent, prayer and Christmastide. He was known as a spiritually understanding man as well as a friend of the poor. Though known for his great intellect and theological wisdom, he spoke with simplicity and earnestness, so that all could understand. An Introduction to the Devout Life, his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. His feast is celebrated on January 24.
Francis de Sales is the author of various collections of sermons on Mary, Lent, prayer and Christmastide. He was known as a spiritually understanding man as well as a friend of the poor. Though known for his great intellect and theological wisdom, he spoke with simplicity and earnestness, so that all could understand. An Introduction to the Devout Life, his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. His feast is celebrated on January 24.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 4, 2021
Oh St. Francis how you speak to my heart. May I continue to meditate on your words to further grow in my spiritual life.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
February 19, 2017
Over the last few years I have been reading more and more by and about St. Francis de Sales. This volume the third in this series of collected sermons focuses on Lend. These specific sermons in this collection were given in the year 1622. This series was originally published in 1987 and the eBook editions were released in 2015.
The topics for these specific sermons are:
1. Fasting
2. Temptation
3. Faith
4. Eternal Happiness
5. Election and Reprobation
6. Mutual Charity
7. Proper Conduct in Illness
8. God's Spiritual Providence
9. Proper Fear of Death
10. Hearing the Word of God
11. Humility and Obedience
12. The Passion of our Lord and What It Means
These sermons were compiled from the Saints working notes, tests. And this collection highlights the Saints dedication as a Bishop to preach. We see his preaching style, and the sound presentation of theological truths. As a Bishop St. Francis de Sales preached 20 series over lent, and those in this collection were given to cloistered religious. But any reader today will see their value and how applicable they are to the life of any Christian. And this collection was taken from and translated from the Annecy edition of his sermons volume X.
In the introduction Rev. John A. Abruzzese, S.T.D. states: "The Lenten sermons which follow, translated by the Visitation Sisters and edited by Fr. Lewis Fiorelli, O.S.F.S., were obviously meant to be heard, not read. Therefore, a great part of St. Francis' "heart to heart" preaching which made them so effective is undeniably and regrettably lacking. However, the fact that these sermons result from the loving efforts of persons intimately living St. Francis de Sales' spirit, as his spiritual sons and daughters, can be perceived as something issuing from his own heart. If it were not for their labor of love, very few indeed would have even this opportunity of experiencing the personal charism of the saint." SO I took his words to heard and worked through this book twice. The first time I read through the book. The second time I used text to speech in the Kindle application to listen to the sermons. When reading the sermons there was an immediate impact, but when I took time and listened to the same sermon, I found it even more impactful. A few of the sermons I went back and listened to a second time after about a week because of the impact it had on me.
A few quotes from the sermon on Fasting as samples of some of what you will encounter in this book.
"To treat of fasting and of what is required to fast well, we must, at the start, understand that of itself fasting is not a virtue. The good and the bad, as well as Christians and pagans, observe it. The ancient philosophers observed it and recommended it. They were not virtuous for that reason, nor did they practice virtue in fasting. Oh, no, fasting is a virtue only when it is accompanied by conditions which render it pleasing to God. Thus it happens that it profits some and not others, because it is not undertaken by all in the same manner."
"The first condition is that we must fast with our whole heart, that is to say, willingly, whole-heartedly, universally and entirely."
"It is thus reasonable that, in order to make our fast complete and meritorious, it should be universal, that is to say, practiced in both body and spirit. This is the first condition to be observed in order to fast well. The second condition is never to fast through vanity but always through humility."
This book was a wonderful read. It challenged me personally and I know it will do the same for you. I am thankful for having read and to be slowly applying the lessons from this Saint and Doctor of the church. And I look forward to the other three volumes in this series. I highly recommend this book and the series of 4.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by and about St. Francis de Sales.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
The topics for these specific sermons are:
1. Fasting
2. Temptation
3. Faith
4. Eternal Happiness
5. Election and Reprobation
6. Mutual Charity
7. Proper Conduct in Illness
8. God's Spiritual Providence
9. Proper Fear of Death
10. Hearing the Word of God
11. Humility and Obedience
12. The Passion of our Lord and What It Means
These sermons were compiled from the Saints working notes, tests. And this collection highlights the Saints dedication as a Bishop to preach. We see his preaching style, and the sound presentation of theological truths. As a Bishop St. Francis de Sales preached 20 series over lent, and those in this collection were given to cloistered religious. But any reader today will see their value and how applicable they are to the life of any Christian. And this collection was taken from and translated from the Annecy edition of his sermons volume X.
In the introduction Rev. John A. Abruzzese, S.T.D. states: "The Lenten sermons which follow, translated by the Visitation Sisters and edited by Fr. Lewis Fiorelli, O.S.F.S., were obviously meant to be heard, not read. Therefore, a great part of St. Francis' "heart to heart" preaching which made them so effective is undeniably and regrettably lacking. However, the fact that these sermons result from the loving efforts of persons intimately living St. Francis de Sales' spirit, as his spiritual sons and daughters, can be perceived as something issuing from his own heart. If it were not for their labor of love, very few indeed would have even this opportunity of experiencing the personal charism of the saint." SO I took his words to heard and worked through this book twice. The first time I read through the book. The second time I used text to speech in the Kindle application to listen to the sermons. When reading the sermons there was an immediate impact, but when I took time and listened to the same sermon, I found it even more impactful. A few of the sermons I went back and listened to a second time after about a week because of the impact it had on me.
A few quotes from the sermon on Fasting as samples of some of what you will encounter in this book.
"To treat of fasting and of what is required to fast well, we must, at the start, understand that of itself fasting is not a virtue. The good and the bad, as well as Christians and pagans, observe it. The ancient philosophers observed it and recommended it. They were not virtuous for that reason, nor did they practice virtue in fasting. Oh, no, fasting is a virtue only when it is accompanied by conditions which render it pleasing to God. Thus it happens that it profits some and not others, because it is not undertaken by all in the same manner."
"The first condition is that we must fast with our whole heart, that is to say, willingly, whole-heartedly, universally and entirely."
"It is thus reasonable that, in order to make our fast complete and meritorious, it should be universal, that is to say, practiced in both body and spirit. This is the first condition to be observed in order to fast well. The second condition is never to fast through vanity but always through humility."
This book was a wonderful read. It challenged me personally and I know it will do the same for you. I am thankful for having read and to be slowly applying the lessons from this Saint and Doctor of the church. And I look forward to the other three volumes in this series. I highly recommend this book and the series of 4.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by and about St. Francis de Sales.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
December 29, 2022
Over the last few years I have been reading more and more by and about St. Francis de Sales. This volume the third in this series of collected sermons focuses on Lend. These specific sermons in this collection were given in the year 1622. This series was originally published in 1987 and the eBook editions were released in 2015.
The topics for these specific sermons are:
1. Fasting
2. Temptation
3. Faith
4. Eternal Happiness
5. Election and Reprobation
6. Mutual Charity
7. Proper Conduct in Illness
8. God's Spiritual Providence
9. Proper Fear of Death
10. Hearing the Word of God
11. Humility and Obedience
12. The Passion of our Lord and What It Means
These sermons were compiled from the Saints working notes, tests. And this collection highlights the Saints dedication as a Bishop to preach. We see his preaching style, and the sound presentation of theological truths. As a Bishop St. Francis de Sales preached 20 series over lent, and those in this collection were given to cloistered religious. But any reader today will see their value and how applicable they are to the life of any Christian. And this collection was taken from and translated from the Annecy edition of his sermons volume X.
In the introduction Rev. John A. Abruzzese, S.T.D. states: "The Lenten sermons which follow, translated by the Visitation Sisters and edited by Fr. Lewis Fiorelli, O.S.F.S., were obviously meant to be heard, not read. Therefore, a great part of St. Francis' "heart to heart" preaching which made them so effective is undeniably and regrettably lacking. However, the fact that these sermons result from the loving efforts of persons intimately living St. Francis de Sales' spirit, as his spiritual sons and daughters, can be perceived as something issuing from his own heart. If it were not for their labor of love, very few indeed would have even this opportunity of experiencing the personal charism of the saint." SO I took his words to heard and worked through this book twice. The first time I read through the book. The second time I used text to speech in the Kindle application to listen to the sermons. When reading the sermons there was an immediate impact, but when I took time and listened to the same sermon, I found it even more impactful. A few of the sermons I went back and listened to a second time after about a week because of the impact it had on me.
A few quotes from the sermon on Fasting as samples of some of what you will encounter in this book.
"To treat of fasting and of what is required to fast well, we must, at the start, understand that of itself fasting is not a virtue. The good and the bad, as well as Christians and pagans, observe it. The ancient philosophers observed it and recommended it. They were not virtuous for that reason, nor did they practice virtue in fasting. Oh, no, fasting is a virtue only when it is accompanied by conditions which render it pleasing to God. Thus it happens that it profits some and not others, because it is not undertaken by all in the same manner."
"The first condition is that we must fast with our whole heart, that is to say, willingly, whole-heartedly, universally and entirely."
"It is thus reasonable that, in order to make our fast complete and meritorious, it should be universal, that is to say, practiced in both body and spirit. This is the first condition to be observed in order to fast well. The second condition is never to fast through vanity but always through humility."
This book was a wonderful read. It challenged me personally and I know it will do the same for you. I am thankful for having read and to be slowly applying the lessons from this Saint and Doctor of the church. And I look forward to the other three volumes in this series. I highly recommend this book and the series of 4.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by and about St. Francis de Sales.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
The topics for these specific sermons are:
1. Fasting
2. Temptation
3. Faith
4. Eternal Happiness
5. Election and Reprobation
6. Mutual Charity
7. Proper Conduct in Illness
8. God's Spiritual Providence
9. Proper Fear of Death
10. Hearing the Word of God
11. Humility and Obedience
12. The Passion of our Lord and What It Means
These sermons were compiled from the Saints working notes, tests. And this collection highlights the Saints dedication as a Bishop to preach. We see his preaching style, and the sound presentation of theological truths. As a Bishop St. Francis de Sales preached 20 series over lent, and those in this collection were given to cloistered religious. But any reader today will see their value and how applicable they are to the life of any Christian. And this collection was taken from and translated from the Annecy edition of his sermons volume X.
In the introduction Rev. John A. Abruzzese, S.T.D. states: "The Lenten sermons which follow, translated by the Visitation Sisters and edited by Fr. Lewis Fiorelli, O.S.F.S., were obviously meant to be heard, not read. Therefore, a great part of St. Francis' "heart to heart" preaching which made them so effective is undeniably and regrettably lacking. However, the fact that these sermons result from the loving efforts of persons intimately living St. Francis de Sales' spirit, as his spiritual sons and daughters, can be perceived as something issuing from his own heart. If it were not for their labor of love, very few indeed would have even this opportunity of experiencing the personal charism of the saint." SO I took his words to heard and worked through this book twice. The first time I read through the book. The second time I used text to speech in the Kindle application to listen to the sermons. When reading the sermons there was an immediate impact, but when I took time and listened to the same sermon, I found it even more impactful. A few of the sermons I went back and listened to a second time after about a week because of the impact it had on me.
A few quotes from the sermon on Fasting as samples of some of what you will encounter in this book.
"To treat of fasting and of what is required to fast well, we must, at the start, understand that of itself fasting is not a virtue. The good and the bad, as well as Christians and pagans, observe it. The ancient philosophers observed it and recommended it. They were not virtuous for that reason, nor did they practice virtue in fasting. Oh, no, fasting is a virtue only when it is accompanied by conditions which render it pleasing to God. Thus it happens that it profits some and not others, because it is not undertaken by all in the same manner."
"The first condition is that we must fast with our whole heart, that is to say, willingly, whole-heartedly, universally and entirely."
"It is thus reasonable that, in order to make our fast complete and meritorious, it should be universal, that is to say, practiced in both body and spirit. This is the first condition to be observed in order to fast well. The second condition is never to fast through vanity but always through humility."
This book was a wonderful read. It challenged me personally and I know it will do the same for you. I am thankful for having read and to be slowly applying the lessons from this Saint and Doctor of the church. And I look forward to the other three volumes in this series. I highly recommend this book and the series of 4.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by and about St. Francis de Sales.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
April 18, 2025
St Francis de Sales has been an unexpected friend over the past year. I have really enjoyed his presentation of the faith and loved his homilies! Highly recommend!
March 23, 2020
Saint Francis de Sales is an eloquent writer! He has such a calming disposition and can so clearly illustrate concepts that could be hard to grasp. This book is an excellent read! (Especially during Lent since it is a penitential season... in which we should be reflecting upon our fallen nature and how to grow in grace.... preparing for the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord.) It is actually a series of talks that he gave to the Nuns of the Visitation in 1622. The information is still completely relevant to all people... since we are all striving for the same end: Heaven.
The chapters include:
1. Fasting
2. Temptation
3. Faith
4. Eternal Happiness
5. Election and Reprobation
6. Mutual Charity
7. Proper Conduct in Illness
8. God's Spiritual Providence
9. Proper Fear of Death
10. Hearing the Word of God
11. Humility and Obedience
12. The Passion of Our Lord and What It Means
September 23, 2018
Fantastic sermons. Priests need to speak like this. Straight to the point, about truth and does not divert off topic.
Saint Francis De Sales - pray for us! Pray for priests!
Saint Francis De Sales - pray for us! Pray for priests!
April 7, 2023
Beautiful reflections from St Francis de Sales, as always. A perfect Lenten read.
March 31, 2024
This is difficult to rate. Obviously the content is 5-star, since it was written by a saint. :) And I do have to say that it's easy to read. But it's worth noting that these sermons were given to a group of nuns so some of the content is clearly directed to that audience (though of course a lot of it pertains to everyone). He covers topics like Fasting, Temptation, Charity, Proper Fear of Death, etc... and the last chapter is by far the longest and discusses the Passion. He talks about the two thieves who were crucified with Christ, and he compares them alongside St. Peter and Judas - it's very interesting! And he touches on each of the 7 last words.
March 27, 2018
This series of twelve sermons was preached by Saint Francis de Sales to the Visitation nuns in 1622. He gives them pastoral care and spiritual guidance that is both specific to them and of interest and value to Christians of every vocation, in any time.
Part of the value is his rhetorical skills. He typically focuses on one big topic, like faith or fasting, and narrows down to specific topics, often sets of three subtopics. He is well versed in Scriptures, in the classics, and the church fathers, drawing examples from each as suits his need. His language is clear and direct; his arguments are easy to follow. He is a fine writer.
The greatest value is his spiritual insights and advice. For example, he expands the idea of fasting beyond food to disciplining all the appetites including the senses' appetites and the intellect's appetite. He considers the pitfall of fasting to impress others or to (ironically enough) feed one's own ego. In another sermon he describes the proper way to be ill when he discusses the story of Jesus curing Peter's mother-in-law. Francis digs into the details of the story, pulling out great insights. She doesn't complain about her illness (which must be pretty bad if she is bedridden) and doesn't ask for a cure even though Jesus is in the house. She humbly accepts the burden and gratefully serves her guests when Jesus restores her to health.
The sermons cover a wide range of topics, from faith to fasting to charity to divine providence. His words give practical advice on how to listen to the Word of God and how to fear death in the proper way. The final sermon is from Good Friday and looks at Jesus on the cross. The faithful need to keep their eyes on the cross just as the Israelites kept their eyes on the brass serpent in Exodus in order to be saved from spiritual death. Francis goes through the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, providing thoughtful insights on each.
Each sermon is easy to read and takes less than twenty minutes, though they certainly give meditative insights that last much longer. This book may enter my regular Lenten reading. It is valuable in or out of the Lenten season.
Highly recommended.
Part of the value is his rhetorical skills. He typically focuses on one big topic, like faith or fasting, and narrows down to specific topics, often sets of three subtopics. He is well versed in Scriptures, in the classics, and the church fathers, drawing examples from each as suits his need. His language is clear and direct; his arguments are easy to follow. He is a fine writer.
The greatest value is his spiritual insights and advice. For example, he expands the idea of fasting beyond food to disciplining all the appetites including the senses' appetites and the intellect's appetite. He considers the pitfall of fasting to impress others or to (ironically enough) feed one's own ego. In another sermon he describes the proper way to be ill when he discusses the story of Jesus curing Peter's mother-in-law. Francis digs into the details of the story, pulling out great insights. She doesn't complain about her illness (which must be pretty bad if she is bedridden) and doesn't ask for a cure even though Jesus is in the house. She humbly accepts the burden and gratefully serves her guests when Jesus restores her to health.
The sermons cover a wide range of topics, from faith to fasting to charity to divine providence. His words give practical advice on how to listen to the Word of God and how to fear death in the proper way. The final sermon is from Good Friday and looks at Jesus on the cross. The faithful need to keep their eyes on the cross just as the Israelites kept their eyes on the brass serpent in Exodus in order to be saved from spiritual death. Francis goes through the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, providing thoughtful insights on each.
Each sermon is easy to read and takes less than twenty minutes, though they certainly give meditative insights that last much longer. This book may enter my regular Lenten reading. It is valuable in or out of the Lenten season.
Highly recommended.
April 21, 2025
These Sermons for Lent start on Ash Wednesday, include each Sunday of Lent, plus four Thursdays (which I read on Wednesdays) and a Good Friday sermon.
I noted several instances in which he tellsus, the summary or quintessence of "...Christian perfection consists in this point: to ask God for nothing and to refuse God nothing." aka "...perfect abandonment into the hands of the heavenly Father and ... perfect indifference in whatever is His divine will."
A favorite quote: "What a great pity that the desire for perfection is not itself sufficient for having it, but that it must be acquired by the sweat of our brow and hard work!"
I will have to pick up more of these "Sermons" books - especially the one for Advent - when I see them in TAN Books $5 sales.
I noted several instances in which he tellsus, the summary or quintessence of "...Christian perfection consists in this point: to ask God for nothing and to refuse God nothing." aka "...perfect abandonment into the hands of the heavenly Father and ... perfect indifference in whatever is His divine will."
A favorite quote: "What a great pity that the desire for perfection is not itself sufficient for having it, but that it must be acquired by the sweat of our brow and hard work!"
I will have to pick up more of these "Sermons" books - especially the one for Advent - when I see them in TAN Books $5 sales.
April 8, 2021
There is some degree of late medieval/early Renaissance dross to cut through, but there are some fundamental, powerful spiritual insights. Just as one would expect from de Sales, they are clear, well-attested, and practical. His Good Friday sermon is, fittingly, the best in the volume.
April 4, 2018
An excellent read for Lent. Makes you take focus on your life and have a better understanding
April 15, 2022
Fantastic sermons to reflect on during Lent
March 5, 2020
The first two chapters seemed as if the good Doctor was speaking right to me... perhaps even laughing at me a little bit. The call to have patience with oneself--and to not expect perfection three months after a firm resolution to begin--hit home.
The rest of the book was good. Not riveting, but good. They're transcripts of sermons, so they were meant to be heard, and I suspect that in the original format, they would have been more engaging.
I'm still glad to have read them, especially in the weeks leading up to the start of Lent. But I would not have picked this if it had been my first exposure to St. Francis de Sales.
The rest of the book was good. Not riveting, but good. They're transcripts of sermons, so they were meant to be heard, and I suspect that in the original format, they would have been more engaging.
I'm still glad to have read them, especially in the weeks leading up to the start of Lent. But I would not have picked this if it had been my first exposure to St. Francis de Sales.
May 28, 2014
I started reading this book for Lent and finally finished reading the Good Friday sermon right before the Feast of the Ascension! As in everything I've read by St. Francis de Sales, these sermons are applicable to every walk of life and could have (almost) been written yesterday, as the prose he uses is not over-flowery, long, or hard to understand. These sermons were, of course, meant to be heard not read, which takes a bit out of them, I think, but St. Francis de Sales remains one of my favorite saints, and I have been happy to have his advice over these weeks... even if I was a little late in finishing it.
April 18, 2014
This book has such amazing wisdom on each page.
April 19, 2014
It was wonderful to journey through lent with St Francis de Sales. So many wonderful thoughts for reflection and meditation.
April 22, 2024
Took me way longer than lent, but life happens. Amazing book with such good messages in each sermon! So glad I was recommended by a friend to read this book!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews