Offering “the first-fruits“ when rising in the morning with St Francis de Sales and St John Cassian
“One who fears the Lord will accept his discipline; those who get up early will win his favour.“ Ecclesiasticus 31: 14 “Thou…
Saint Francis de Sales
Revisiting St Francis de Sales – advice on how to relax
“(True devotion) embraces and discovers meaning in the little things: food and dress, work and relaxation, love and parenthood (…).“ Totum Amoris…
Revisiting St Francis de Sales – advice on how to do our work
Just recently the Holy Father published the apostolic letter Totum Amoris est, and it‘s about a saint whose feast day was celebrated…
Saint Francis de Sales on Holy Communion
“Our Blessed Lord has instituted the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, wherein is His Flesh and His Blood, that whosoever eats…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on spiritual dryness, sadness, and gentleness towards ourselves
The days are ever the same, though no two of them are alike, and they grow long: Under grey skies we approach…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on “external mortification“
The renovation of our hearts “I cannot approve of those who in reforming a man would begin with external things – his…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on prayer
With Lent being a season of penitential and intensified prayer, let us prepare ourselves for it with the words of Sacred Scripture…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on obedience, chastity, poverty
I have just started to get my kitchen ready for Lent. I put all the things that for seven weeks will soon…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – advice on how to dress
Really? There are saints who counsel us on our wardrobe and appearance? Indeed there are. The Catholic religion is so healthily down-to-earth.…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on conversation and speech
It is another grey and rainy Monday during those seemingly endless months of winter in Berlin. The cold weather one endures here…