Meditation on the Benefit conferred on us by God in calling us to His Service. Francis de Sales's Introduction to the Devout Life has remained a uniquely accessible and relevant treasure of devotion for nearly four hundred years. We must be gentle towards ourselves look upon your faults with a calm, collected, and firm displeasure. **. Conversation When you speak of God, let it be done with reverence, devotion, gentleness, charity, and humility. To purify yourself from your imperfections. Turn your heart to Jesus Christ crucified and kiss His sacred feet. prev : next . probably best to journal along side as there are many reflective questions and insights to consider. Read & meditate on Sacred things. We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! Been reading this every couple of years for Lent. In order to cure our faults, it is doubtless well to mortify the flesh, but above all we must purify our affections, and renew our hearts, and it is advisable never to adopt bodily mortifications without the direction of our spiritual guide (193). CHAPTER II. 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). Two striking Illustrations of the same. Let us be firm in our plans and unchanging in our resolutions. 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. 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. on May 25, 2021, Classic Catholic book by St. Francis de Sales on how to grow in devotion and holiness in everyday life while living in the world, There are no reviews yet. However, it is not meant to be interpreted that way, merely as a catalyst to a newer and brighter beginning. 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. 2 sorts of persons ought to communicate frequently: Your chief aim in Holy Communion should be to advance, strengthen, and comfort yourself in the love of God; receiving for loves sake, what love alone can give (112). 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. You will always find His eyes fixed upon you with unchangeable love (84). 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. INTRODUCTION To A DEVOUT LIFE. CHAPTER I. This was written specifically for the laity by St. Francis de Sales. It was. The Impressions which should remain after this Exercise. * If the temptation continues, hasten in spirit to embrace Jesus crucified on the Cross and promise Him not to yield and ask His aid. The devout life is faithfully represented by Jacobs ladder. Friendship The more your friendship stands on the foundation of virtue, the more perfect it will be. (223). Have you voluntarily brought on the sin yourself? CHAPTER XXXVIII. A hearty Protest made with the object of confirming the Soul's resolution to serve God, as a conclusion to its acts of Penitence. 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). I'd never put it away, it needs to be a regular reference. True devotion is the love of God in the highest form. Of Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness. External Mortification We must begin mortification from within. St. Francis of Sales: Introduction to the Devout Life - Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The Need of a Guide for those who would enter upon and advance in the Devout Life. Small temptations Overall, resisting these lesser temptations provides us with more benefit because they are continual trials for devout and fervent persons. (3) A composition of place use your imagination to place yourself in the Gospel scene (if possible). 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. How to effect this Second Purification. So far the best translation I saw was. ReadFullDescription. In all our actions and prayers we should seek, dwell upon, and meditate on our Saviour (62). He offers exercises to strengthen ones resolution to the devout life, an annual personal examination to assess one's status, progress, or backsliding, and finally offers concluding counsels. If during vocal prayer your heart is drawn to mental prayer, do not restrain it, but let your devotion take that channel (except if bound to recite the Office). CHAPTER VI. Privacy. CHAPTER XIII. CONTAINING SUNDRY COUNSELS AS TO UPLIFTING THE SOUL TO GOD IN PRAYER AND THE USE OF THE SACRAMENTS. 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. Infallibly true to anyone who strives for Sainthood. Actions We must be faithful in things great and small. CHAPTER XVII. 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. Make concrete resolution and specify the exact means of carrying it out. 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. Second Consideration--on the Excellence of Virtue. St. John said to him: Why do you not carry your bow always bent? Be poor in spirit. What true Devotion is. Because, answered the huntsman, if it were always bent I fear it would lose its spring and become useless. CHAPTER XXIII. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. This is not the first time I have read this classic of Christian spirituality. CHAPTER X. (LogOut/ Francis saw the pursuit of holiness as something possible to each and every Christian, regardless of vocation, temperament or age. Always entertain a sincere hatred of the sins you confess, even though they be trifling, and a heartfelt resolution to amend Accuse yourself honestly and simply of the special omission or commission (104). 4 ways to do this (only choose 1 and keep it short and simple): (2) Invocation Humble yourself before God and ask for thegrace to serve and worship Him in your meditation. How to resist Minor Temptations. Temptations The 3 degrees by which we fall into sin temptation, delectation, and consent. Perfection lies in entertaining no friendships that are not pure, holy, and sacred (179). CHAPTER XIII. Concluding the meditation Make the following 3 acts with utmost humility: (1)Thanksgiving, (2) Oblation, (3) Intercession. Great fires flame all the more when the wind blows, but a little fire will be altogether extinguished unless it be sheltered (221). CHAPTER VI. The world is an unjust judge, partial and indulgent to its own children, but harsh and rigorous towards the children of God (250). If not, (1) humble yourself and (2) ask for Gods help. 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. Book 4 considers how to better resist or avoid temptation, while Book 5 is about increasing virtue and staying committed to a devout life. The Conclusion and Spiritual Bouquet. The Eternal Love of God for us. But more importantly, in the Introduction to the Devout Life, "St. Francis de Sales gives one of the clearest statements in religious literature of the theory and practice of the purgative way, the illuminative way, and the unitive way, the three levels of thought and conduct that are required for a completely moral and religious life" Page 14. His feast is celebrated on January 24. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. 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. ", A good translation is so important*. I shall say nothing of these three virtues, when they are solemnly vowed, because this subject concerns religious orders only; nor even when they are simply vowed; for though a vow may add many graces and merits to virtues, yet, to make us perfect, it is not necessary that vows should be made, provided they be observed. I didn't know how old this book was until just! CHAPTER II. All rights reserved. Preaching during the Counter-Reformation, he is estimated to have converted 70,000 Calvinists in his short lifetime. Written over 400 years ago, 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. Like The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, it is considered a spiritual classic in the Christian tradition. It is. CHAPTER VI. We can glorify God in a secular world, and be a testimony to the world of God's abounding grace and love. We must (1) forsake, reject, and detest all sin, (2) dedicate our whole beings to serve and love God, (3) speedily rise again after any falls. For you the price doesn't change Rating system:10/10 breathtaking, must read9/10 really good 8/10 good 7/10 good (maybe not for everyone)6/10 and less: I try to read good books lol so that rating should not occurRead online for free: English: https://www.catholicspiritualdirection.org/devoutlife.pdfGerman: https://docplayer.org/111125200-Franz-von-sales-philothea.htmlListen online for free:English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ioi2BXMaA\u0026t=1sGerman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY3fyfy1sPQYou can contact me here: thebiblicalbookworm@gmail.com (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). Fresh wounds are always the easiest to heal make immediate reparation for faults. 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. The world We are crucified to the world and the world should be crucified to us. CHAPTER VI. To which is prefix'd a summary of his life, and adjoyn'd a collection of his choicest maxims. CHAPTER III. Humility Humility is found through reflecting on both (1) Gods mercies and favors towards us and (2) our ingratitude, imperfection, and sins against Him. CHAPTER XXVI. Therefore, you must preserve both thoughts/desires and external senses. Patience Patience in all trials is the key to possessing our souls. May St. Francis de Sales and his Introduction to the Devout Life encourage you in your pursuit of Christ.. Use utmost care and diligence in resisting these. Concerning Dryness in Meditation. This took me almost all year to read, because I read it a bit at a time, but it was amazing. This daily series of 3 posted chapters at a. 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. CHAPTER XX. ** Above all, you must be careful to retain the resolutions to which you have come through meditation, on your return to active duties. Charles Borromeo had a great influence on Francis de Sales because of his pastoral approach to bringing devotion to the Christian in the world. CHAPTER XXII. When to use such Amusements rightly. CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS AND EXERCISES FOR CONDUCTING THE SOUL FROM HER FIRST DESIRE TILL SHE BE BROUGHT TO A FULL RESOLUTION TO EMBRACE A DEVOUT LIFE. When Temptation and Delectation are Sin. 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). 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