On Gentleness towards Ourselves. CHAPTER II. St. Francis gives tips to meditate on for each part of the Mass as well. this book gave me everything i was looking for and more. Join the movement! We must be gentle towards ourselves look upon your faults with a calm, collected, and firm displeasure. Gather your spirit into the oratory of your heart and lay open your soul and speak face to face with God (84). (5) Be courageous and patient increase your good works. General Affections which should result from these Considerations, and Conclusion of the Exercise. When we are in society, associate with the virtuous and devout as much as possible. CHAPTER I. How can virtues be pursued and vices rooted out when temptations and occasions of sin abound? Advice and encouragement for lay Catholics pursuing a personal relationship with God from a Doctor of the Church. Concluding the meditation Make the following 3 acts with utmost humility: (1)Thanksgiving, (2) Oblation, (3) Intercession. prev : next . 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. However, it is not meant to be interpreted that way, merely as a catalyst to a newer and brighter beginning. Sketch of the Life of St. Francis of Sales v A Dedicatory Prayer xiii The Author's Preface xv PART THE FIRST CONTAINING THE COUNSELS AND EXERCISES NECESSARY FOR CONDUCTING THE SOUL FROM ITS FIRST DESIRE FOR THE DEVOUT LIFE TO A FULL RESOLUTION TO EMBRACE IT I. How to effect this Second Purification. (3) A composition of place use your imagination to place yourself in the Gospel scene (if possible). Of Balls, and other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements. 1st Part: Instructions and exercises for conducting the soul from her first desire for a devout life till she is brought to a full resolution of embracing it. [4] According to poet Kathleen Norris, "De Saless easy way of employing images from nature is one of the great pleasures of his book. CHAPTER III. Introduction to the Devout Life is one of the great religious and devotional masterpieces. Try to meet the occupations which come upon you quietly, and perform them with regularity, one after the other; for if you endeavor to do them all at once, or in confusion, your spirit will be so overcharged and depressed that it will probably sink under the burden without accomplishing anything (152). sdegutis So far the best translation I saw was. CONTAINING NEEDFUL COUNSELS CONCERNING SOME ORDINARY TEMPTATIONS. CHAPTER I. Referred to as "the most popular self-help book." There is a . Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. CHAPTER III. Humility perfects us towards God. CHAPTER IV. How the Saints are united to us. The Nature and Excellence of Devotion. Description of True Devotion 1 II. 4/5. CHAPTER III. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. CHAPTER XXI. Humility consists in really knowing and freely acknowledging our abasement. Whether you are just beginning your spiritual journey or are more advanced in the spiritual life, youll be able to apply this timeless wisdom immediately. That is the gist of this work; for those individuals (which would indeed, unfortunately, be a large numer) who are not destined for a religious vocation or a life of monastic contemplation, the lessons contained within the Introduction to the Devout Life (if at least minutely adhered to) can become a moral and religious compass for individuals who are frightfully lost as a result of the freewheeling sexualization of society, unrepentant, insolent amour propre, the rise of unceasing materialism and other debasing wounds that can cause spiritual deadness and thus can become none too quick to heal. This habit of spiritual retirement and ejaculatory prayer is the keystone of devotion, and can supply the defects of all your other prayers; but nothing else can supply its place. The devout life renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful (6). In essence I worked through the book twice. CHAPTER XXXIX. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. See all formats and editions. Fr. Wheresoever we may be, we may and should aim at a life of perfect devotion (10). * 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. Search Introduction to the Devout Life: Preface by the Author Part I: Attaining a Firm Resolution to the Devout Life The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. Friendship The more your friendship stands on the foundation of virtue, the more perfect it will be. Francis saw the pursuit of holiness as something possible to each and every Christian, regardless of vocation, temperament or age. Copyright 2023 Ascension Press. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly. Francis de Sales's Introduction to the Devout Life has remained a uniquely accessible and relevant treasure of devotion for nearly four hundred years. All rights reserved. The desire to be closer to God that he found in people from all levels of . The devout life is faithfully represented by Jacobs ladder. Actions We must be faithful in things great and small. It's broken up into small "chapters" so it's great to read just one little tidbit each day. First and foremost, this book is a manual, a manual on how seek, find, and create a devout life, a life devoted to God. If you will not be as sincere and plain as a little child, you shall not then have the sweet reward of childlike simplicity. CHAPTER XVII. Pray 12-minutes a day to help God save America. Never was anything done well that was done with haste and hurry (152). Language updates that make the text accessible without changing its meaning or message, Aleather-like cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon. CHAPTER XVI. Free shipping for many products! 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. Wherever we may be, we can and should aspire to the perfect life."[6]. CHAPTER II. We are not always able to banish the temptation but we can take no pleasure in the sin and refuse consent. Anxiety anxiety is the souls greatest enemy, sin only excepted. PART V. CONTAINING COUNSELS AND PRACTICES FOR RENEWING AND CONFIRMING THE SOUL IN DEVOTION. CHAPTER VI. This beautiful book provides inspiration and guidance for all Catholics to deepen their personal relationship with God while living out their unique vocation. ReadFullDescription. "Ogden O.S.F.S., Edward. 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). Mark-Mary, CFR, the Director of Communications for the Franciscan Friars of the Renew Sign up to get the first look at Ascension's newest programs and offerings! Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy. The devout life is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life (6). Because, answered the huntsman, if it were always bent I fear it would lose its spring and become useless. How to receive Inspirations. In his Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis de Sales wrote: "I speak here of a general renewal of the heart and complete conversion of your soul to God by undertaking a devout life, it seems to me thatyou should faithfully practice the following meditations. CHAPTER XXIV. Do not contradict anyone, unless there is harm or sin in consenting & therefore do it gently. CHAPTER II. ", A good translation is so important*. Without it you cannot follow the contemplative life well, nor the active life without danger. He teaches on how to perfect ones lifestyle to make these changes permanent. Search the history of over 804 billion CHAPTER XXXIII. St. Francis de Sales is deeply influenced by the thought of St. Philip Neri and embraces some elements of the life of the laity that were previously thought sinful. Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards our Neighbour. 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. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. Subtotal (Discounts are applied at checkout), A Catholic Guide to Narnia: Questions and Activities for the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Are You Saved? "Why St. Francis de Saless Devout Life still resonates today". Remedies against Evil Friendships. Small temptations Overall, resisting these lesser temptations provides us with more benefit because they are continual trials for devout and fervent persons. CHAPTER VIII. This book was like having a saint as your personal spiritual director. Remember that one day of devotion is worth more than a thousand years of worldly gratification (252). CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER VII. Humble yourself & beg His help. Of the other Public Offices of the Church. The Nature and Excellency of Devotion 3 III. Chastity has its origin in the heart and its substance in the body. Therefore, you must preserve both thoughts/desires and external senses. St. Francis recommends a general confession as the most profitable beginning to start the devout life (16). CHAPTER XXVII. True devotion is the perfection of charity. Highly recommend for anyone looking for concrete advice on the spiritual life! Gentleness perfects us towards our neighbor. Let your speech be gentle, frank, sincere, clear, simple, and truthful. ), 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. It is too true that I who write about the devout life am not myself devout, but most certainly I am not without the wish to become so, and it is this wish which encourages me to teach you. A keen and attentive realizing of Gods omnipresence. 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). Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession. Two striking Illustrations of the same. Second Consideration--on the Excellence of Virtue. CHAPTER III. Lewis and the Case against Scientism, Summary of Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila, Summary of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy, Summary of The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, Summary of Vatican II's Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests "Presbyterorum Ordinis". Get help and learn more about the design. We must develop a spirit of resistance, strengthened by continual prayer, participation in the Sacraments, and trust in God. There is always greater benefit and comfort to be derived from the public service of the Church than from private devotions (95). Evening exercise gratitude, examination, offer to God yourself, ask for protection. Norris, Kathleen. Of a Well-Balanced, Reasonable Mind. "The devout life is faithfully represented by Jacob's ladder. We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety. Love poverty and the poor; for by this love you will become truly poor yourself, since we become like to that which we love (167). CHAPTER VI. #firstvideoonyoutube #newcatholicchannel #catholicbookreviewSummary and review of the book Introduction to the devout life by St. Francis de Sales.You can buy the book here: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/saints/books-by-saints/an-introduction-to-the-devout-life/?rfsn=7080582.365fbeOr on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3M47lv7By using the link above you support my channel as I get paid a small percentage of your purchase. I place this book in the same league as that classic The Imitation of Christ by Thomas of Kempis. Of Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness. A seminal work of faith. 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. CHAPTER IV. We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and throughout the endless ages of eternity. In short, devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness by means of which Divine Love works in us, and causes us to work briskly and lovingly; and just as charity leads us to a general practice of all God's Commandments, so devotion leads us to practise them readily and diligently. CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER III. Faithfully render'd into English. **. 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. He presents spirituality in simple, ordinary French with references to images from daily life and popular and natural history. The Third Point of Preparation, representing the Mystery to be meditated to Your Imagination. 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). 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. Introduction to the Devout Life is a compilation of letters and notes used in the spiritual direction of his cousin, Madame Marie de Charmoisy, the wife of an ambassador of the Duke of Savoy. CHAPTER VI. Pray 12 minutes a day to help God save America. 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. Summary. 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. (LogOut/ First Consideration--of the Worth of Souls. To you however, my child, I would teach a deeper humility, for that of which I have been speaking is almost more truly to be called worldly wisdom than humility. Three Important and Final Counsels. Of Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and how to receive them. To as & quot ; the devout life is faithfully represented by Jacob & # x27 d. In consenting & therefore do it gently i was looking for concrete advice the... In God to a newer and brighter beginning towards ourselves look upon your faults with a calm collected!, pleasant, and grateful ( 6 ) in society, associate with the.. Freely acknowledging our abasement Consideration -- of the worth of souls is always benefit. 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