Oblate Salesian Spirituality and Resources

Salesian spirituality, the spiritual tradition of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal, is the core of the lives of Oblates.  Learn more about the spirituality that Oblates both live and share as they strive to "live each day well."

Francis de Sales lived from 1567-1622.  He introduced the world to a new perspective on our relationship with God through numerous writings in letters of spiritual direction and in published works.  Francis was a Christian Humanist.  He knew and believed that God has created us and that God is pleased with us, "being who we are and being that well."  Salesian Spirituality refers to the spiritual tradition of St. Francis de Sales

He was influenced and inspired by Ignatian Christian Humanism having been instructed and spiritually directed by the Jesuits.  Francis is best known for his promotion of what Vatican II later called the "universal call to holiness," saying that all people, regardless of one's state in life, has a vocation.  The Introduction to the Devout Life is one of the most popular of Francis' writings and gives the reader practical instruction for following Francis' unique way of relating to God and neighbor.  His masterpiece is entitled The Treatise on the Love of God. 

Francis' de Sales Christology is grounded in the theology of Blessed John Duns Scotus.  Duns Scotus proposed and wrote about the idea that even if humanity had not fallen into sin, that Christ still would have come.  In this model, Christ comes as one who loves and wants to share an intimate relationship with each human person.  God becomes what he loves.

Salesian devotions include the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, Our Lady of Light. 

Spirituality Resources

Salesian Center for Faith & Culture - online courses and research through De Sales University, in Center Valley, Pennsylvania.

De Sales Resources and Ministries - sponsors the Annual Joseph Power, OSFS, Salesian Spirituality Conference, offers parish missions and other preaching events, offers a Salesian bookstore, and much more.

International Commission on Salesian Studies

Dr. Wendy M. Wright, professor of Theology at Creighton University, and Salesian scholar.

Sacred Space - Irish Jesuit site providing daily prayer and reflections in the Christian Humanism tradition.

Spiritual Directors International - an organization providing a network of spiritual directors and support to those who are currently directors or who are seeking spiritual direction.

For Reflection and Study

The following articles and reflections are written to introduce you to the Spirituality of Francis de Sales, known as Salesian Spirituality, and to articles which pick up on themes of Salesian Spirituality.  Click on the title of the article to link to the text. 

N.B. - These texts that follow are the property of the authors cited and being published on this site with the authors' permission.  You must request permission before using these texts for any reason.  Please e-mail the webmaster to obtain permission.

Sacramentum Caritatis - the Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Most Holy Eucharist - Benedict XVI

- reflections of Pope Benedict XVI on the sacrament of the Eucharist as the Sacrament of Charity. 

"The Life-Long Banquet of God's Grace - Insights on the Eucharist from Saint Francis de Sales" - Joel Giallanza, CSC

The article has been reproduced with permission of Emmanuel Publishing from the March/April 2004 issue of Emmanuel, 5384 Wilson Mills Rd., Cleveland, Ohio  44143 + (440) 449-2103

Discernment in the Salesian Tradition - Kenneth McKenna, OSFS

- essay in a conversational letter format on the rich tradition of discerning the will of God in the tradition of St. Francis de Sales. 
 

Human Encounter - James Cryan, OSFS

- lecture delivered at the annual Joseph Power Salesian Conference; made possible in part by the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture, De Sales University and the De Sales Resources and Ministries.

The Choice in Choosing Jesus - Michael Newman, OSFS

- essay written at De Sales University, Center Valley, PA, in the Salesian Studies essay contest.