Gabriela Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Is the "Spiritual Directory" of St. Francis de Sales the "rule" by which Visitandines live, a la the Rules of Sts. Augustine, Benedict, Clare, Francis, etc.? I read somewhere that they follow the Rule of St. Augustine, somewhere else that they follow an adapted version of the Rule of St. Augustine, somewhere else that they don't have a "rule" proper but only "constitutions" (though I guess that's the same?)... I'm confused. Also, if you love St. Francis de Sales, please praise him publicly. I'm interested in knowing what it is that attracts people to him. Aside from his being, essentially, "the love doctor." ;-) And if you aren't keen on St. Francis de Sales, I'd like to hear why, too. Thanks, and Happy Epiphany! (I got the GREATEST Christmas gift from Jesus this year, on the very last day of Christmas! :-D) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthfinder Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Constitution and Rule are not the same - the constitutions are usually the interpretation of the Rule according to the charism of the community. Therefore, the Carmelites follow the Rule of St. Albert and have their own constitutions which interpret how the rule is to be lived daily. As to the Visitandines - New Advent seems to indicate that they follow the Rule of St. Augustine with adaptations. At one time there was a Visitandine nun who posted on here - hopefully she or someone else knowledgeable can further answer your question - because now I want to now too! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyAnn Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 The Church stopped accepting new Rules at some point - Clare and Francis just got in I believe. So many communities formed after that used the Rule of St. Augustine, with Constitutions to define their life more specifically. Even the Dominicans follow the Rule of St. Augustine. I have never read the Rule of St. Augustine, but I have been told it is very "general" which is why it is so widely used. As truthfinder said, a Constitution governs the aspects perhaps not explicitly stated in the Rule but of course in the spirit of the Rule. To again use the example of the Carmelite Rule of St. Albert, the Rule is actually very, very short. It says little about the daily life of the community. The Rules of life are also very old. Benedict's is 1500 years old. Clare's is 800. Adaptations sometimes need to be made, so that is also where Constitutions can come in. (I hope what I've said is helpful, and if I am wrong I hope someone will correct me.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil'Nun Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Thanks, and Happy Epiphany! (I got the GREATEST Christmas gift from Jesus this year, on the very last day of Christmas! :-D) Annnndd..... now we all so want to know what it is. Come on. Give! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Annnndd..... now we all so want to know what it is. Come on. Give! :) It was a gift to the heart, so very hard to explain. And very personal. But I had been told that God gives a Christmas gift to everyone every year, and I got exactly what I asked for, and all I'll ever need. :-) (And no, it wasn't a pony! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikita92 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have to say this...I bought a 1946 126 page hardcover book titled " The Devout life of St. Francis de Sales" at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store for 2.99$ I was thrilled!! (It kinda smells..but is in great condition) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Nikita, I think you may be looking at St. Francis de Sales masterpiece, "The Introduction to the Devout Life" which is a wonderful book! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 (edited) I like St Francis de Sales because his spirituality is in many ways a mirror of St Therese's Little Way, sans the super-sweetness. In fact I sort of think she lifted parts of it from him. French, - or French-ish - Saints in general are so wonderful. Edited January 8, 2013 by Lilllabettt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiara Francesco Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Definitely read St. Francis de Sales' "Treatise of the Love of God" and his Conferences he gave the Visitation nuns when he was alive if possible. Yes, the Visitation nuns DO follow the Rule of St. Augustine. St. Francis de Sales said his rule was "sweetness itself"! "The Directory" of St. Francis de Sales is just the way the Visitation nuns use to "direct" their day. I believe their Constitutions are something different. I thoroughly looked into the Visitation order for a long time and I have so many books on this order, St. Francis, St. Jane, St. Margaret Mary and other holy nuns I could open a book store! - these along with my Franciscan books and more! Also the "The Spirit of St. Francis de Sales" by Jean-Pierre Camus who was a friend of his a MUST read too! As are many other but too numerous to list here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 I like St Francis de Sales because his spirituality is in many ways a mirror of St Therese's Little Way, sans the super-sweetness. This is why I like him, too. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikita92 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Yes! The chapters are very simple and to the point. Make perfect sense. I'm thrilled to have it!! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Definitely read St. Francis de Sales' "Treatise of the Love of God" and his Conferences he gave the Visitation nuns when he was alive if possible. Yes, the Visitation nuns DO follow the Rule of St. Augustine. St. Francis de Sales said his rule was "sweetness itself"! "The Directory" of St. Francis de Sales is just the way the Visitation nuns use to "direct" their day. I believe their Constitutions are something different. I thoroughly looked into the Visitation order for a long time and I have so many books on this order, St. Francis, St. Jane, St. Margaret Mary and other holy nuns I could open a book store! - these along with my Franciscan books and more! Also the "The Spirit of St. Francis de Sales" by Jean-Pierre Camus who was a friend of his a MUST read too! As are many other but too numerous to list here. I have Treatise on the Love of God and Introduction to the Devout Life. As well as St. Augustine's Rule. Where can I find "The Directory" and the Constitutions? Are they online somewhere? I think I have the Directory, but I'm not sure. I know I don't have any Constitutions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiara Francesco Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 (edited) The Spiritual Directory you can buy (like here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Directory-St-Francis-Sales/dp/0819868612/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357754805&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=spiritual+directory+of+st.+frances+de+sales) but it IS changed/adapted somewhat for lay people so it is NOT the book a Visitation nun would receive in the Order. It is also cheaper on other sites and even Amazon at times. Online see - of course, the book was originally written for St. Francis' nuns so this version is modified to fit the Oblate Fathers, but probably only a small amount I'd imagine: http://www.oblates.us/about-oblates/spiritual-directory/ For a beautiful explanation of the Profession Cross the Visitation nuns and Oblate fathers wear see: http://www.oblates.us/about-oblates/profession-cross/ Edited January 9, 2013 by Chiara Francesco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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