Peayer #7 St. Francis Flashcards
When St. Francis de Sales was deeply troubled and sick, he said a special prayer and received an immediate healing. What prayer was that?
The Memorare
Explanation: The correct answer is “The Memorare”. While studying in Paris, Francis de Sales was overcome by a deep sense of despair and darkness. The devil was tempting him to give up on God. Francis could not eat; he lost weight and grew very ill. Finally, praying before a statue of the Blessed Mother and reciting the Memorare, Francis was instantly freed from his troubled state. From that moment on, he consecrated his life to Our Lady.
In the De Sales version of Jacob’s Ladder, the two parallel sides represent what?
Prayer and the Sacraments
Explanation: The correct answer is “Prayer and the Sacraments”. These are the two parallel sides of “Jacob’s Ladder” according to St. Francis de Sales - prayer and Sacraments. The saint writes, “The two sides, between which we ascend and in which the rungs are fixed, represent prayer, which calls down the love of God, and the sacraments, which confer it. The rungs are the various degrees of charity by which we advance from virtue to virtue, either descending by deeds to the help and support of our neighbor, or ascending contemplation to a union of love with God. Now look attentively, I beseech you, upon those who are on this ladder…They have wings to soar to God by holy prayer, but they have also feet to walk with men in a holy and edifying way of life.”
How can we more fully cultivate an awareness of God’s presence?
All of the above.
Explanation: The correct answer is “All of the above.” These are all mentioned in “Choosing Paradise” from Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
Virtue is strengthened by the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Which of these gifts is most discussed in the works of St. Francis de Sales?
Piety
Explanation: The correct answer is “Piety”. Doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales, wrote that everyone should seek to develop piety. He considered it a heresy for anyone to think their state of life would not allow time or the ability to develop devotion to God.
God gave us the faculties of memory, will, intellect, sight, speech and imagination for what purpose?
In order for us to know, love and serve Him.
Explanation: The correct answer is “In order for us to know, love and serve Him.” “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales: “God did not bring you into the world because He had any need of you, useless as you are; but solely that He might show forth His Goodness in you, giving you His Grace and Glory. And to this end He gave you understanding that you might know Him, memory that you might think of Him, a will that you might love Him, imagination that you might realize His mercies, sight that you might behold the marvels of His works, speech that you might praise Him, and so on with all your other faculties
St. Francis asks us to use a meditation on the choice between heaven and hell. In this imagine the saints are saying__________.
Press on boldly, dear friend.
Explanation: The correct answer is “Press on boldly, dear friend.” “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales: “Consider that Jesus Christ, enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation: ‘O beloved one, come unto Me, and joy for ever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!’ Behold His mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness - ‘Courage, my child, do not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation.’ Behold the Saints, who have left you their example, the millions of holy souls who long after you, desiring earnestly that you may one day be for ever joined to them in their song of praise, urging upon you that the road to Heaven is not so hard to find as the world would have you think. ‘Press on boldly, dear friend, they cry. ‘Who so will ponder well the path by which we came hither, will discover that we attained to these present delights by sweeter joys than any this world can give.’”
On seeing a hen gathering her chicks, which saint said, “Keep me, O Lord, under the shadow of Thy wings”?
St. Francis of Assisi
Explanation: The correct answer is “St. Francis of Assisi”. So St. Francis of Assisi, beholding a hen gathering her chickens beneath her wings, exclaimed, “Keep me, O Lord, under the shadow of Thy Wings.” And looking upon the sunflower, he ejaculated, “When, O Lord, will my soul follow the attractions of Thy Love?
When we are troubled by a vice, it is most helpful to work on what?
B. and c.
Explanation: The correct answer is “b. and c.” “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales: “When we are beset by any particular vice, it is well as far as possible to make the opposite virtue our special aim, and turn everything to that account; so doing, we shall overcome our enemy, and meanwhile make progress in all virtue. Thus, if I am beset with pride or anger, I must above all else strive to cultivate humility and gentleness, and I must turn all my religious exercises—prayer, sacraments, prudence, constancy, moderation, to the same object.” Also, Confession can be a part of the process of spiritual direction.
Short prayers that are said out loud throughout the day are called:
Ejaculations
Explanation: The correct answer is “Ejaculations” “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales: “Enkindle by every possible act your love for God, your tender, passionate desire for the Heavenly Bridegroom of souls. Such is ejaculatory prayer, as it was so earnestly inculcated by S. Augustine upon the devout; and be sure, my daughter, that if you seek such nearness and intimacy with God your whole soul will imbibe the perfume of His Perfections.”
In order to keep from error and avoid the snares of the devil, what does St. Francis recommend?
Seek out a Spiritual Director
Explanation: The correct answer is “Seek out a Spiritual Director”. St. Francis strongly recommends a spiritual director to help guide one to greater devotion: “In truth, your spiritual guide should always be as a heaven-sent angel to you — by which I mean that when you have found him, you are not to look upon him, or trust in him or his wisdom as an ordinary man; but you must look to God, Who will help you and speak to you through this man, putting into his heart and mouth that which is needful to you.”
