St. Francis defined love as a choice of the will.
“The pleasure and the movement of the will towards kind things is properly speaking, Love.”
We learn to choose love - in part through reception of the Eucharist.
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, the church recognizes the gift that unites us with God and with each other.
”You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves."
“Within the practices of religion, the Blessed Sacrament is what the Sun is to the stars; it is truly the soul of the Christian religion. It is the ineffable mystery that comprehends divine charity, by which God, truly uniting to us, communicates to us his magnificence, graces and favors.”
”I often speak with my Teacher, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, because I can learn from Him. Jesus is the Teacher of the science of holiness. I go to Him because I would like to learn from Him how to become a saint. Of what use to me is all knowledge and education, if I do not become holy?"
"When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence."
St. Francis worked with and influenced others who became saints.
He and St. Jane de Chantal founded the Order of the Visitation, sisters who served as teachers or nurses. He chose the name in honor of the humility and love Mary showed by attending to her cousin Elizabeth.
Later, prior to the 20th century, St. John Bosco founded a religious congregation inspired by the teachings of St. Francis de Sales. St. John recognized people’s potential and strove to evoke their innate holiness working with young men which society judged to be beyond help.
We can grow in love and should not be discouraged when we find it challenging.
For St. Francis wrote, “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew.”
- How does your participation in the sacraments enrich you?
- How do you personally demonstrate your love of God with your whole heart, soul, strength, and mind?
- How does your love of God impact how you love others?
- How do others inspire you to be your best self?
By Laura Ross
Faith Formation Commission
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