No. 29 • August 2012

Founded in 1997 and published biannually by the International Commission for Salesian Studies (ICSS) of the Oblates of St.

Beatification of Fr. Louis Brisson on 22 September 2012

As reported in ICSS Newsletter , No. 27 (July 2011), on 19 December 2009, Benedict XVI, acting on the recommendation of the Congregation for the Causes of , declared that Fr. Louis Brisson (1817-1908), founder of the Oblates and Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, “practiced the of Faith, Hope, and Charity toward God and neighbor as well as the of Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude and related virtues to a heroic degree.” As necessary as miracles are for the cause for and to move forward, establishing the ’s heroic practice of the virtues can sometimes prove no less challenging. 1 With this threshold crossed, Fr. Brisson’s cause has moved forward in a timely fashion. Pope Benedict XVI’s authorization on 19 December 2011 of the promulgation of the decree affirming the validity of a miracle attributed to Fr. Brisson’s intercession cleared the way for his beatification. The miracle in question was the 1953 healing of an eight- Figure 1.1. The official logo for the beatification of Fr. Louis Brisson (1817- year-old Ecuadoran boy whose foot was so badly crushed by a 1908), founder of the Oblates and Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, is the tractor wheel that medical specialists believed he would never fruit of the collaborative effort of the Oblate Sisters at the Motherhouse in Troyes and Fr. Herbert Winklehner, OSFS. The “Brisson Cross” combines Fr. Brisson’s again walk normally. Subsequent to a novena of prayers to profound faith with his fondness for constructing clocks. The nineteenth century Fr. Brisson by the Oblate Sisters, the boy’s wound healed without witnessed a creative explosion of industrial development and technological any physical therapy or orthopedic devices. Later, he moved to the advances. Fr. Brisson was very much at home in this world, but for him science and United States, where he eventually enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. technology were never to be isolated or separated from faith in God. The team of physicians who studied the medical documentation concluded that the healing could not be attributed to natural causes or to specific medical intervention. Following this medical being prepared by the Dutch Salesian Family. On Friday evening, consultation, a panel of theologians from the Congregation for the 21 September, a prayer vigil will be held in preparation for the Causes of Saints studied the entire matter, and on 7 June 2011 beatification. On Sunday, 23 September, a of Thanksgiving unanimously determined that this miraculous healing was will be celebrated in Plancy, the place of Fr. Brisson’s birth and obtained through the sole intercession of Fr. Brisson. death. On Monday, 24 September, a Mass of Thanksgiving will be The Pope’s decree of 19 December 2011 means that celebrated at the Visitation Monastery in Troyes, where Fr. Brisson Fr. Brisson will be formally “beatified,” after which he will be served as chaplain and confessor for over forty years, and known as “Blessed” Louis Brisson. Unlike canonization, whereby a encountered Mother Mary de Sales Chappuis, the “Good Mother” person is solemnly raised to sainthood to be acknowledged by the (1793-1875), who played a key role in the foundation of the universal Church, beatification is an act by which a public cult for Oblates and Oblate Sisters. the servant of God is permitted, but limited to specific places such Beginning on Monday afternoon, 24 September, and as Fr. Brisson’s native diocese of Troyes, and by particular groups continuing on Tuesday morning, 25 September, the International such as the religious communities he founded. Commission for Salesian Studies (ICSS) will sponsor a symposium Fr. Brisson’s beatification is scheduled to take place on on the newly blessed’s ministry and spirituality. This program is Saturday, 22 September 2012, in the cathedral of Troyes. His open to all who wish to attend. The venue will be the Motherhouse Eminence Cardinal , SDB, Prefect of the of the Oblate Sisters in Troyes, and Mother General Françoise- Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, has been designated by Bernadette Beuzelin, OSFS, will inaugurate the symposium and Pope Benedict XVI to preside at this ceremony. A number of welcome the attendees. Dr. Wendy M. Wright, Professor of events and programs will also take place prior to and after the Theology and John C. Kenefick Chair in the Humanities at beatification, including the premier of a DVD about Fr. Brisson Creighton University, Omaha, NE, and an internationally 2 ICSS NEWSLETTER renowned Salesian scholar, will give the keynote address. Her very happily. It is a form of relaxation for me, and at the topic will be the 19th-century Salesian Pentecost as the context same time it brings me closer to God. 2 for Fr. Brisson’s life, ministry, and spirituality. Sr. Anne Elizabeth Eder, OSFS, President of the Board of Trustees of Mount Aviat A website dedicated to Fr. Brisson’s beatification has also been Academy, Childs, MD, will give the afternoon’s second created by Fr. Winklehner and Fr. Thomas Dailey, OSFS, Director presentation, which will consider Fr. Brisson and the foundation of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture at De Sales University, and Salesian-Oblate charism of the Oblate Sisters. Center Valley, PA. It may be accessed at: www.louisbrisson.org. On Tuesday morning, the symposium will resume with Mass Fr. Brisson’s beatification marks the penultimate stage of his in the crypt of the Oblate Sisters Motherhouse where Fr. Brisson cause, which was initiated in Troyes in 1938, and introduced in is buried. Two talks will follow: in 1964. When the decree of Fr. F. Chorpenning, OSFS, validity of the process was issued on ICSS Chairman, on Fr. Brisson and 6 October 1995, Fr. Brisson was the foundation and Salesian-Oblate then designated a “Servant of God.” charism of the De Sales Oblates, The monumental undertaking of and Sr. Madeleine Thérèse compiling, editing, and classifying Dechambre, OSFS, the the necessary documentation to for Fr. Brisson’s cause, on its history establish Fr. Brisson’s heroic practice and development. The symposium of the virtues was undertaken and will conclude with closing remarks successfully completed by Fr. Roger by Fr. Aldino Kiesel, OSFS, Superior Balducelli, OSFS, a former Superior General of the De Sales Oblates. General of the De Sales Oblates. Symposium papers will be published Fr. Balducelli’s work made it possible in the ICSS Newsletter , possibly over for Fr. Yvon Beaudoin, OMI, two or more issues, if necessary, in a former consultor to the order to make them available to the Congregation for the Causes of entire Salesian family. Saints, to write Fr. Brisson’s The official logo for the documented biography ( Aloisii beatification (Figure 1.1) is the fruit Brisson, Sacerdotis et Fundatoris of the collaborative effort of the Oblatorum et Oblatarum S. Francisci Oblate Sisters at the Motherhouse Salesii [1817-1908]: super in Troyes and Fr. Herbert virtutibus [Rome, 1998]; a shortened Winklehner, OSFS (ICSS member version of this work in English and webmaster). The “Brisson translation has been published as Cross” combines Fr. Brisson’s Father Louis Brisson [1817-1908]: profound faith with his fondness for A Documented Biography [Wilming- constructing clocks (Figure 1.2)—a ton, DE: Wilmington-Philadelphia symbol of kairos , which in the New Province of the Oblates of Testament means “the appointed St. Francis de Sales, 2008]). Figure 1.2. This large astronomical clock took Fr. Louis Brisson (1817- time in the purpose of God” (cf. 1908), founder of the Oblates and Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Fr. Beaudoin’s biography provided Mark 1:15), the time when God Sales, nearly twenty years to construct. It is presently housed at the the basis for the Congregation for acts. The nineteenth century Oblate Sisters Motherhouse in Troyes. (Photo: Herbert Winklehner, the Causes of Saints’ review, witnessed a creative explosion OSFS) examination, and recommendation of industrial development and concerning the heroicity of technological advances. There was a flood of new inventions, and Fr. Brisson’s virtues. The final stage of the cause would be hundreds of patents were sought and granted. Fr. Brisson was very canonization, which requires the documentation and much at home in this world, but for him science and technology authorization of another miracle, this one taking place after were never to be isolated or separated from faith in God. beatification. 3 Accordingly, Fr. Brisson comments on the first clock he invented:

NOTES Do you know why I have made this clock? Because it gives an idea of what God has created. The better the 1. See, for example, Joseph F. Chorpenning, OSFS, “The 200th Anniversary clock, the better the reflection of God’s creation. The of John Neumann’s Birth (1811-2011),” American Catholic Studies movement of the earth and stars set and guide our lives. 122/3 (Fall 2011): 89-94, esp. 92-93. 2. Quoted in Dirk Koster, OSFS, Louis Brisson (Noorden: Bert Post, 2008), 81. The clock continues to tick away until the hour arrives 3. The ample resources provided by Frs. Winklehner and Dailey on the for our departure from this earth. Then we are taken up website, www.louisbrisson.org, were especially helpful in the preparation of into God where there is no time. I work on this clock this article. ICSS NEWSLETTER 3

Salesian Art Essay The First Portraits of St. Francis de Sales (This article is adapted from two important studies of the iconography of St. Francis de Sales: Jules Chambelland, OSFS, “St. Francis de Sales and His Portraits,” which was first published in the Annales salésiennes in 1937, and is available in an English translation by Alexander T. Pocetto, OSFS [Ph.D., in 17th-century French Literature, Université de Laval] on the website of The Salesian Center for Faith & Culture, De Sales University (www4.desales.edu/SCFC/SalStudies.htm); and Dr. Josette Curtil, “Saint François de Sales et ses images,” Annales salésiennes , nouvelle série no. 3, 1er semestre (2011): 37-50, esp 37-39.

It is well documented that the first known pictures of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) are portraits. To paint someone’s portrait is to represent the person’s resemblance on canvas or on paper in a way that captures his/her essence or soul. A portrait intends to make visible the inner person in a number of ways: posture, facial expression, body language, etc. Painting a portrait presupposes the physical presence of the model. However, during Francis’s lifetime, some believed that to sit for a portrait was an indication of vanity and contrary to humility. However, saints of the stature of Teresa of Ávila (1515- 82) and (1542-91), “never rejected visual representations. They were not considered by them to be useless pleasures, but a support for the spiritual life.” 1 In light of these ideas, then, portraits of Francis sought to make visible his virtues by a careful representation of his physical attributes. Jean-Pierre Camus (1584-1652), bishop of Belley and a close friend of Francis, notes that, if great servants of God would not for anything in the world have portraits made of themselves, Francis would have done so to be “all things to all people”: “If we look with pleasure on our books, which are the portrait of the mind . . . , why would we not admire enviously the lines of their face if this can contribute in some way to their contentment?” 2 Before turning to the earliest portraits of Francis, it is helpful to consider the description of our saint by Charles-Auguste de Sales (1606-60), his nephew, biographer, and successor as bishop of Geneva. Charles-Auguste writes:

In many ways, Francis was a great man, but in his own mind he was small and humble. His body was straight and robust; his figure, full, with large shoulders; his Figure 2.1 Bro. Martellange, SJ, St. Francis de Sales , 1606. According to St. Jane complexion, bright; his head was large and well-formed Frances de Chantal, this small portrait (17 cm x 13 cm), today preserved at the Annecy Visitation, was a true likeness of Francis. Martellange depicts the saint and almost completely bald; his hair auburn; his brow against a dark brown background. He has a tapered beard that is more prominent wide and full; he had well curved high eyebrows, blue than in other portraits. Francis’s blue eyes look to the left. His drooping eyelids eyes, a well-defined but not prominent nose, ruddy and the pronounced circles around the eyes make Francis appear fatigued. (Photo: cheeks, a round mouth, a thick and medium length Herbert Winklehner, OSFS) beard; he had a deep voice and spoke deliberately; his hands were well-formed and firm; he had a slow and time a certain irregularity with the right parietal more prominent heavy gait, noble and unaffected gestures, and clothing than the left. “But what struck those permitted to examine the that was always clean. 3 saint’s head was the fact that the very wide forehead was not as monstrously high as many portraits depicted. On the contrary, it Another source of information about Francis’s physical dropped down quite rapidly. The highest part of the head had a appearance is provided by the anatomical study of his skull done marked prominence that most artists did not take into by M. Louis Revon, curator of the Annecy museum, when in 1865 consideration.” 4 he was authorized by the local bishop to make an inventory of the It should also be noted that in all of the portraits, the left eye saint’s relics. Physicians at the time noted the large development is affected with strabism and that this defect is noticeable at times of the skull—with the anterior-posterior diameter measuring 19 in both eyes. Didn’t the saint himself say: “My heart sees better cms. and the lateral diameter 16 cms.—and having at the same than my eyes?” 4 ICSS NEWSLETTER

What is the date of the first portrait? According to the archives of the Annecy Visitation, the first and oldest portrait of Francis was surreptitiously painted in 1606 by the saint’s then secretary, Martellange, a native of Lyon, who later became a Jesuit lay brother. Martellange made a little opening in one of the panel walls of the bishop’s bedroom through which he observed his subject. According to St. Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641), this small portrait (17 cm x 13 cm), today preserved at the Annecy Visitation, was a true likeness of the saint (Figure 2.1). Martellange depicts Francis against a dark brown background. He has a tapered beard that is more prominent than in other portraits. Francis’s blue eyes look to the left. His drooping eyelids and the pronounced circles around the eyes make Francis appear fatigued. Subsequently, there were several other portraits: one on canvas with his coat of arms, given by Francis in 1611 to the nobleman, Jean de Ville, lord of Salins, and three portraits bearing the date 1613—two of which the bishop gave to close friends (Guillaume-Philippe de Foras and M. de Blonay, the father of Mother Marie-Aimée de Blonay). But, without question, the next major, and most influential portrait was that which came to be known as the “Turin portrait” (Figure 2.2). It is likely that this portrait was commissioned from Jean-Baptiste Costaz in 1618 by Mother de Chantal. It bears the inscription: “ aetatus suae [his age] 52. 1618.” The Turin portrait possibly corresponds to the image of Francis that Mother de Chantal wished to leave to posterity. His mozetta and pectoral cross suspended from a ribbon indicate his Figure 2.2 Jean-Baptiste Costaz, St. Francis de Sales, the “Turin Portrait,” 1618. The Turin portrait possibly corresponds to the image of Francis that episcopal office. Francis’s expression is calm and noble, revealing a Mother de Chantal wished to leave to posterity. His mozetta and pectoral cross man whose charisma captivates and mysteriously attracts the suspended from a ribbon indicate his episcopal office. Francis’s expression is viewer. The half-length figure of Francis stands out against a dark calm and noble, revealing a man whose charisma captivates and mysteriously background. His elongated face shows lines strongly drawn by the attracts the viewer. The half-length figure of Francis stands out against a dark shadows. His head is bald and has a large and high forehead. The background. His elongated face shows lines strongly drawn by the shadows. His nose is thin and rather long. A moustache and beard surround a head is bald and has a large and high forehead. The nose is thin and rather long. A moustache and beard surround a small mouth that is well drawn. (Photo: small mouth that is well drawn. Herbert Winklehner, OSFS) The left eye, shown on certain paintings by a slight divergence from the iris, refers us to the Charles-Auguste’s observation that Francis “had bright eyes but with a slight squint.” expresses fatigue; the beard is already greying. This portrait brings This feature stressed by some artists became synonymous with the to mind Francis’s statement to the bishop of Belley several months antiquity of the canvas, and hence gave it greater financial value. before his death: “I am so heavy and so worn out that my legs have We also notice that a halo encircles the head, even though Francis trouble carrying me.” was not canonized until 1665. Undoubtedly, this would have been Of the early portraits, undoubtedly the most copied, widely added later, as was common practice when the blessed became disseminated, and influential was the Turin portrait. Rather than saints. At the same time, the Turin portrait betrays a certain Martellange’s all too human portrait, the Turin portrait served more stiffness that does not reflect the simplicity and goodness of our or less as the prototype for most subsequent images of the saint. saint. Perhaps this is unavoidable, even in taking photographs, Henceforth, it was not permissible for an artist to give free rein to that is, by posing a person, he/she loses their natural appearance. the imagination and to give the saint features different from the One final portrait that merits mention is the “Thurnfeld traditional ones. This is substantiated by the case of an engraver portrait” (Figure 2.3), so called because it is the possession of the from Lyon who in 1626 made a woodcut of Francis’s image that Visitandines of Thurnfeld (Tyrol). To the best of our knowledge, it substantially differed from the portraits done during the saint’s is the only portrait done the year of Francis’s death (1622). lifetime. This was considered an act of intolerable insolence. Francis’s age is indicated (a 5, with the second number blurred, but A formal complaint was filed with the city’s criminal prosecutor by it has to be either 54 or 55), and the date appears in the right the leadership of the merchants and members of the city council corner of the portrait: “AN. 1622.” The portrait’s authenticity as “for the purpose of bringing [the engraver] to trial, verification pertaining to the beginning of the seventeenth century has been made, and that the engraver be reproved for his malice.” verified by expert examination of its colors, painting style, and the It was especially on the occasions of Francis’s beatification manner in which the canvas is stretched on the frame. It also (1661) and canonization (1665) that images of the saintly bishop compares favorably with the best portraits of the saint. The face proliferated. But even once Francis’s cause was opened, there was ICSS NEWSLETTER 5

Encountering St. Francis de Sales in Life

“He received all comers with the same expression of quiet friendliness, and never turned anyone away, whatever his station in life; he always listened with unhurried calmness and for as long as people felt they needed to talk. He was so patient and attentive that you would have thought this was all he had to do, and everyone felt so happy and satisfied when they left him. . . . They longed to have a taste of that great gentleness and serenity of heart which he invariably gave them and which helped people to open up to him with great confidence. . . .

= His whole manner and his way of speaking had great dignity and discretion but was at the same time humble, quiet and candid; he never posed, he was completely unaffected and lacked any stiffness. He was never heard to say anything unsuitable or merely flippant, or to speak Figure 2.3 St. Francis de Sales, the “Thurnfeld portrait,” so called because it is in any way which might have proved offensive. He did the possession of the Visitandines of Thurnfeld (Tyrol). To the best of our knowledge, it is the only portrait done the year of Francis’s death (1622). Francis’s not raise his voice unduly and he spoke in a serious, age is indicated (a 5, with the second number blurred, but it has to be either 54 deliberate, calm, and unhurried way, always conveying or 55), and the date appears in the right corner of the portrait: “AN. 1622.” The face expresses fatigue; the beard is already greying. This portrait brings to mind his meaning effectively but without fine phrases or Francis’s statement to the bishop of Belley several months before his death: “I am any other speech affectation—he was all for so heavy and so worn out that my legs have trouble carrying me.” (Photo: Herbert straightforwardness and simplicity. I myself often noticed, Winklehner, OSFS) and others had the same impression, that he said neither too much nor too little but just what was right; and his a demand for images of him. As the archives of the Annecy use of terms was so apt that it would not have been Visitation indicate, “artists and engravers promptly made portraits bettered. . . . of the saintly bishop of which a large number had to be distributed with richly decorated frames in keeping with the recipients’ social = position,” that is to say, cardinals and other wealthy people who Everyone was loud in their praises of his conversational could support the cause. Once beatified and canonized, Francis’s physiognomy was ubiquitous in paintings, decorative frescoes, powers, and all who knew this great servant of God stained-glass windows, engravings, statues, medals, and the considered his talk extraordinarily agreeable and embroidery on chasubles, banners, and altar paraments. pleasant. . . . . My brother, the Archbishop of Bourges, and also my late father, and various people of standing who knew him and had been his travelling companions, NOTES could not praise him enough for his saintly, instructive, 1. L’art du XVII e siècle dans les Carmels de , ed. Yves Rocher, exh. cat. and most delightful conversation. . . .” (Paris: Musée du Petit Palais, 1982), 11. 2. Cited by Canon Bosseoeuf, Un portrait inconnu et original de saint François de Sales (Tours, 1932). 3. Histoire du bien-heureux François de Sales , 2 vols. (Paris: Louis Vivès, 1857), From St. Francis de Sales: A Testimony by St. Chantal , newly edited in 2: 282-83. Charles-Auguste’s biography of his uncle was first published in translation with an introduction by Elisabeth Stopp (London: Faber 1634. Originally written in Latin, it was translated into French by the author himself. & Faber, 1967), 138-39. 4. Revue Savoisienne , 15 Apr. 1863. SALESIAN STUDIES WORLDWIDE

Africa University (DSU). DSU’s Board of Trustees pledged to contribute US$100,000. annually for five years to help with the construction BÉNIN costs of the Academy, which will house around 2,000 students The Bénin foundation, initiated by Fr. André Brix, OSFS, and from K-12 when the five-story building is completed. A implemented by Fr. Maurice Riguet, OSFS, two successive PowerPoint presentation of the Academy can be viewed at: provincials of the French Province, celebrates its 25th anniversary http://www.desalesoblatesindia.com/academy.html. this year. From the outset, this undertaking was linked to the missionary tradition of the first Oblates and their Founder, His Grace Mar George Punnakotill, bishop of Kothamangalom, Fr. Brisson, who, at the end of the 19th century, founded missions has granted permission to begin an Oblate community and a home in South Africa and Brazil. for boys in his diocese. The initiative for this project was taken by Fr. John Sankarathil, OSFS, with the concurrence of Fr. Baiju The mission of the Oblates in Bénin is to help evangelization Puthussery, OSFS, Superior Delegate. efforts in Africa, which closely link development to evangelization with a view to constructing a world of justice and peace. The first Growth in native Oblate personnel is steady and substantial. missionaries were Frs. Stephan Raux, OSFS, Jean-Luc Leroux, There are currently sixteen priests, twelve temporally professed OSFS, and Henri Malidin, OSFS. There are currently four native scholastics, and four novices. Several of the newly ordained priests De Sales Oblate priests and six seminarians, who are pursuing have been assigned to parish work as part of the Mission’s studies at the Catholic University of Lyon in France. There are requirement of having pastoral experience. also two Oblate brothers, as well as several postulants, who will enter the novitiate in September. The ICSS congratulates all of Europe the Oblates of the Bénin foundation on this joyous milestone! FRANCE The “Journées Salésiennes” of Bénin took place 29 August- The annual “Journées Salésiennes 2011” conference was held in 2 September 2011. Forty participants came to reflect, pray, and Troyes. Its theme was “Évangeliser aujourd’hui avec François de learn more about the theme, “The Mary and St. Francis de Sales” (Evangelizing Today with St. Francis de Sales). The Sales.” There were two talks. Fr. Bernard Baussand, OSFS, situated presenters and their topics were as follows: François-Xavier Mary’s Fiat in the Salesian vision of the Incarnation, while Fr. Amherdt, “Avenir de la mission et l’évangelisation: Vers une Charles Whannou, Priest of St. Francis de Sales, presented the pastorale d’engendrement” (The Future of Mission and mystery of the Visitation as a mystery of love on the move. Evangelization: Toward A Fertile Pastoral Approach); Corneille Kimmakon, “Mission et Inculturation en Afrique” (Mission and Asia Inculturation in Africa); Philippe Legros, “La Harangue pour la Prévôté” (St. Francis de Sales’s Oration at His Investiture as INDIA MISSION Provost). These were published in the Annales Salésiennes , new On 21 March 2011, the foundation stone of De Sales Academy series, no. 4, 2nd semester (2011). The other presentations will be was laid by Fr. Bernard O’Connor, OSFS, President of De Sales published in the next issue of this periodical. ICSS NEWSLETTER 7

The current issue of the Annales Salésiennes announces that the because all 130 participants (from ages 7 to 80) donated their “Journées Salésiennes 2012” are scheduled to take place in Troyes, services. As an expression of gratitude for their wonderful and very 20-24 August. The conference’s theme is “De la Croix jaillit la generous work, the cast was given a trip to Annecy to visit some of Vie” (Life Gushes Forth from the Cross). Presentations will focus the original sites represented in the musical. In late 2011, Franz on the meaning of sickness and suffering from the perspective of Sales Verlag in Eichstätt published a DVD of this musical, and in the Paschal mystery and insights from St. Francis de Sales. The June 2012 a songbook with the entire text and all the notes, as well presenters and their topics are as follows: Benoît Gobau, PSFS, as a double CD of the studio recordings of all the songs of the “L’espérance chrétienne” (Christian Hope); Sr. Geneviève-Agnès, musical. The musical’s impact on the dissemination of Salesian OSFS, “Les sept paroles de Jésus en croix” (The Seven Last Words spirituality in the German-speaking world is significant: it of Jesus on the Cross); Valerie Vasseur, CSV, “Témoignage en introduced many people, especially young people, who were unité de soins palliatifs” (Testimony on Behalf of Palliative Care); previously unfamiliar with St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Philippe Legros, “Images de la Croix et du Crucifié dans l’oeuvre Chantal, to Salesian spirituality. For further information about the de François de Sales” (Images of the Cross and of the Crucified in musical, see: www.musical-diebaronin.de. the Works of Francis de Sales); Jean-Luc Leroux, OSFS, “La Croix et l’espérance dans les lettres de saint François de Sales” (The The annual meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Salesianische Cross and Hope in the Letters of St. Francis de Sales); Blandine Studien (Working Group for Salesian Studies) took place at Delahaye, “Le regard de François de Sales sur la maladie: Maître de Salesianum Rosental, Eichstätt, Bavaria, 26-27 November 2011. l’art de souffir” (Francis de Sales’s Perspective on Illness: Master of Its topic was “The Church in Salesian Perspective.” Presenters the Art of Suffering). were Dr. Thomas Günther, whose doctoral thesis was on St. Francis de Sales’s understanding of the Church, and Rev. Dr. GERMANY Stefan Hauptmann, pastor of the parish Markt Indersdorf (Archdiocese of Munich, Bavaria), who spoke on the practical and GERMAN SPEAKING PROVINCE pastoral importance of Salesian spirituality for parish ministry. The (G ERMANY -A USTRIA -S WITZERLAND ) next meeting is scheduled to take place in Eichstätt, 16-17 Mr. Christian Deppisch completed digitization of Fr. Brisson’s November 2012. In commemoration of the beatification of works in German. All Fr. Brisson’s retreats, chapters, and Fr. Brisson, the meeting’s topic will be: “Don Bosco—Louis instructions are now available online, both in German and French, Brisson: Two Founders of Salesian Spirituality.” at: www.louisbrisson.org. In late March 2012, a group of lay people met for a second time at Fr. Brisson’s beatification has provided the opportunity to the Visitation monastery at Zangberg, Bavaria, to discuss the re-launch and update the website www.louisbrisson.org. This establishment of a Salesian Associated Group. The result of the German-speaking site now serves as a source for information about meeting was the creation of the “Salesian Friends,” whose mission Fr. Brisson and news about the celebration of his beatification for is to cooperate with the De Sales Oblates in promoting Salesian the public. Particularly noteworthy is the logo, the “Brisson Cross,” spirituality. Fr. Sebastian Leitner, OSFS, was appointed as a golden cross together with the wheels of a clock, thus combining coordinator and contact person between this group and the Fr. Brisson’s profound faith with his fondness for constructing De Sales Oblates. clocks. This site also contains materials about Fr. Brisson for use in liturgies and classrooms. The German-speaking office of Vatican Radio reported in January 2012, on the occasion of the solemnity of St. Francis de Sales, on For the beatification, a press kit will be published and sent to about the saint’s role as patron of journalists. The broadcast is still 300 media outlets in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It available at: http://www.vaticanradio.org/ted/articolo.asp?c=552737 contains information about the life and work of Louis Brisson, the Oblate Sisters and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, as well as SISTERS OF THE VISITATION information about different beatification events at Troyes and in The Visitation Monastery in Zangberg celebrated its 150th the German-speaking world. anniversary with a Solemn High Mass on 18 March 2012. The Most Rev. Bernard Haßlberger, auxiliary bishop of Munich, was Andreas Kehr (composer) and Fr. Herbert Winklehner, OSFS, presider and homilist. Bishop Haßlberger’s homily emphasized that (author) have composed a new song about Louis Brisson entitled all people are loved and blessed uniquely by God, and, therefore, “Alles von Herzen” (Everything from the Heart). The song as well all Christians, and indeed the Church, are called to share this love as the text is available at: www.louisbrisson.org. of people and the world, as has been done by the Visitandines of Zangberg for the past 150 years. The musical “ Die Baronin ” (The Baroness) about the life of

St. Jane Frances de Chantal that premiered at Eichstätt, Bavaria, ASSOCIATION OF ST. F RANCIS DE SALES in May 2011, was a great success, with all performances sold out. On 28 January 2012, the German-speaking Swiss Group of the About 2,500 people attended, and profit from ticket sales Association of St. Francis de Sales celebrated its 50th anniversary. amounted to approximately US$44,000, which was donated to the Auxiliary Bishop Martin Gächter of Basel and De Sales Oblates Chablais Mission Fund of the De Sales Oblates. This was possible Fr. Konrad Haußner, OSFS, and Fr. Johannes Föhne, OSFS, 8 ICSS NEWSLETTER concelebrated the well-attended Eucharistic liturgy. Anni Association, Visitation Sisters of both the First and Second Trabichet, the General leader of the Association from Paris, was Federations, Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, and the Salesian among the guests. Bishop Gächter spoke warmly about St. Francis Network. They were invited to share the mission of their ministry, de Sales. and consider avenues to better promote our shared spiritual tradition(s). Among the topics discussed were the potential for SECULAR INSTITUTE OF ST. F RANCIS DE SALES disseminating Salesian spirituality in today’s culture, opportunities Fr. William Nessel, OSFS, Chaplain for the Secular Institute of for collaboration, sharing spirituality with the 30-40-year-old age St. Francis de Sales in the United States, filed the following group, vocations, youth education, and the use of technology. report. The Institute held its ordinary General Assembly, 22-25 A collaborative Salesian spirituality web page and the upcoming July 2011, in Passau, Germany, and discussed the following agenda November Salesian Convention were also considered. The items: the Institute’s spiritual direction, the Spiritual Directory , attendees agreed to continue the work begun at this gathering, reorganization of the groups in Germany and Austria, various which they found to be a positive contribution to the sharing of Constitutions and Bylaws, and the Institute’s financial report. Salesian spirituality. Delegate members attended from Namibia, Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Austria. The proceedings were conducted in TOLEDO -D ETROIT PROVINCE three languages: German, English, and Portuguese. Angela De Sales Resources and Ministries (DR&M) is preparing for the Hauche was re-elected for a fourth term as Directress General, and upcoming 2012 Salesian Convention, to be held 2-4 November, at the following Councilors were elected: Vreni Riedacher, Christa Lakeside Chalet at the Sheraton Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO. Rose, Ottile Kutenda, Margarida Hanauer, and Glaci Vallerius. “EVERYDAY SPIRITUALITY 4U: Holy Living through a Salesian Lens” will feature nationally-known preacher, author, and THE NETHERLANDS PROVINCE radio host, Allen Hunt, as the keynote speaker. His focus will be Grieving the recent deaths of two of its members—Fr. Jos van de the need for spirituality in our lives. Other presenters will include Broek, OSFS, who died on 2 December 2011, at age eighty-six, Geoff Rose, OSFS, on living a holy life in today’s culture, Jeanne and Fr. Jan van Duijnhoven, OSFS, who died on 19 January 2012, Hunt and John Graden, OSFS on prayer, and Mary Sellars Malloy at age eighty-three—the Province has become more aware of the on living with joy. With the presentations, music, prayer, liturgy, acute need to plan for the future. It currently has sixteen members, and community, it is hoped that this Convention will bring and the average age is eighty-one. These demographics cannot be together those steeped in Salesian living, as well as seekers not yet ignored and serve as a catalyst for in-depth discussion of the familiar with Salesian spirituality but looking for the sacred in province’s present and future status, with particular attention to their lives. For additional details and/or to register, go to: the following areas: recruitment of younger members or www.desalesresource.org, or phone DR&M (1-800-782-2270). candidates; taking steps to secure the transmission of the Salesian- Oblate spiritual heritage for the future, primarily through the The Spring, 2012 issue of Bondings contains a review by Fr. Salesian circles and the Province’s network of lay people; and the Whalen, OSFS, of Françoise Bouchard’s Father Louis Brisson: A needs and care of elderly, infirm, and dying members. Fr. Kees Heart That Beats in Rhythm with God . He notes that the translation Jongeneelen, OSFS, Provincial, and his Council, with the is very smooth and states that “Mme. Bouchard’s biography assistance of Dr. A. Leijs, who is a member of the board of the presents [Fr. Brisson] as one [who] engaged his entire life in an Dutch Association of Religious (KNR), have drawn up a wish list initial form of theological reflection before the term or and possible plan to tackle these important issues. methodology was clearly presented.” In the Winter 2012 issue of the same newsletter, there appears a brief article on “Fr. Louis Preparations for Fr. Brisson’s beatification include preparation of a Brisson and Salesian Education,” adapted from an article by DVD, which will be premiered in Troyes on this occasion, as well Fr. William Guerin, OSFS, who stresses three important aspects of as plans for a special gathering of the Dutch Salesian Family in Fr. Brisson’s philosophy of education, that is, “respect for the child, Salesianum in October. The Province’s annual pilgrimage for laity good example, and prayer for one’s students.” to Annecy will take place 8-14 September 2012, with the group The biennial Salesian Scholars Seminar is scheduled to take place participating in the celebration of the beatification ceremony in at DR&M in Stella Niagara, NY, 18-21 October 2012. The Troyes on the return trip home. Seminar’s theme is: “Pentecost in the Salesian Tradition,“ which is understood in the broadest sense, thus encompassing a wide United States range of topics, including the foundation of the Visitation Order, the Visitation mystery, the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, the so- INTER -C ONGREGATIONAL COOPERATION called 19th-century Salesian Pentecost, etc. De Sales Resources and Ministries and De Sales Spirituality Services hosted a meeting described as the “Salesian Initiative,” at WILMINGTON -P HILADELPHIA PROVINCE St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center in Detroit, MI, The January 2012 Provincial Chapter voted to disband the 10-22 April 2012. It was attended by leaders of twelve Salesian Provincial Conference and to replace it with a structure more organizations—Oblate Sisters, De Sales Oblates of both North faithful to the spirit of the Constitutions by ensuring that the American Provinces, Salesians of Don Bosco, St. Francis de Sales members of the Province have an opportunity to dialogue and ICSS NEWSLETTER 9 make their thoughts known on various matters concerning the stated: “Fr. Crossin has extraordinary background and expertise in Province and the Congregation. It was found that regional the world of ecumenism and interfaith relations. He also has meetings with a specific focus and questions provide a wider and strong administrative experience honed in service to his religious more inclusive way for the members to voice their opinions and congregation. I am delighted to welcome him to the USCCB.” concerns. Over a three-month period during the first half of 2012, The Secretariat supports the work of the bishops in the areas of eleven regional meetings were held, with a focus on the vision and ecumenical, interreligious, and Jewish dialogues, as well as works legacy of Fr. Brisson, paying particular attention to the role of the with theologians and other experts in these areas. Work is both Spiritual Directory in our contemporary setting. The discussions national and international in scope. Current religious groups in were intended to draw out the implications for the Province in formal dialogue with the U.S. bishops include Orthodox, terms of charism, church, and community (the Province’s three Anglicans, Polish National Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, priorities) and for the Congregation in terms of joint direction United Methodists, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs. across provinces in preparation for the 2012 General Chapter. Publications Fr. Alexander Pocetto’s article, “The Spiritual Directory in the American Oblate Tradition,” supplemented by Fr. Lewis Fiorelli’s BOOKS article on the Spiritual Directory , were used as texts for reflection to ENGLISH prepare for the discussions. The meeting format set a time of 75- Françoise Bouchard, Father Louis Brisson: A Heart That Beats in 90 minutes with a host, a facilitator, and a recorder. Time Rhythm with God , trans. Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, allotments for the various parts of the meeting were as follows: Troyes (Paris: Salvator, 2011). prayer (5 minutes); personal check-in (an opportunity for each participant to share what’s happening in his personal life and Thomas A. Donlan, “The Reform of Zeal: François de Sales and ministry) (20-30 minutes); structured conversation (45 minutes); Militant Catholicism during the French Wars of Religion” (Ph.D. and new business (10 minutes). After each meeting, the recorder diss., University of Arizona, 2011). filed a report with Fr. Barry Strong, OSFS, Director of Province Administration, who disseminated the various reports via e-mail Encountering Anew the Familiar: Francis de Sales’s “Introduction to a to all members of the Province. Data in these reports will help give Devout Life” at 400 Years , ed. Joseph Chorpenning, OSFS (Rome: further direction to the Province’s priorities and provide necessary International Commission for Salesian Studies, 2012). For more information for the Province’s General Chapter delegates. on this title, see p. 12 above.

Fr. Joseph Chorpenning, OSFS, Chairman and English-language Joseph of Nazareth through the Centuries , ed. Joseph F. Chorpenning, member of the ICSS, presented a paper at the 2012 Lovis Corinth OSFS (Philadelphia: ’s University Press, 2011). An Colloquium at Emory University. The colloquium’s theme was “ Ab interview with Fr. Chorpenning about the book, together with historia proprie figurativa : Visual Images as Exegetical Instruments, St. Joseph’s importance for the 2012-13 Year of Faith proclaimed 1400-1700,” and Fr. Chorpenning’s lecture was entitled, “ Lectio by Pope Benedict XVI to mark the 50th anniversary of the divina and Francis de Sales’s Picturing of the Interconnection of inauguration of the Second Vatican Council, may be found at: Human and Divine Hearts.” In April, he delivered the same lecture http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/st.-joseph-hailed-as- in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the model-for-upcoming-year-of-faith/. University of Scranton. Fr. Chorpenning also presented the paper, “The Sun and Mirrors: Francis de Sales’s Emblematic Picture of Matthew Levering, Predestination: Biblical and Theological Paths St. Joseph’s Sanctification,” at the annual meeting of the (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011). Francis de Sales is one Renaissance Society of America in Washington, D.C., 21-24 March of sixteen figures whose views on predestination are explored. The 2012. This paper was part of a session focusing on “New Light on final chapter offers a constructive approach to the topic, rooted in the Veneration of St. Joseph in Early Modern Texts and Art.” Aquinas’s theocentric metaphysics and doctrine of God’s permission of sin, and in ’s and Francis’s The Dialog , the newspaper of the Diocese of Wilmington, DE, emphasis on God’s superabundant love for all rational creatures. honored Fr. Roberto Balducelli, OSFS, with a front-page feature Also available in Kindle format. story heralding his seventy-five years as a priest and his many accomplishments on behalf of the parishioners of the Oblate FRENCH parish, St. , and the entire diocese. On Françoise Bouchard, Á la source de la Visitation (The Origin of the 12 August 2012, a special celebration was held to mark his 100th Visitation) (Paris: Salvator, 2011). birthday. In all of his endeavors, Fr. Roberto has exemplified the Salesian-Oblate spirit and charism. Ad multos annos ! Pour Annecy et pour le monde: L’ordre de la Visitation (1610-2010), Actes du colloque international d’Annecy, 1er – 3 juin 2010 (For In January 2012, Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, became Executive Annecy and for the World: The Order of the Visitation [1610-2010], Director of the Secretariat for Ecumencial and Interreligious Proceedings of the International Colloquium in Annecy, 1-3 June Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2010) , ed. Marie-Élisabeth Henneau et al. (Milan: Silvana (USCCB). Msgr. Ronny E. Jenkins, USCCB General Secretary, Editoriale/Archives départamentales de la Haute-Savoie, 2011). 10 ICSS NEWSLETTER

Sacrées Soieries: Étoffes précieuses à la Visitation (Sacred Silks: the (love) stories of eight church men and women. Among these Precious Fabrics at the Visitation), ed. Géraud Picaud et Jean “unholy couples?” (fortunately the title is followed by a question Foisselon, exh. cat. (Paris: Somogy éditions d’art/Moulins: Musée mark) are St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. de la Visitation, 2012). Catalogue of the current exhibition at the The author extensively discusses these two saints, emphasizing the Musée de la Visitation in Moulins (12 May – 24 December 2012). uniqueness of their friendship.

Soeur Marie-Christophe, St. François de Sales: Une pensée par jour Albert Raffelt and Peter Reifenberg, Universalgenie Blaise Pascal. (St. Francis de Sales: A Daily Thought) (Montreal: MediasPaul, Eine Einführung in sein Denken (Universal Genius Blaise Pascal. 2007). An Introduction to His Thought) (Würzburg: Echter Verlag, 2011). The book provides a scientifically sound introduction to GERMAN the thought of Blaise Pascal (1623-62). It also describes the Françoise Bouchard, Pater Louis Brisson. Ein Herz im Gleichklang mit influence of St. Francis de Sales on Pascal. Francis’s writings Gott (Louis Brisson: A Heart That Beats in Rhythm with God) taught Pascal how to develop his theological thinking into a (Paris: Salvator Verlag, 2011). German version of the new biography theologia cordis , a theology of the heart. of the founder of the Oblate Sisters and the De Sales Oblates. André Ravier, Johanna Franziska von Chantal. Ihr Wesen und ihre Francis Care and Herbert Winklehner (Hg.), Die Baronin – Gnade (Jane Frances de Chantal: Her Character and Her Grace) Songbook. Musical über das Leben der heiligen Johanna Franziska von (Eichstätt: Franz Sales Verlag 2012). A new edition of a classical Chantal (The Baroness – Songbook . Musical about the Life of biography. St. Jane Frances de Chantal) (Eichstätt: Franz Sales Verlag, 2012). This songbook contains the entire libretto, all notes and an audio Jörg Zink, Das Vaterunser (The Lord’s Prayer) (Stuttgart: CD with playback versions of the songs. Katholisches Bibelwerk, 2011). In this book, there is a quotation from St. Jane Frances de Chantal: “What is prayer? It’s a wordless Hermann-Josef Frisch, Geht mutig neue Wege! Briefe von Heiligen breathing in love within the direct presence of the Lord.” an Christen von heute (Go New Ways Bravely. Letters from Saints to Christians of Today) (Ostfildern: Patmos Verlag, 2011). This ITALIAN idea is not new, yet always good. The author takes the life of a Mariagrazia Francschini, Breve guida spirituale secondo S. Francesco saint and asks what he/she would say to Christians today, and di Sales (A Brief Spiritual Guide According to St. Francis de Sales) then he writes a fictional letter from the saint in heaven. (Editrice Elledici, 2009). St. Francis de Sales is included among these saints. In his letter from heaven, he wants—not surprisingly—to help people live Pier Giordano Cabra, Senza l’amore sarei nulla: L’inno alla carità di their faith in the midst of the world. 1 Corinizi 13 (I Am Nothing without Love: The Hymn to Love of 1 Corinthians 13) (Brescia: Editrice Queriniana, 2010). A Florian Joußen, Biographisches Lernen als religiösdidaktisches Prinzip treatment of 1 Corinthians 13 in the form of a traditional lectio anhand der Person des Franz von Sales (Biographical Learning as a divina , with the oratio and contemplation based on St. Francis de Didactic Religious Principle Demonstrated by the Person of Sales. This book was published in collaboration with the Francis de Sales). Study for the Master’s Degree in Teaching, Visitandines of Salò. Aachen 2011. Pier Giordano Cabra, Si puó essere felici con Dio?: Alla ricerca della Martha Kindermann, Der Weg der „Baronin“. Die Entstehung eines gioia (Can We Be Happy with God?: In Search of Happiness) Musicals vom Libretto bis zur Edition (The Way of the “Baroness”: (Brescia: Monastero di la Visitazione, 2011). The Genesis of a Musical from the Libretto to the Edition), a study for the Master’s Degree in Music, Eichstätt-Ingolstadt 2011. The Elisabeth Stopp, Madame de Chantal: Ritratto di una Santa author describes the genesis of the musical “The Baroness,” about (Madame de Chantal: Portrait of a Saint ) (Brescia: Editrice the life of St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Morcelliana, 2010). An Italian translation of this classic biography by the Visitandines of Salò, with a foreword by the Klaus Koziol, Gottvertrauen und Menschenliebe. Johannes XXIII. - Italian author Massimo Marcocchi. Available from the publisher seine Spiritualität für heute (Trust in God and Love of People. John at: www.morcelliana.com. XXIII—His Spirituality for Today) (Ostfildern: Patmos Verlag, 2012). Blessed Pope John XXIII’s spirituality is nothing else than that of St. Francis de Sales. Thus, this is a book on Salesian Articles spirituality, even though St. Francis de Sales is never mentioned. Pope Benedict XVI, “St. Francis de Sales,” in Doctors of the Church (Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, 2011), Elke Pahud de Mortanges, Unheilige Paare? Liebesgeschichten, die 251-57. Text of the Pope’s address on the saint at the General keine sein durften (Unholy Couples? Love Stories That Could Not Audience of 2 March 2011. Be) (München: Kösel Verlag, 2011). This book gives insights into ICSS NEWSLETTER 11

Joseph F. Chorpenning, OSFS, “The 200th Anniversary of Saint John Neumann’s Birth (1811-2011),” American Catholic SYMPOSIUM ON FR. B RISSON ’S Studies 122/3 (2011): 89-94. Links Pope Benedict XV’s teaching MINISTRY AND SPIRITUALITY that the norm for heroic virtues is faithfulness to the duties of one’s held in conjunction with his beatification and sponsored by the state of life as a turning point in Saint John Neumann’s cause for International Commission for Salesian Studies (ICSS) sainthood, the subsequent incorporation of this teaching in Lumen 24-25 September 2012 gentium , and St. Francis de Sales’s anticipation of the same with, Motherhouse of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales in Pope Paul VI’s words, “keen and progressive insight” Troyes, France = —————. “Visual, Verbal, Mental, and Living Images in Early Monday, 24 September Modern Catholicism: Francis de Sales and Adrien Gambart,” 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. Journal of Religion and Society: Supplement 8, Religion and the Visual Welcome: Mother General Françoise-Bernadette Beuzelin, O.S.F.S. (2012): 55-71. Keynote Adress: “Fr. Brisson in Context: The 19th-Century Salesian Pentecost” Benny Koottanal, MSFS, “Salesian Understanding of the Wendy M. Wright, Ph.D. Eucharist,” Indian Journal of Spirituality , 24/ 2 (June 2011): 130-39. Professor of Theology and John C. Kenefick Chair in the Humanities Creighton University, Omaha, Ne. William May, “In Memoriam of Father John Harvey, OSFS,” “Fr. Brisson and the Foundation and Salesian-Oblate Charism Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly , no. 1 (Spring 2011): 12-14. of the Oblate Sisters” Sr. Anne Elizabeth Eder, O.S.F.S. Daniel P. Wisniewski, OSFS, “‘I Shall Always Take the Side of President of the Board of Trustees Mount Aviat Academy, Childs, Md. Divine Providence’: How the Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales Supports Human Resilience during Bereavement,” in Handbook on = Tuesday, 25 September Spirituality , ed. Cleveland A. Stark and Dylan C. Bonner 9:00 a.m. -12:00 Noon (Hauppauge, N.Y.: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2012), 227-39. Mass in the crypt of the Motherhouse of the Oblate Sisters The periodical, Dix-septième siècle , no. 235, 2007/2 contains the “Fr. Brisson and the Foundation and Salesian-Oblate Charism following articles on St. Francis de Sales: Emmanuel Bury, “Relire of the De Sales Oblates” saint François de Sales” (Rereading St. Francis de Sales); Hélèn Fr. Joseph F. Chorpenning, O.S.F.S., S.T.L., Ph.D. Chairman, International Commission for Salesian Studies Michon, “François de Sales: De l’anthropologie à la mystique” Editorial Director, Saint Joseph’s University Press, Philadelphia, Pa. (Francis de Sales: From Anthropology to Mysticism); Laurence Devillairs, “La supposition impossible” (The Impossible “Fr. Brisson’s Cause: Its History and Development” Sr. Madeleine- Thérèse Dechambre, O.S.F.S. Assumption); Benedetta Papasogli, “L’abeille et la colombe: La Postulator for Fr. Brisson’s cause méditation chez François de Sales” (The Bee and the Dove: Meditation According to Francis de Sales); Christian Belin, “La Concluding Remarks: naïveté amoureuse dans le Traité de l’amour de Dieu ” (Lovable Fr. Aldino Kiesel, O.S.F.S. Superior General of the De Sales Oblates Artlessness in the Treatise on the Love of God ). These articles are available online at: http://www.cairn.info/revue-dix-septieme- siecle-2007-2.htm. The ICSS NEWSLETTER was founded in 1997 and is published biannually by the International Commission for Salesian Studies DVD (ICSS) of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (Joseph F. Chorpenning, OSFS, Chairman; Valdir Formentini, OSFS; Dirk Koster, OSFS; Andreas Kehr, Herbert Winklehner, OSFS, Nicola Bamberger, Die Herbert Winklehner, OSFS). Its primary purpose is to disseminate on Baronin - eine wahre Geschichte. Musical über Johanna Franziska von a global scale information dealing with Salesian Studies (St. Francis de Chantal (The Baroness—A True Story. Musical about Jane Frances Sales; St. Jane Frances de Chantal; Fr. Louis Brisson, founder of the De de Chantal), DVD, 110 minutes (Eichstätt: Franz Sales Verlag, Sales Oblates and the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales; the Visitation of Holy Mary; Lay Institutes and other Religious who are 2011). DVD of the performance of the musical in Eichstätt in May members of the Salesian Family). 2011. Editor: Joseph F. Chorpenning, OSFS (Saint Joseph’s University Press, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395, USA; e-mail: Audio CD [email protected]). Die Baronin—eine wahre Geschichte. Musical über Johanna Franziska News Editor: Alexander T. Pocetto, OSFS. News items for future issues von Chantal (The Baroness—A True Story. Musical about Jane should be sent to Fr. Pocetto via e-mail ([email protected]), Francis de Chantal ) by Francis Care, Herbert Winklehner, OSFS, fax (610/282-2059), or by mail (De Sales University, 2755 Station Nicola Bamberger, 2 audio CDs, Eichstätt: Franz Sales Verlag, Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034-9568, USA). 2012. Studio recordings of all songs of the musical. Proofreader: Charles J. Norman, OSFS Design and typesetting: Carol McLaughlin 12 ICSS NEWSLETTER

ICSS Book Release

2009 marked the 400th anniversary of the publication of the Introduction to the Devout Life — St. Francis de Sales’s most popular and best-selling book, which has not gone out of print in 400 years. To mark this milestone, the De Sales Oblates, Encountering Anew the Familiar under the auspices of the International FRANCIS DE SALES’S Commission for Salesian Studies (ICSS), INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE AT 400 YEARS sponsored the symposium, “Encountering Anew the Familiar: The Introduction to the Devout Life at 400 Years,” which took place in Annecy (see ICSS Newsletter , No. 24 [October 2009]: 1-2).

Symposium papers revisited some of the Introduction ’s most familiar elements and themes so as to uncover an overlooked or neglected aspect, and perhaps even to yield some fresh insights: its status as a spiritual classic (Wendy M. Wright); Francis’s ministry of spiritual direction as the context for the Introduction , as well as our saint’s insights into this topic in this work and their applicability to spiritual direction in Oblate formation (Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS); spiritual formation as a process of image-making in the Introduction (Joseph F. Chorpenning, OSFS); and Francis’s teaching in the Introduction that friendships rooted in God are eternal and continue in the next life (Daniel P. Wisniewski, OSFS). These were complemented by a lively PowerPoint

Edited by presentation by Michel Tournade, OSFS, author of Joseph F. Chorpenning, O.S.F.S. the critically acclaimed adaptation of the Introduction for young people, Une monde à aimer (1998), about what led him to undertake this adaptation, its purpose and methodology.

The book, Encountering Anew the Familiar: Francis tde Sales’s “Introduction to the Devout Life” at 400 Years , includes revised and expanded versions of the papers presented in Annecy, as well as information about accessing Fr. Tournade’s PowerPoint presentation. These are introduced and complemented by Viviane Mellinghoff-Bourgerie’s study of the Introduction ’s various editions as indicative of how this spiritual classic was received and interpreted throughout its publication history.

Encountering Anew the Familiar makes the content of the Annecy symposium now available as a resource to the wider Salesian family, world of scholarship, and those engaged in disseminating the Salesian charism at the pastoral and popular levels.

2012 / Hardcover / 118 pages / 6 illustrations To order, contact De Sales Resources and Ministries. $29.95 plus shipping Phone/fax: 716-754-4948 Published by the International Commission for Salesian Studies Toll free in the U.S.: 800-782-2270 (ICSS), and distributed for the ICSS by De Sales Resources E-mail: [email protected] and Ministries. Order online: go to Catalogue at www.desalesresource.org.