introduction to the devout life by st francis de sales

The Scriptures tell us that the sheep ignore the sounds and shouts of strangers and follow the gentle voice of Jesus. They sift through the weakness and wrongdoings of life and support each other in rebuilding and reconnecting when relationships are broken.ĭuring the Easter Season, the church presents Jesus the Good Shepherd as a true friend. The best relationships recognize the goodness and grace in one another. Our associations with others should be mutual, reciprocal and virtuous. In the Introduction to the Devout Life, Saint Francis de Sales tells us that true friendship demands real communication. As a dedicated son of Saint Francis de Sales, Father Frank was showing us the Salesian approach to friendship.

He made friends with everyone he encountered and helped students, faculty and staff experience God’s friendship. Even when he was not in the classroom, Father Frank was teaching us about charity, friendship and faith. When I joined the Oblates and later lived with Father Frank at Salesianum School, I saw that the friendship continued with a new generation and a new school. Whether in the classroom, the lunchroom or walking down the hallway, Father Pileggi addressed us all as “my friend.” He might see you in the cafeteria and ask: “My friend, how are the French fries today?” In the library he would gently remind you, “Please be quiet, my friend, the other guys are trying to study.” In the classroom, he could be heard telling the students, “My friends, take out a pencil for today’s quiz.” Everyone was a friend to Father Pileggi. He was one of the teachers and priests that all of the students seemed to know because he seemed to know all of us. While Father Frank was never my teacher, he was a very visible and popular member of the faculty at Northeast Catholic High School in the 1980s when I was a student. On Tuesday, Father Frank Pileggi, OSFS, celebrated his 90th birthday.

Introduction to the devout life by st francis de sales