Emptying self to follow Jesus Christ

The Bond of Perfection

Group 2: Fr. Dave, Fr. Tres, Fr. Tai, Duoc

What struck you:

·      The nature of Salesian Spirituality

o      pastoral

o      gentle

o      feminine

o      mercy not condemnation

o      deep interest in all that is human, especially in affection

o      openness to God, to others

o      devout prayer life

o      Relational

o      Not structured, flexible

o      More of the heart, then the head (Ignatian)

·      “Live Jesus!”

·      The Consistency that Christians should live, by always keeping in mind, heart and actions the Life,  Death and Resurrection of Christ

·      Salesian Spirituality begins from your own heart and not outside

·      Themes

·      Salesian Spirituality is not a desert experience in which the spiritual experience begins by calling one out of the world (p. 54).

·      Francis has vast expertise and charism

• active bishop
• writer
• advocate of lay vocation
• preacher
• preacher to the code
• reformer

·      “The great method of prayer is to have no method at all” (p. 51)

What was new for you: Francis and Jane (To become Christ for others)

• Take Jesus name
• Our actions should be His actions
• Former understanding that Salesian Spirituality was only from Francis, but that of both Francis and Jane

What was confirmed for you:

In order to follow Jesus Christ one must empty oneself (page 10). This process in Christian life is called ascetic life

• Sacrament of Baptism
• Paul to Galatians, “ I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Building a good relationship takes time. In the Salesian Direction, the point is not to instruct but to appeal to the whole person” (page 59):  

• mind 
• body 
• emotion

Submitted by Duoc Van Le
Photo by Joe Boenzi: Stain glass at Francis de Sales Retreat House, Umori Meghalia (29 July 2009)