PRAY WITH LOUIS BRISSON
A Novena on the occasion of his Beatification on September 22, 2012

Day 1: The Law of Love

I place myself in the Presence of God.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God, You are here, in my thoughts and in my heart; You envelop me with Your Presence.

Louis Brisson

We have a heart! Let us reflect upon that thought. God made no mistake in creating it. He has placed treasures of love and tenderness in each heart, according to the variety of vocations to which He has called men and women. That love must mount and increase in the heart, be diffused, and be communicated: that is the Law proper to every Love. (Louis Brisson, Retreat of 1897, 5th Instruction)

Scripture Text

Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you, live on in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15: 9-12)

Reflection

Louis Brisson was profoundly marked by the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. Nowhere is that shown more clearly than in his numerous instructions on the pre-eminence of Love. Love is the element which marks our faith and our life, God is waiting for us to love Him in return with that Love which He has destined for each one of us. “All through love” was one of Father Brisson’s bywords of encouragement and direction. His resounding maxim was “All our actions are founded on the principle of Love.”

Questions for reflection

• Do I really believe that God is Love?
• What concrete meaning or importance does Jesus’ commandment, “Love one another”, have for me?
• How can I make Love the foundation of my life?

Prayer

O God of Love, we are born in Your love, that love which places no limits to Your gifts, so that You may become more clearly perceived in this world with each new day. Be with me in my difficulties, and help me make Love the basis of my life. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven…     Glory be to the Father….