PRAYER
What are the effects of meditation on the one who prays?
Meditation produces devout movements of the will and of the affective part of the soul, desire for heaven and glory, zeal for the salvation of souls, imitation of the life of our Lord, compassion, awe, joy, fear of God’s displeasure, judgment, and hell, hatred of sin, confidence in God’s goodness and mercy, and deep sorrow for the sins of our past life.
When is St. Francis De Sales' birthday?
August 21, 1567
Mortal sins are contrary to ____________ as venial sins are to devotion.
Charity
The two means by which we are united to God?
Prayer and the Sacraments
For whom did he write the Introduction to the Devout Life and why?
For everyone, but especially for people in the world (lay people). He wrote it because he believed that all people, not just those in religious orders, are called to the devout life.
What devout practices does he recommend in addition to mental prayer?
a morning exercise, ejaculatory prayers throughout the day, physical and mental retreats, an evening exercise and an examination of conscience, good thoughts, daily Mass, frequent Confession, frequent Communion, periodic general confessions (when one confesses the sins of his whole life), public and communal exercises, joining local confraternities and the like, and prayers to our guardian angels, the saints, and Our Lady.
What offices did St. Francis de Sales exercise in the Church?
Priest and Bishop (Doctor of the Church)
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a state of mental anguish that comes from an inordinate desire to free one’s self from some evil or obtain a hoped for good.
What are the virtues that perfect us with regard to God and neighbor?
Humility perfects us with regards to God, and meekness with regards to neighbor.
When is our love for God called devotion?
Our spiritual life can be called devotion when it has reached a degree of perfection at which we not only do good, but also do it carefully, frequently, and promptly.
How can we determine if consolations are from God or from a different source?
We can distinguish that the consolations we receive are coming from God by their fruits.
If they make us better, they are from God.
If they make us be more self-centered and selfish, they are not from God.
What are the qualities of a good spiritual director?
charity, knowledge, and prudence; if any of these is lacking, there is danger in having that man as a spiritual director.
The malice of sin depends on the ____________ and counsel of the __________.
intention, heart
What are the two forms of Divine Love? How are they distinguished from one another?
The two forms of Divine Love are Grace and Charity. Grace is Divine Love given to the adornment of the soul. Charity is Divine Love given to lead the soul to love of neighbor
Why does true devotion does not detract from your vocation?
because “both prayer and your duties are in conformity with God’s will”
What are the steps for meditation? Which is the more critical?
1. Recollection and realize that we are in the presence of God and that we are speaking to God.
2. Meditation
3. Affections and resolutions
4. Three acts: thanksgiving, offering, supplication
5. Pray (for church, family, friends through Our Lady, end with Our Father, Hail Mary...)
How is St. Joseph a model of the virtue contrary to rash judgment (justice)?
Our Lady was with Child and St. Joseph clearly saw this fact. On the other hand, he saw that she was all holy, all pure, all angelic, and he could never believe that she had conceived in an unlawful manner. Hence he resolved to leave her and leave judgment on her case to God.
The three stages of temptation?
1. the Suggestion
2. (the affection) Pleasure or Disgust at the suggestion
3. (the response) Consent to or Rejection of the temptation.
Explain how marriage is, “‘honorable to all’ persons, in all persons, and in all things, this is, in all its parts.
St. Francis says that marriage is honorable to all because all must honor it with humility. It is honorable in all because it is honorable in both the rich and the poor. It is honorable in all its parts because its origin, purpose, advantages, forms, and matter are all holy.
What is mental prayer (or prayer in general)?
a conversation with God.
The characteristics of a truly wise man.
The characteristics of a truly wise man are humility, modesty, and obedience.
Why is anxiety dangerous to one trying to live a devout life?
It leaves the heart inwardly troubled and disturbed, unable to maintain the strength it needs to practice the virtues it has acquired, and to resist temptations. It tends to increase evil and prevent us from obtaining the good we hope for.
Explain the difference between a fond love and a true friendship.
In general, fond loves are relationships and friendships based on the fulfillment of selfish desires or the exchange of pleasures; true friendships are based on loves and goals that are virtuous or at least not sinful, exchange of true goods (intellectual, spiritual, etc.), virtues, and mutual encouragement in that which is good and noble.