The Greater Freedom of Not Being Able to Sin Francis De Sales, Pieper, and Divine Providence


By: Jason Songe, Seminarian, Archdiocese of New Orleans

“There are many who say to the Lord, ‘I give myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve,’ but there are few who embrace the practice of this abandonment, which consists in receiving with a certain indifference every sort of event, as it happens in conformity with Divine Providence, as well afflictions as consolations, contempt and reproaches as honor and glory.”–St. Francis de Sales

No matter what’s behind us or what’s in front of us, I’m hoping we can all enter into the Summer by abandoning ourselves to Divine Providence. Let us be viators, as Pieper says, people on the way. People with hope. There’s an excellent passage from Pieper’s Faith, Hope, Love wherein he is explaining the transformation a viator undergoes as he inches closer and closer to Christ. He says, “Freedom to sin is turned into the greater freedom of not being able to sin.” And that is what I want for all of my brothers this Summer.

I made a playlist of hopeful songs in an act of praise and thanksgiving to God for bringing our archbishop through the virus so quickly. I am especially thankful to the staff who have been sharing this unique time with us: everyone in the kitchen, Ms. Jan, and Travis. Enjoy the songs.


About the Author: Jason Songe, Seminarian, Archdiocese of New Orleans


Jason is a seminarian in First Theology.


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