Happy Feast Day of Saint Francis de Sales!

by | Jan 24, 2023 | a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Celebration!, Events / Calendar, Francis de Sales, Messages of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Salesian News, Salesian Saints

We join with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, as part of the Salesian Family of St. John Bosco, in honoring our mutual Patron Saint! Enjoy reading the Letter of Pope Francis on this gentle yet strong holy man. Dear Friends, The Oblates of St. Francis of de Sales in the United States join with all of our Salesian family in celebrating the feast of our patron, the Gentleman Saint. Celebrating the Feast Day is particularly special this year as we bring to a close our Double Salesian Jubilee Year marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis de Sales and the 450th anniversary of the birth of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. The highlight of the Year was Pope Francis issuing an Apostolic Letter on Saint Francis de Sales. In Totum Amoris Est (“Everything Pertains To Love”), the Pope summarizes the spiritual legacy left to us by Saint Francis de Sales. The Letter includes many of Saint Francis’ teachings and reminds us that these are as relevant today as they were 400 years ago. As a friend of the Oblates, you already know the power and impact of Salesian Spirituality. Through your friendship and support, the Oblates have the humble privilege...

As ‘Salesian Year’ 2022 ends: awaiting Pope’s Letter on St. Francis de Sales

by | Dec 26, 2022 | a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Francis de Sales, Messages of the Holy Father

As ‘Salesian Year’ 2022 ends: awaiting Pope’s Letter East Asia – Oceania Region, 26 December 2022 — In November, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis is preparing to release an Apostolic Letter on 28 December on Saint Francis de Sales to celebrate the 400th anniversary of his death. The apostolic letter also comes one hundred years after Pope Pius XI proclaimed Saint Francis de Sales as the “Patron Saint of Journalists, Editors and Writers.” Looking back on the ‘Salesian Year’ 2022 we cannot but be very grateful for many fruits harvested during past 12 months: In some EAO provinces the confreres have been receiving short quotes of St Francis de Sales daily (365 times, e.g. Korea), while in other provinces regular conferences – talks online were provided (e.g. Philippines-North Malaysia)- Elsewhere, new publications of St Francis de Sales or about our ‘Salesian Saint’ reached the Catholic community (e.g. China province) and many others. Also the fruits of the 2022 EAO Salesian Family Spirituality Days (13-16 January 2022) held online, is now completely available on the SF-EAO English YouTube channel, with 6 LIVE-streamed sessions (World level at Valdocco) and 23 single videos produced by different EAO Salesian Family groups and most of the...

In exceptional Angelus address, Pope begs Putin to end the war

by | Oct 3, 2022 | a current event, Messages of the Holy Father

Antoine Mekary | ALETEIA Published on 10/02/22 “What is to happen next? … In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire.” Each week from the window of his study, the Pope offers a reflection on the Gospel reading from the Sunday Mass and then leads the faithful in praying the midday Angelus. But this October 2, Pope Francis did something quite different: he made an earnest and passionate appeal for the end of the war in Ukraine. While the Pope expressed his sadness at the “rivers of blood and tears spilled in these months,” he also asked a pressing question: And what about the fact that humanity is once again faced with the atomic threat? It is absurd. Here is a Vatican translation of what the Pope said. This appeal joins with more than 80 other appeals the Pope has made for an end to the war, although this appeal is unique both in the format and in directly addressing Putin. ~ Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno! The course of the war in Ukraine has become so serious, devastating, and threatening,...

Make room for the Word through silence

by | Dec 17, 2021 | Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Catechesis, Messages of the Holy Father, St. Joseph, The Holy Family

In his catechesis at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on St Joseph’s silence in the Gospel. By Christopher Wells “St Joseph with his silence invites us to make room for the Presence of the Word made flesh, for Jesus,” Pope Francis said at the weekly General Audience. Silence full of listening However, the Pope continued, “Joseph’s silence is not muteness,” but is instead “a silence full of listening, an industrious silence, a silence that bring out his great interiority.” Quoting St John of the Cross, the Holy Father explained that God the Father spoke the Word, His Son, in eternal silence “and in silence it must be heard by the soul.” In his earthly life, Jesus, too, had this experience of silence, “with the daily example of Mary and Joseph.” Pope Francis noted that “He Himself sought spaces of silence… and invited His disciples to have such an experience” as well. READ ALSO The contemplative dimension of life The Holy Father emphasized the importance of following St Joseph’s example “in recovering this contemplative dimension of life opened wide by silence,” but noted that it is not easy. Silence, he said, can be frightening, because “it asks us to...