Gentleness perfects us towards our neighbor. Like Catholics of the seventeenth century, we who are living in the twenty-first century can look with confidence to God as he applies his grace to our souls. Written in a similar style to that of the Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena, the book, however, is in the format of St. Francis writing down answers to a female pupil named Philothea and not a one-on-one conversation as in the Dialogue, but Introduction to the Devout Life is similar in idea. INTRODUCTION To A DEVOUT LIFE. Fr. If charity be milk, devotion is the cream; if charity be a plant, devotion is its flowers; if charity be a precious stone, devotion is its lustre; if charity be a rich balm, devotion is its odour: yea, the odour of sweetness, which comforts men and rejoices angels (8). not only is it 400 years old but sometimes each sentence demands serious contemplation for a few days. Morning exercise gratitude for the night, firm resolution for the day ahead, review the upcoming day, humble yourself, offer yourself to God. Highly recommend for anyone looking for concrete advice on the spiritual life! We are gradually being formed by our desires and resolutions. CHAPTER IX. OUR LADY: THIS BEAUTIFUL SACRED OBJECT PROTECTS YOUR FAMILY, THIS AMAZING BESTSELLER WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE (ONLY $1! An introduction to a devout life Written originally in French by St. Francis de Sales . Referred to as "the most popular self-help book." There is a . Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy. It is. This book was like having a saint as your personal spiritual director. CHAPTER XIII. CHAPTER V. The First Step must be Purifying the Soul. True devotion is suitable to all vocations and professions True devotion hinders no one, but rather it perfects everything. He was a fervent proponent of the universal call to holiness and spent much of his time guiding lay people on the road to sanctity. "[7], According to Mark Plaushin O.S.F.S., Francis De Sales' approach is "Christian humanism", an optimism about the human potential for cooperation with God toward redemption. On Poverty of Spirit amid Riches. This daily series of 3 posted chapters at a. By St. Francis de Sales Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V Part First. CHAPTER IV. Introduction to the Devout Life Series - YouTube 0:00 / 2:20 LUTSEN Introduction to the Devout Life Series 1,486 views Jul 23, 2019 Introduction to the Devout Life By St. Francis de. If you are looking to deepen your faith, understand your faith, this book is for you! Privacy. What true Devotion is. A keen and attentive realizing of Gods omnipresence. Dryness If you experience dryness, recourse to vocal prayer, or read a book until you feel reassured to enter back into prayer or stir up your heart with actions or gestures. Small temptations Overall, resisting these lesser temptations provides us with more benefit because they are continual trials for devout and fervent persons. If there ever was a much required and sincere "how-to" guide to bring people back to God while also repairing the interior damage of the self as a result of environment, people and inborn human flaws, Introduction to the Devout Life would be and is, very high on the list, for as he gloriously writes on page 291: "Such are the joys that lure my sight,/All pains grow sweet, all labors light. While the letters are addressed to "Philothea" (Lover of God), they include the substance of correspondence with others as well as Marie de Charmoisy. An Introduction to the Devout Life , his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. Never was anything done well that was done with haste and hurry (152). The Nature and Excellence of Devotion. CHAPTER XI. If you possess them preserve your heart from loving them. CHAPTER VI. PART V. CONTAINING COUNSELS AND PRACTICES FOR RENEWING AND CONFIRMING THE SOUL IN DEVOTION. This is not the first time I have read this classic of Christian spirituality. Of Balls, and other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements. . All Evil Inclinations must be purged away. CHAPTER XI. It is the first in a new series from Ascension press called Christian Classics, and there is a podcast version by Gregory Pine and Jacob Bertrand Janczyk. I've read most of St. Francis de Sales "Catholic Controversy" and had heard only good things about his "Introduction". I was expecting it to be a good read; I was not expecting it to be profoundly insightful. Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayer and Holy Thoughts. The great happiness of man, Philothea, is thus to possess his soul; and the more perfect our patience, the more perfectly do we possess our souls (124). Copyright 2023 Ascension Press. Assuredly nothing can so humble us before the compassion of God as the abundance of His mercies; nothing so humble us before His justice as the abundance of our misdeeds. We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety. If you have glutted yourself with worldly pleasures, it is no wonder that you should find an unsavoury taste in spiritual delights (285). Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Persevere in this blessed undertaking of a devout life . CONTAINING COUNSELS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE. May St. Francis de Sales and his Introduction to the Devout Life encourage you in your pursuit of Christ.. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Introduction to the Devout Life (Im., St. Francis de at the best online prices at eBay! The world We are crucified to the world and the world should be crucified to us. Two striking Illustrations of the same. 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star. An Introduction to the Devout Life, Part 1 by St. Francis de Sales Publication date 2009-05-31 Usage Public Domain Topics Audiobook - Nonfiction, Religion, spirituality How ordinary people in any walk of life can begin a life of deeper love of God, through making prayer and service a part of their everyday routines. Carefully practice the opposite virtue and reflect on the vanity and horror of that particular vice. PART IV. CHAPTER III. Summary. This beautiful book provides inspiration and guidance for all Catholics to deepen their personal relationship with God while living out their unique vocation. In all our actions and prayers we should seek, dwell upon, and meditate on our Saviour (62). The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed. Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis of Sales attempts to help Christians discern what it means to be a child of God in a secular world. A message from theCatholic Classics podcast hosts:St. This masterpiece of Christian literature by a 16th-century priest explains how to live a holy life in the secular world. We must be Faithful in Things Great and Small. This was written specifically for the laity by St. Francis de Sales. If you will not be as sincere and plain as a little child, you shall not then have the sweet reward of childlike simplicity. The Third Point of Preparation, representing the Mystery to be meditated to Your Imagination. ive spent a long time asking and looking around for a solid devotional book. True devotion is the love of God in the highest form. I have produced this example, Philothea, in order that you may know of what importance it is to direct all your actions, be they ever so mean, with a pure intent to the service of Gods Divine Majesty. CHAPTER VII. Of Amusements and Recreations: what are allowable. After the examine Thank God for His help. To which is prefix'd a summary of his life, and adjoyn'd a collection of his choicest maxims. Be the first one to, Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). Classic Catholic book by St. Francis de Sales on how to grow in devotion and holiness in everyday life while living in the world Addeddate 2021-05-25 17:26:06 Identifier an-introduction-to-the-devout-life How to strengthen the Heart against Temptation. Join the movement! This book is indispensable for all Catholics looking to live a devout lifeand fruitful for all others interested in such matters. Make concrete resolution and specify the exact means of carrying it out. Three Important and Final Counsels. It was. St. Francis gives tips to meditate on for each part of the Mass as well. The devout life renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful (6). The historical record suggests that her name was Louise, but somewhere around 2015, scholars start referring to her as Marie) The correspondence began when Madame de Charmoisy, in Annecy, confided to Francis her desire for piety amidst the struggles and distractions associated with life at court. On Gentleness towards Ourselves. It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things. Of Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness. He contends that devotion is not a state necessarily relegated to monks in cloisters, but can be a quality of life to which everyone can aspire. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. The first book of the Catholic Classics series,Introduction to the Devout Life is anupdated translation of St. Francis de Sales original text that makes this key work of Catholic Tradition approachable to modern readers. CHAPTER III. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. Almost all those who have written concerning the devout life have had chiefly in view persons who have altogether quitted the world; or at any rate they have taught a manner of devotion which would lead to such total . The Need of a Guide for those who would enter upon and advance in the Devout Life. Things that I did not recall reading before were powerful this time around. The Nature and Excellence of Devotion. We must learn not only to love our burden, which is done by the virtue of patience, but also to love its attendent abasement, which is done by the virtue of humility (137).. "[8], sfn error: no target: CITEREFFrancis_de_Sales/ed._Ryan_p.33 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFFrancis_de_Sales/ed._Ryan_p.44 (. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly. The Catholic Understanding of Salvation, From Worry to Wonder: A Catholic Guide to Finding Peace Through Scripture, Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress. Francis de Sales's Introduction to the Devout Life has remained a uniquely accessible and relevant treasure of devotion for nearly four hundred years. He takes the reader through the finer points of meditation, establishing a prayer life, integrating with church life, connecting with saints, the use of frequent confession, mass, and partaking of the Eucharist. The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin. Pick one virtue to cultivate or vice to crush. I really just mean that it is one of those books that I will refer back to again and again for spiritual help. CHAPTER II. True devotion is the perfection of charity. This is a Lenten reading of the spiritual classic, Introduction to the Devout Life, authored by Saint Francis de Sales, and read by Father Rob Ketcham. I'll be returning to it many times in the future! CHAPTER XX. Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life. Even if you resisted, have you taken pleasure in the temptation? Life of St. Francis de Sales Introduction was seen immediately as a classic in trying to describe a spirituality that is compatible with any walk of life. Further Advice concerning Intimacies. Be content to simply drive them away. Consider what He is doing, and what you are doing. CHAPTER XV. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Introduction to the Devout Life (Image Classics) at the best online prices at eBay! Introduction to the Devout Life (French: Introduction la vie dvote) is a book written by Saint Francis de Sales, the first edition being published in 1609. All our actions must be offered to God. CHAPTER IX. A hearty Protest made with the object of confirming the Soul's resolution to serve God, as a conclusion to its acts of Penitence. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. The book speaks to what is devotion and why we need devotion. The Impressions which should remain after this Exercise. Let your speech be gentle, frank, sincere, clear, simple, and truthful. The devout life is faithfully represented by Jacobs ladder, True devotion is suitable to all vocations and professions, The necessity of a spiritual guide for progress in the devout life, Part 2: Counsels Concerning the Souls Approach to God in Prayer and the Sacraments, Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayers, and Holy Thoughts, Pick one virtue to cultivate or vice to crush, Part Fourth: Some Needful Remedies Against Ordinary Temptations, Part Fifth: Counsels and Exercises for the Renewing of the Soul, and Her Confirmation in Devotion, Summary of The Rules for Discernment of Spirits by St. Ignatius of Loyola, click here for the PDF of the 10 meditations, 9 Practical Tips from Dubays FireWithin, 7 things I learnt from Catechesi Tradendae byJP2, The Magician's Twin: C.S. CHAPTER XVII. So humility enfolds and conceals all our virtues and human perfections, producing them only at the call of charity, which is not an earthly but a heavenly virtue, not a moral but a divine perfection, and the very sun of all the other virtues, over which she should always preside; and therefore such humility as is opposed to charity is undoubtedly spurious (134). This early 17th century classic is a proven spiritual guide for living an authentic Christian life. How to receive Inspirations. One of the best Catholic classics I have ever read. Battling wisely against temptation Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877, St. Francis is still helping to form saints through his many writings, of which Introduction to the Devout Life is the most famous. How to resist Minor Temptations. But seeing that the small errors people are wont to commit in the beginning of any . The desire to be closer to God that he found in people from all levels of . What does spiritual meditation and prayer look like amid the demands of daily life? Its earnest single focus is the salvation of souls and it is simplyyet not simplea guide to devoutness that goes beyond the monotony of spiritual superficiality. This time I got the audiobook version since I know I will keep coming back to it. On Friendship: Evil and Frivolous Friendship. If your virtue is deeply rooted you can enter into unimportant activities out of charitys sake but be careful if you are only starting out on this path. CHAPTER X. Have a quiet, calm, and persevering repentance. I would be starting back at the beginning again it seems like the sort of book one could profitably read every year except that I have another of his that I want to start in its place. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly. Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayers, and Holy Thoughts Do not fail to long frequently for God by short but ardent efforts of your heart (87). It's written to an imagined devout woman, but really it's written to anyone who is interested in this subject, and even non-Catholic people will find plenty of useful hints in here. CHAPTER VII. The general rules concerning the passions and emotions of our souls is that we should know them by their fruits; our hearts as trees, our affections and passions are the branches, and their actions and deeds the fruit (281). Show more Ratings Friends Following to discover what your friends think of this book! Imagine our Saviour beside or in front of us. One of the many pleasant aspects of this work is that it does not sermonize extreme ways for acquiring grace, but for people who have lived on the opposite side of the moral spectrum far longer than they care to acknowledge, bits of the book may seem very extreme. How to make a General Confession. Confession Confess yourself humbly and devoutly once every week, and always, if possible, before you communicate, even though your conscience should not reproach you with the guilt of mortal sin: for by confession you not only receive absolution from the venial sins you confess, but likewise strength to avoid them, light to discern them well, and grace to repair all the damage you may have sustained by them. "St.Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life, 1609-2009", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Introduction_to_the_Devout_Life&oldid=1147852219, Part I: Attaining a Firm Resolution to the Devout Life. i am excited to re read it - and move through it on my own time. CHAPTER XVII. Remember then frequently to retire into the solitude of your heart, even whilst you are externally occupied in business or society (84). The devout life is faithfully represented by Jacobs ladder. Of Holy Communion, and how to join in it. In essence I worked through the book twice. For instance, if I have resolved to win those who annoy me by gentleness, I will seek the opportunity of addressing them kindly, but if the occasion does not present itself, I will speak well of them, and pray for them (75). How to Hear and Read God's Word. this book gave me everything i was looking for and more. Making spiritual progress through daily, monthly, and yearly exercises **. He is not too strict, and always leaves some degree of liberty for well-formed people, as in chapter 34: From my 100-word recommendations on my blog, Contemplative Homeschool: I apologize for taking so long to write this reviewhere it is! CHAPTER XXXVI. Preaching during the Counter-Reformation, he is estimated to have converted 70,000 Calvinists in his lifetime. Be poor in spirit. So far the best translation I saw was. CONTAINING SUNDRY COUNSELS AS TO UPLIFTING THE SOUL TO GOD IN PRAYER AND THE USE OF THE SACRAMENTS. i know this will be a bedside book for a long long time. I've seen some translations online that honestly are hard to read and boring due to all the old expressions (they seem to just drag on and on - rather than crisply conveying what they are meant to convey). The discipline of purification can and must cease only with our life, therefore be not discouraged by infirmities; our perfection consists in struggling against them (15). Wherever we may be, we can and should aspire to the perfect life."[6]. 0 Ratings 10 Want to read; 0 Currently reading; 0 Have read When we are in society, associate with the virtuous and devout as much as possible. CHAPTER I. This took me almost all year to read, because I read it a bit at a time, but it was amazing. We must develop a spirit of resistance, strengthened by continual prayer, participation in the Sacraments, and trust in God. Reveal temptations to your spiritual director. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. I place this book in the same league as that classic The Imitation of Christ by Thomas of Kempis. All temptations are never permitted by God save to those whom He purposes to exalt in His pure and excellent love (259). It is a great happiness for a Christian to be actually rich but poor in spirit, for thus he can use wealth and its advantages in this world and yet have the merit of poverty as regards the next (164). probably best to journal along side as there are many reflective questions and insights to consider. CHAPTER XXIV. For though being vowed, and especially solemnly, they place a man in the state of perfection; yet, to arrive at perfection itself, they must be observed, there being a very great difference between the state of perfection and perfection itself; since all bishops and religious are in a state of perfection; and yet, alas, all have not arrived at perfection itself, as is too plainly to be seen. 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