austraLasia 1394
Preparing for Francis de Sales - one or two unusual contexts to think about
ROME: 17th January 2006 -- It is just a week away from a Feast which is itself just a week away from another Feast, both intimately linked by the title Salesians of St. John Bosco. What are you doing to prepare for the Feast of St. Francis de Sales? Are there any resources you might look for to help? Some of what you will find below may help, and the rest, well, Francis de Sales, too, was a little playful at times!
The Liturgy texts, other than in the official printed version of Masses for the Society of St. Francis de Sales which should be in all communities, can be downloaded from www.sdb.org. From Bosconet, on the other hand, you can download a 16 page brief biography of the Saint which is useful reading to brush up on a few facts - and you could go to any of the Catholic online encyclopedia's, indeed, even Wikipedia, to get the basic facts. An excellent 10 page outline of his role as patron of journalists can be downloaded at www4.desales.edu/SCFC/Studies/Winklehner.pdf
You were aware, of course, that Francis de Sales is patron Saint of journalists, so no surprise to learn that the rewritten handbook for Social Communications in the Province, entitled Salesian, Communicator (draft copies have been in the hands of the Delegate in all English-speaking Provinces for a month or more), encourages communities to do something special to mark the 'communications' aspect of this Feast day. One suggestion is to invite local media people, Catholic or otherwise, to the community for an informal get-together. John Paul II always chose this day to release his World Communications Day theme. Any one of the 30 or more themes could offer interesting reflections for the community. Benedict XVI may not adhere to that day, but his first address, last April, other than Urbi et Orbis and later to the Cardinals, was to media people, essentially to thank them for the coverage of the events of JP's death and his own election.
One more item that may help on 24th itself. Expect an informative and useful letter from the Social Communication Councillor, Fr Tarcisio Scaramussa.
Now a few scattered items to put Francis in context. It's a little quiz (with answers)! Francis was named Francis Bonaventure, so perhaps he should have been a Franciscan! Francis de Sales was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. They were both writers, and both 'best-sellers'. In addition to two hot-selling books, Francis also purportedly wrote 20,000 letters during his life time, 2,000 of which are extant. They are gems in polished French. Pope Pius XI proclaimed Francis de Sales patron of journalists on 26th January 1923 - two days after we celebrate his feast day. Odd? No. At that time his feast was celebrated on 29th January. Who else is Francis De Sales patron of? The deaf and hearing challenged. When he was staying in Roche, France, for a short time, a deaf-mute came begging. His name was Martin. Francis felt moved by his situation, devised a series of signs with his hands and taught Martin the basics of his faith so he could receive communion and be confirmed. He later employed Martin as a gardener at Annecy. Martin survived him, and there was almost nobody more devoted to the good Bishop than his gardener.
Do you know when Francis took his first 'step' towards priesthood? He received the tonsure when he was nine - his father thought nothing of it and was shocked years later when Francis told him he would be ordained. He went to University at age 14 (Paris) and was a Doctor of Law by 24.
One last small contextual item - his feast falls on the 7th day in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Coincidence that one, but not out of place, for sure.
VOCABULARY
purportedly: thought to be so - not proven
extant: in existence
______________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
Preparing for Francis de Sales - one or two unusual contexts to think about
ROME: 17th January 2006 -- It is just a week away from a Feast which is itself just a week away from another Feast, both intimately linked by the title Salesians of St. John Bosco. What are you doing to prepare for the Feast of St. Francis de Sales? Are there any resources you might look for to help? Some of what you will find below may help, and the rest, well, Francis de Sales, too, was a little playful at times!
The Liturgy texts, other than in the official printed version of Masses for the Society of St. Francis de Sales which should be in all communities, can be downloaded from www.sdb.org. From Bosconet, on the other hand, you can download a 16 page brief biography of the Saint which is useful reading to brush up on a few facts - and you could go to any of the Catholic online encyclopedia's, indeed, even Wikipedia, to get the basic facts. An excellent 10 page outline of his role as patron of journalists can be downloaded at www4.desales.edu/SCFC/Studies/Winklehner.pdf
You were aware, of course, that Francis de Sales is patron Saint of journalists, so no surprise to learn that the rewritten handbook for Social Communications in the Province, entitled Salesian, Communicator (draft copies have been in the hands of the Delegate in all English-speaking Provinces for a month or more), encourages communities to do something special to mark the 'communications' aspect of this Feast day. One suggestion is to invite local media people, Catholic or otherwise, to the community for an informal get-together. John Paul II always chose this day to release his World Communications Day theme. Any one of the 30 or more themes could offer interesting reflections for the community. Benedict XVI may not adhere to that day, but his first address, last April, other than Urbi et Orbis and later to the Cardinals, was to media people, essentially to thank them for the coverage of the events of JP's death and his own election.
One more item that may help on 24th itself. Expect an informative and useful letter from the Social Communication Councillor, Fr Tarcisio Scaramussa.
Now a few scattered items to put Francis in context. It's a little quiz (with answers)! Francis was named Francis Bonaventure, so perhaps he should have been a Franciscan! Francis de Sales was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. They were both writers, and both 'best-sellers'. In addition to two hot-selling books, Francis also purportedly wrote 20,000 letters during his life time, 2,000 of which are extant. They are gems in polished French. Pope Pius XI proclaimed Francis de Sales patron of journalists on 26th January 1923 - two days after we celebrate his feast day. Odd? No. At that time his feast was celebrated on 29th January. Who else is Francis De Sales patron of? The deaf and hearing challenged. When he was staying in Roche, France, for a short time, a deaf-mute came begging. His name was Martin. Francis felt moved by his situation, devised a series of signs with his hands and taught Martin the basics of his faith so he could receive communion and be confirmed. He later employed Martin as a gardener at Annecy. Martin survived him, and there was almost nobody more devoted to the good Bishop than his gardener.
Do you know when Francis took his first 'step' towards priesthood? He received the tonsure when he was nine - his father thought nothing of it and was shocked years later when Francis told him he would be ordained. He went to University at age 14 (Paris) and was a Doctor of Law by 24.
One last small contextual item - his feast falls on the 7th day in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Coincidence that one, but not out of place, for sure.
VOCABULARY
purportedly: thought to be so - not proven
extant: in existence
______________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
