CHAPTER XXXIX. CHAPTER XXII. Part III, Chapter 5. Written over 400 years ago, the Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. Of Holy Communion, and how to join in it. 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). Things that spoke to me in the past did not this time. Language updates that make the text accessible without changing its meaning or message, Aleather-like cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon. CHAPTER XXXIV. These three branches of the spiritual cross are grounded on a fourth, viz., humility. Why can setting aside daily time for silent prayer and meditation seem like such a daunting task? His feast is celebrated on January 24. Therefore, you must preserve both thoughts/desires and external senses. So far the best translation I saw was. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession. As Bishop of Geneva in the first quarter of the seventeenth century, Francis de Sales saw to the spiritual needs of everyone . True devotion is the perfection of charity. Be ready for martyrdom but in the meantime meekly endure all little evils, trifling inconveniences, and unimportant losses, which happen daily; for by using these little opportunities with a good and loving purpose you will overcome your heart and have it entirely under control (222). CHAPTER V. Encouragement for the Tempted Soul. CHAPTER I. Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. Copyright 2023 Ascension Press. When I saw in the Life of St. Catherine of Sienna her many raptures and elevations of spirit, her many words of wisdom, nay, even sermons uttered by her, I doubted not but that, with the eye of contemplation, she had ravished the heart of her Heavenly Spouse. This time I got the audiobook version since I know I will keep coming back to it. Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life. Anxiety anxiety is the souls greatest enemy, sin only excepted. [4] According to poet Kathleen Norris, "De Saless easy way of employing images from nature is one of the great pleasures of his book. The devout life "renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful" (6). Great fires flame all the more when the wind blows, but a little fire will be altogether extinguished unless it be sheltered (221). Pray 12-minutes a day to help God save America. We must be Faithful in Things Great and Small. Let us be firm in our plans and unchanging in our resolutions. Written over 400 years ago, the Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. Pray 12 minutes a day to help God save America. Faithfully render'd into English. $1.99; $1.99; Publisher Description. CHAPTER X. Since our possessions are not our own but rather gifts from God to cultivate them, we must take great care to render them useful and fruitful. PART I. See all formats and editions. Introduction to the Devout Life enjoyed wide popularity, and was well received in both Protestant and Catholic circles, evidenced by its translation into all major languages of the day. Download the free reading plan here. Gentleness perfects us towards our neighbor. Pick one virtue to cultivate or vice to crush. What I particularly enjoy is his insistence on different spiritual acts for people in different states of life. (5) Be courageous and patient increase your good works. He goes on to also discuss how one can become spiritually dry, and strategies to combat that dryness. Learn how the Bible, theCatechism, and Narnia are connected! 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. If we persevere, we shall gradually, by the help of His grace, learn to speak, to act and will like Him (61). Description of True Devotion 1 II. The most profitable humiliations are those that God sends us and those that are most opposed to our natural inclinations. Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly In doing so, any loss will not deprive us of composure or tranquility. CHAPTER III. * The story of St. Catherine of Siena being assaulted with temptations and Jesus revealed that He was within her heart filling it with displeasure and resistance to refuse all consent to the sin. CHAPTER XI. Without it repose is but idleness, labour but trouble; therefore, I beseech you, cleave steadily to it, and never forsake it (91). This book was written for people with desire to be closer to God, a desire DeSales found on all levels of society, and the reason he wrote this book. CHAPTER II. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. Referred to as "the most popular self-help book." There is a . 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. (4) Holy submission to God Abandon yourself entirely to Gods Providence, willing that He should do what He will with you amidst your thorns and your desires (286). Without this chief fruit of meditation, it becomes not only useless but positively hurtful, for our mind is apt to rest satisfied with the consideration instead of the practice of virtues, till we persuade ourselves that wearewhat we haveresolved to be this is all very well if our resolutions are active and solid, but if not, it is a vain and dangerous error therefore we should always endeavour to put them in practice, and seek every occasion for so doing. There is always greater benefit and comfort to be derived from the public service of the Church than from private devotions (95). Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. [2] It was first published in January 1609. This masterpiece of Christian literature by a 16th-century priest explains how to live a holy life in the secular world. When Temptation and Delectation are Sin. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. All Evil Inclinations must be purged away. Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards our Neighbour. CHAPTER VIII. 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. CHAPTER XIV. 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. 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. Q. "The devout life is faithfully represented by Jacob's ladder. (LogOut/ 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). Summary. Written for Christians in every walk of life and for every age, St. Francis De Sales' classic work transcends secular lines and provides a unique handbook of spiritual reflection for people in every avenue of life. Receive Jesus in Holy Communion. De Sales explained: "I address my words to Philothea, since I wish to direct what was first written to one person alone to the general benefit of many souls; "[3], Unlike many other writings in this category, it is distinguished by addressing itself to all Christians in any state of life, rather than to just those who have been called to a religious vocation. Humility Humility is found through reflecting on both (1) Gods mercies and favors towards us and (2) our ingratitude, imperfection, and sins against Him. If you are looking to deepen your faith, understand your faith, this book is for you! One thing more, dear reader. PART I. May St. Francis de Sales and his Introduction to the Devout Life encourage you in your pursuit of Christ.. We must be gentle towards ourselves look upon your faults with a calm, collected, and firm displeasure. Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy. Read Full Description Details SKU: 9781954881587 ISBN: 9781954881587 Weight: 1.821 lb This took me almost all year to read, because I read it a bit at a time, but it was amazing. St. Francis de Sales' perennial classic of spiritual direction. You will also practise the virtues of humility, obedience, sincerity, charity; nay, in a word, in this one act of confession you can exercise more virtues than in any other whatsoever. CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. Let us endeavour then, Philothea, to practise well these virtues, each one according to his vocation; for though they do not place us in the state of perfection, yet they will make us perfect: and, indeed, everyone is obliged to practise them, though not all after the same manner (154). 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. CHAPTER XVI. Of Conversation; and, first, how to Speak of God. Paperback. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Join the movement! A message from theCatholic Classics podcast hosts:St. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. CHAPTER IV. St. Francis of Sales: Introduction to the Devout Life - Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Humility makes us rejoice in our own Abjection. CHAPTER III. How to combine due care for a Good Reputation with Humility. This beautiful book provides inspiration and guidance for all Catholics to deepen their personal relationship with God while living out their unique vocation. CHAPTER VIII. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly Evening exercise gratitude, examination, offer to God yourself, ask for protection. CHAPTER VII. Remedies against Evil Friendships. Gentleness towards others and Remedies against Anger. ), PRAY WITH CATHOLICS EVERYWHERE TO SAVE AMERICA, Devotion is Suitable to Every Vocation and Profession, The Need of a Guide for Those Who Would Enter Upon and Advance in the Devout Life, The First Step Must be Purifying the Soul, The First Purification, Namely, From Mortal Sin, The Second Purification, From All Sinful Affections, Second Meditation - On the End for Which We Were Created, Ninth Meditation - On the Choice Open to You Between Heaven and Hell, Tenth Meditation - On How the Soul Chooses the Devout Life, A Hearty Protest Made with the Object of Confirming the Soul's Resolution to Serve God, as a Conclusion to its Acts of Penitence, The Necessity of Purging Away All Tendency to Venial Sins, It is Needful to Put Away All Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things, All Evil Inclinations Must be Purged Away, A Short Method of Meditation, and first, the Presence of God, the First Point of Preparation, Invocation, the Second Point of Preparation, The Third Point of Preparation, Representing the Mystery to be Meditated to Your Imagination, Considerations, the Second Part of Meditation, The Third Part of Meditation, Affections and Resolutions, Evening Prayer and Examination of Conscience, Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayer, and Holy Thoughts, How to Select That Which We Should Chiefly Practise, Humility Makes Us Rejoice in Our Own Abjection, How to Combine Due Care for a Good Reputation with Humility, Gentleness Towards Others and Remedies Against Anger, We Must Attend to the Business of Life Carefully, but Without Eagerness or Over-Anxiety, How to Exercise Real Poverty, Although Actually Rich, How to Possess a Rich Spirit Amid Real Poverty, Friendship: Evil and Frivolous Friendship, The Difference Between True and False Friendship, Conversation; and, First, How to Speak of God, Unseemly Words, and the Respect Due to Others, Amusements and Recreations: What are Allowable, Balls, and Other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements, We Must be Faithful in Things Great and Small, We Must Not Trifle with the Words of Worldly Wisdom, Temptations, and the Difference Between Experiencing Them and Consenting to Them, How to Strengthen the Heart Against Temptation, Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and How to Receive Them, It is Well Yearly to Renew Good Resolutions by Means of the Following Exercises, Meditation on the Benefit Conferred on us by God in Calling us to His Service, Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life, Examination of the Soul's Condition as Regards God, Examination of your Condition as Regards Yourself, Examination of the Soul's Condition as Regards our Neighbour, Examination as to the Affections of the Soul, The Affections to be Excited After Such Examination, Reflections Suitable to the Renewal of Good Resolutions, First Consideration - On the Worth of Souls, Second Consideration - On the Excellence of Virtue, General Affections Which Should Result From These Considerations, and Conclusion of the Exercise, The Impressions which should remain after this Exercise, An Answer to Two Objections Which may be Made to This Book. Plaushin O.S.F.S., Mark. 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. Have a quiet, calm, and persevering repentance. Highly recommend for anyone looking for concrete advice on the spiritual life! It is a favourable feature of this war, that so long as we will fight, we must be victorious (15). Have you voluntarily brought on the sin yourself? If you earnestly desire to be delivered from some evil, or to attain some good, above all things calm and tranquilize your mind and compose your judgement and will; then quietly and gently pursue your aim, adopting suitable means with some method (272). OUR LADY: THIS BEAUTIFUL SACRED OBJECT PROTECTS YOUR FAMILY, THIS AMAZING BESTSELLER WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE (ONLY $1! Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly. St. John the Evangelist, as Cassian relates, amusing himself one day with a partridge on his hand, was asked by a huntsman: How such a man as he could spend his time in so unprofitable a manner? Obedience consecrates our heart, chastity our body, and poverty our means to the love and service of God. 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). The necessity of a spiritual guide for progress in the devout life The path of humble obedience and full trust that God is working fully through him. Change). Perfection lies in entertaining no friendships that are not pure, holy, and sacred (179). How remedy Minor Temptations. Daily & yearly renewal -Just as a clock must be wind up daily and taken apart each year to prevent rust, we must renew our devotion daily and do a thorough examine each year. The devout life renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful (6). 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