Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal: Letters of Spiritual Direction (Classics of Western Spirituality

The Classics of Western Spirituality

by Francis de Sales, Wendy M. Wright

"...a milestone in American religious publishing." New Catholic World Francis de Sales, Jane de Letters of Spiritual Direction translated by Peronne Marie Thibert, V.H.M. selected and introduced by Wendy M. Wright and Joseph F. Power, O.S.F.S. preface by Henri J.M. Nouwen "I know you have complete confidence in my affection; I have no doubt about this and delight in the thought. I want you to know and to believe that I have an intense and very special desire to serve you with all my strength. It would be impossible for me to explain either the quality or the goodness of this desire that I have to be at your service, but I can tell you that I believe it is from God, and for that reason, I cherish it and every day see it growing and increasing remarkably." Francis de Sales to Jane de Chantal Offered here in fresh translation are the letters of spiritual direction of two seventeenth century mystical writers, Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal. These letters show us the daily attempts of laity, clergy, cloistered religious, bishops, and obscure windows to live in the authentic spirit of Jesus, and will speak not only to the historian of the period, but to all contemporary readers. This collection is unique, since many of these letters, which are treasures of lived Salesian teaching, are translated for the first time into the English language. It is also the first time that the letters have been presented together, and that a scholarly and comprehensive introduction to the Salesian spiritual tradition, as embodied in the lives and writings of both Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal, has been attempted. †

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Spirituality, Christianity, Christian

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 1959

About the author

Francis 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.

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came across this on a google search for something else (don't ask! :) and the excerpt from one letter seemed as if the author jumped across 4 centuries to speak directly to my heart that very day. The day I came across it? 7/22/2010. The date it was written.... 7/22/1609

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

The introduction was almost as long as all of the letters, but it was very rich in helping me understand the teachings of St Francis de Sales and St Jane de Chantal. The letters were uplifting and worth the read. Much to chew on and to put into practice.

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful glimpse into the life and spiritual direction of two saints.

Francis de Sales had a very gentle manner of guiding souls, and focused on those who were “normal people” with families and worldly affairs. This makes his writings very accessible to those of us who aren’t clergy or cloistered. Even the advice given to the religious in these letters is easy to translate into our own lives centuries later.

The tenderness and affection seems over-the-top at first, but as I realized these are both saints, and there is not evidence of impurity between them, it opens up the vistas of how our relationships could look.

A worthwhile read to get to know both of these figures better and to benefit from their counsel.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not was I expected. I Houghton it was the letters that St Francis and St Jane wrote to each other; it's not. The first half of the letters are ones St Fransic wrote-a few of them to St Jane. The second half is letter she wrote-not one of them to St Francis.
I read the prolog, which was 33 pages long, and started to read the introduction, but skipped it when I saw that it went all the way to page 95!!! That is excessive. I doubt I really missed anything. I wish the book had consisted of their letters only. Part of the prolog was helpful, as it provided some background information on both saints, but even it was too long.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal exchanged letters commenting on theological concepts and practical questions about how to live an authentic Christian life. They are well worth the read.

See my other reviews here!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

my go to faith book. I love the writings and the state of mind this book delivers me to over and over again.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book confirmed my opinion that in terms of solid Christian spiritual teaching, there is very little new under the sun. These letters, written in the 1600s, are as relevant to those seeking to live a holy life today as they were then. Many of them sounded like talks I've had with priests or sisters. They made me want to get hold of the complete letters of both writers.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t lose any opportunity, however small, of being gentle toward everyone. Timeless wisdom worth reading multiple times from two busy, yet gentle saints. Let us all belong to God, my daughter, in the midst of so much busyness brought on by the diversity of worldly things.

[Catherine Corman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find your letter very well written, but, it seems to me, it contains too many expressions that lack simplicity.

-St. Jane Frances de Chantal (grandmother to Mme de Sévigné)

[Jungsook Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

나는 젊은 시절에 이 책을 너무 사랑했다. 이 책이 바로 결혼하고 열심히 살고자 하는 영혼을 위해서 쓰여진 책이라 다른 신심서보다 접근하기 쉬워서였는지도 모르겠다. 두번쯤 읽었던 것 같은데 한 번 더 읽어보려한다. 카톨릭으로서 열심해지고 싶은 이는 꼭 읽기 바란다.