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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES114. In modern times, mention should be made of the important contribution of Saint Francis deSales. Francis frequently contemplated Christ%u2019s open heart, which invites us to dwell therein, in apersonal relationship of love that sheds light on the mysteries of his life. In his writings, the saintlyDoctor of the Church opposes a rigorous morality and a legalistic piety by presenting the heart ofJesus as a summons to complete trust in the mysterious working of his grace. We see thisexpressed in his letter to Saint Jane Francis de Chantal: %u201cI am certain that we will remain no longerin ourselves%u2026 but dwell forever in the Lord%u2019s wounded side, for apart from him not only can we donothing, but even if we were able, we would lack the desire to do anything%u201d. [103]115. For Francis de Sales, true devotion had nothing to do with superstition or perfunctory piety,since it entails a personal relationship in which each of us feels uniquely and individually knownand loved by Christ. %u201cThis most adorable and lovable heart of our Master, burning with the lovewhich he professes to us, [is] a heart on which all our names are written%u2026 Surely it is a source ofprofound consolation to know that we are loved so deeply by our Lord, who constantly carries usin his heart%u201d. [104] With the image of our names written on the heart of Christ, Saint Francis soughtto express the extent to which Christ%u2019s love for each of us is not something abstract and generic,but utterly personal, enabling each believer to feel known and respected for who he or she is.%u201cHow lovely is this heaven, in which the Lord is its sun and his breast a fountain of love from whichthe blessed drink to their heart%u2019s content! Each of us can look therein and see our name carved inletters of love, which true love alone can read and true love has written. Dear God! And what too,beloved daughter, of our loved ones? Surely they will be there too; for even if our hearts have nolove, they nonetheless possess a desire for love and the beginnings of love%u201d. [105]116. Francis saw this experience of Christ%u2019s love as essential to the spiritual life, indeed one of thegreat truths of faith: %u201cYes, my beloved daughter, he thinks of you and not only, but even thesmallest hair of your head: this is an article of faith and in no way must it be doubted%u201d. [106] Itfollows that the believer becomes capable of complete abandonment in the heart of Christ, inwhich he or she finds repose, comfort and strength: %u201cOh God! What happiness to be thusembraced and to recline in the bosom of the Saviour. Remain thus, beloved daughter, and likeanother little one, Saint John, while others are tasting different kinds of food at the table of theLord, lay your head, your soul and your spirit, in a gesture of utter trust, on the loving bosom of thisdear Lord%u201d. [107] %u201cI hope that you are resting in the cleft of the turtledove and in the pierced side ofour beloved Saviour%u2026 How good is this Lord, my beloved daughter! How loving is his Heart! Letus remain here, in this holy abode%u201d. [108]117. At the same time, faithful to his teaching on the sanctification of ordinary life, Francisproposes that this experience take place in the midst of the activities, tasks and obligations of ourdaily existence. %u201cYou asked me how souls that are attracted in prayer to this holy simplicity, to thisperfect abandonment in God, should conduct themselves in all their actions? I would reply that,26