Language updates that make the text accessible without changing its meaning or message, Aleather-like cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon. Temptations The 3 degrees by which we fall into sin temptation, delectation, and consent. Make surethat these are truly internal dispositions and not just external actions. How to prepare for temptations Once you are aware of your predominate temptations, let your way of life be altogether opposed to them in thought, word, and deed. EXCELLENT BOOK! There are some persons who dare not or will not think about the graces with which God has endowed them, fearing lest they should become self . We are not always able to banish the temptation but we can take no pleasure in the sin and refuse consent. CHAPTER XVII. Receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. . "[5] "It is an error, or rather a heresy, to wish to banish the devout life from the regiment of soldiers, the mechanic's shop, the court of princes, or the home of married people. Introduction to the Devout Life Frivolous Attachments. Fr. Andrew Hanson CCEL Intern Popularity 82% Available formats Read online Read on mobile Download For example, boldly acknowledge that you would rather die than commit amortal sin. Therefore, you must preserve both thoughts/desires and external senses. Further Counsels as to Conversation. True devotion iswhen charity reaches that point of perfection wherein it not only causes us to do good but to do it earnestly, frequently, and readily (4) and in carrying out Gods heavenly inspirations and counsels of perfection (5). How to effect this Second Purification. 4/5. 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! 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. Paperback. Make concrete resolution and specify the exact means of carrying it out. The Necessity of Prayer Mental prayer the prayer of the heart based on the life and passion of our Lord is what St. Francis recommends the most. It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things. 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). Gather your spirit into the oratory of your heart and lay open your soul and speak face to face with God (84). Because, answered the huntsman, if it were always bent I fear it would lose its spring and become useless. Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly True devotion is suitable to all vocations and professions True devotion hinders no one, but rather it perfects everything. First Consideration--of the Worth of Souls. 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". ), PRAY WITH CATHOLICS EVERYWHERE TO SAVE AMERICA. Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions. 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. CHAPTER VI. A message from theCatholic Classics podcast hosts:St. CHAPTER V. Encouragement for the Tempted Soul. The Love which Jesus Christ bears to us. 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. It is well yearly to renew Good Resolutions by means of the following Exercises. CHAPTER XV. In all our actions and prayers we should seek, dwell upon, and meditate on our Saviour (62). Privacy. CHAPTER II. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. [4] According to poet Kathleen Norris, "De Saless easy way of employing images from nature is one of the great pleasures of his book. Society and Solitude As a general rule, we should always preserve a quiet cheerfulness of manner. The devout life renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful (6). Plaushin O.S.F.S., Mark. * St. Francis provides 10 meditations to help us make the 1st step in purifying us from all sin (click here for the PDF of the 10 meditations) *. #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. These writings are conveniently divided into small sections of advice. Consolation must encourage us to humility and good works. To purify yourself from your imperfections. $1.99; $1.99; Publisher Description. CHAPTER XI. 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. So far the best translation I saw was. [2] It was first published in January 1609. I place this book in the same league as that classic The Imitation of Christ by Thomas of Kempis. The description of this edition of this book is: ENGLISH: An excellent devotional book, not in the least dated because it was written over four centuries ago. CHAPTER VIII. Introduction to the Devout Life (Catholic Classics). Be the first one to, Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). If you possess them preserve your heart from loving them. We must hate sin with a hearty, vigorous contrition and detest every affection, circumstance, and inducement which tends towards it. This beautiful book provides inspiration and guidance for all Catholics to deepen their personal relationship with God while living out their unique vocation. CHAPTER IX. Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. (Marie de Charmoisy, or Louise de Charmoisy? CHAPTER I. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. PART III. Humility consists in really knowing and freely acknowledging our abasement. ), 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. But it is the great perfection of heavenly love to make those who love God suffer and fight for his love, not knowing whether they possess the love for which and by which they fight (258). Of Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and how to receive them. Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. Fr. Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales The most popular Catholic self-help book of all time is written for laymen. CHAPTER XXXIX. YOU aim at a devout life, dear child, because as a Christian you know that such devotion is most acceptable to God's Divine Majesty. I'll be returning to it many times in the future! Reading this volume was a bit of a different process. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Remember then frequently to retire into the solitude of your heart, even whilst you are externally occupied in business or society (84). Renew the protestation given in Part I after the meditations on the 1st day of each month and when you feel any slackening in your soul. 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. The "Introduction" is composed of five parts or "books", each pertaining to a stage in the Christian's spiritual journey. Gentleness perfects us towards our neighbor. Preaching during the Counter-Reformation, he is estimated to have converted 70,000 Calvinists in his short lifetime. to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and throughout the endless ages of eternity. ", A good translation is so important*. Read Full Description Details SKU: 9781954881587 ISBN: 9781954881587 Weight: 1.821 lb Chastity has its origin in the heart and its substance in the body. Further Advice concerning Intimacies. I found this edition the most authentic one: February 4, 2012: Finished it today and it has renewed my enthusiasm to reread all the spiritual classics and not just read them, but live them. 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 Her manner of meditating was as follows: Whilst she was dressing meat for her father she imagined that she was preparing it for our Saviour, like another St. Martha, and that her mother held the place of Our Blessed Lady, and her brothers that of the apostles: exciting herself in this manner to serve the whole court of heaven in spirit, whilst she employed herself with great delight in these low services, because she knew such was the will of God. The devout life "renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful" (6). CHAPTER II. The NEW and EXPANDED Edition of the best-selling Deluxe Then and Now Bible Maps! How to resist temptations Immediately fly to God and seek His mercy and His help. 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. Amazingly, it grows with me. Book 4 considers how to better resist or avoid temptation, while Book 5 is about increasing virtue and staying committed to a devout life. CHAPTER V. The First Step must be Purifying the Soul. CHAPTER VI. All Evil Inclinations must be purged away. 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. Amusements recreation is good to relax the mind and body but we must guard against excess either in the time they occupy or in the importance given to them (for then they become evils as soon as they absorb the heart). 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. Change). Evening exercise gratitude, examination, offer to God yourself, ask for protection. Things that spoke to me in the past did not this 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). . Search the history of over 804 billion Pray 12 minutes a day to help God save America. St. Francis de Sales' perennial classic of spiritual direction. 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. CHAPTER XIV. Wherever we may be, we can and should aspire to the perfect life."[6]. We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety. CHAPTER VIII. At the heart of his message is the conviction that God has made us for himself and that our Lord offers himself in prayer and sacrament as we grow in virtue and heal from vice. 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. Of Balls, and other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements. MUST, MUST read for all who are interested in furthering their religious life. All temptations are never permitted by God save to those whom He purposes to exalt in His pure and excellent love (259). Why can setting aside daily time for silent prayer and meditation seem like such a daunting task? The Affections to be excited after such Examination. On Gentleness towards Ourselves. CHAPTER XIII. It's aimed at laypeople, to show how devout life is possible no matter what one does in life, that devout life is not just for the clergy or monastic life. Dont waste your time dwelling on any trifling temptation. Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. Be careful and diligent in work but never hurried or anxious. PART I. 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. Persevere We must be patient and persevere in the path of Christian perfection. CONTAINING COUNSELS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE. Faithfully render'd into English. This book is indispensable for all Catholics looking to live a devout lifeand fruitful for all others interested in such matters. on the Internet. 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? Things that I did not recall reading before were powerful this time around. Advice to married persons there is no union so precious and so fruitful between husband and wife as that of holy devotion, in which they should mutually lead each and sustain each other it is truly a blessed state in which the faithful husband and wife sanctify one another in the sincere fear of the Lord (235). The work is also used as a guide in Christian spiritual direction.[1]. How remedy Minor Temptations. Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. Awareness that God dwells in your heart and spirit. "[8], sfn error: no target: CITEREFFrancis_de_Sales/ed._Ryan_p.33 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFFrancis_de_Sales/ed._Ryan_p.44 (. 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