CHAPTER VI. It is a favourable feature of this war, that so long as we will fight, we must be victorious (15). St. John said to him: Why do you not carry your bow always bent? (LogOut/ By the help of one virtue heartily practiced men may attain to all holiness ~ Gregory Nazianzen. CHAPTER IV. In doing so, any loss will not deprive us of composure or tranquility. Make anopen profession of your desire to be devout. To purify yourself from your imperfections. (1) Begin all prayer, whether mental or vocal, by placing yourself in the presence of God. We are gradually being formed by our desires and resolutions. 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. Make contrary acts above all, acts of the love of God (*best way to overcome the enemy because the love of God contains the perfection of all virtues*). 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. How can virtues be pursued and vices rooted out when temptations and occasions of sin abound? CONTAINING COUNSELS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE. CHAPTER XXIV. CHAPTER XV. The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin. "Reading Your Way to Heaven" Introduction to the Devout Life - Introduction: Part 1 - Chapter 10 (Podcast Episode 2019) - Plot summary, synopsis, and more. How to possess a rich Spirit amid real Poverty. The book speaks to what is devotion and why we need devotion. Like The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, it is considered a spiritual classic in the Christian tradition. . But there is a great difference. CHAPTER IX. Desolation If you are the cause of your own desolation, thank God, for the evil is half cured when you have ascertained the cause (286). CHAPTER IX. (LogOut/ He provides insight and guidance for the virtues of patience, humility, gentleness, obedience, purity, poverty, and friendship. #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. 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 III. If you possess them preserve your heart from loving them. Because, answered the huntsman, if it were always bent I fear it would lose its spring and become useless. Turn your heart to Jesus Christ crucified and kiss His sacred feet. (Marie de Charmoisy, or Louise de Charmoisy? CHAPTER II. 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. CHAPTER XIII. Concerning Dryness in Meditation. We must purify ourselves from all venial sins and evil inclinations and have adetachment from all useless activities. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. Have you voluntarily brought on the sin yourself? 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. Consider what He is doing, and what you are doing. 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. St. Francis of Sales: Introduction to the Devout Life - Christian Classics Ethereal Library. What true Devotion is. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. How to resist Minor Temptations. 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. 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. Always follow holy desires if your affections are greatly kindled towards God after your preparation, yield to them without heeding any formal method. 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). CHAPTER VI. Two striking Illustrations of the same. Meditation on the Benefit conferred on us by God in calling us to His Service. I didn't know how old this book was until just! CHAPTER XXXVIII. 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 VII. Introduction to the Devout Life Saint Francis de Sales (1567 - 1622) First published in the early 17th century, it has proven its value as a daily spiritual guide and helpful reference for living an authentic Christian life. CHAPTER XVII. Of Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. 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. And first, the Presence of God, the First Point of Preparation. Be like a little child with one hand clinging to your father and the one hand gathers fruits. The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed. How to select that which we should chiefly Practise. Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Is living a holy life possible for those called to a vocation other than the religious life? Perfection lies in entertaining no friendships that are not pure, holy, and sacred (179). CHAPTER XX. Conclusion of this First Purification. The perfection of this humility consists in taking pleasure and delight in order to exalt Gods Majesty and to esteem our neighbors better than ourselves. 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 . "Introduction to the Devout Life". On Friendship: Evil and Frivolous Friendship. CHAPTER IX. "[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. CHAPTER III. EXCELLENT BOOK! CHAPTER VIII. If we persevere, we shall gradually, by the help of His grace, learn to speak, to act and will like Him (61). Simply brilliant. Q. He delves into the maintenance, practice, and perfection of various virtues. (3) A composition of place use your imagination to place yourself in the Gospel scene (if possible). 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! Actions We must be faithful in things great and small. He goes on to also discuss how one can become spiritually dry, and strategies to combat that dryness. Remember that one day of devotion is worth more than a thousand years of worldly gratification (252). Receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Resolutions You must not rest satisfied with general desires and aspirations, but rather turn them into special resolutions for your individual correction and amendment to proceed to some practical resolutions [because] mere desires will have but few and tardy results (71-2). An introduction to the devout life Franois de Sales (st.) 1885 2 Reviews Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified Preview this book What. CHAPTER XXXIV. Sections 3 and 4 really should be published separately as "Timeless Counsels for the Spiritual Life" or some such title. He presents spirituality in simple, ordinary French with references to images from daily life and popular and natural history. CHAPTER XVI. Uploaded by 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. Chastity has its origin in the heart and its substance in the body. All our actions must be offered to God. Be not surprised, then, replied the apostle, that I should sometimes remit somewhat of my close application and attention of spirit in order to enjoy a little recreation, that I may afterwards employ myself more fervently in divine contemplation (214). Poverty The poor in spirit have not riches in their hearts nor their hearts in riches. It has led many to devotion and, as literature, has contributed to the French language. The work is also used as a guide in Christian spiritual direction.[1]. COUNSELS AND PRACTICES SUITABLE FOR THE SOUL'S GUIDANCE FROM THE FIRST ASPIRATION AFTER A DEVOUT LIFE TO THE POINT WHEN IT ATTAINS A CONFIRMED RESOLUTION TO FOLLOW THE SAME. Join the movement! It is well yearly to renew Good Resolutions by means of the following Exercises. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. It is typically categorized as a form of reading known as lectio divina ("divine reading"), based on the Christian monastic practice of spiritual reading. A testament to the spirit of Catholicism, namely, that monasticism and prayer are the heart of the church and that application of such practices can be reconciled with societal life, further proving that the so-called dark ages were an age of deep monasticism and it is only viewed cynically in the modern day through the Enlightenment ideals of societal progress as a means to salvation. We can glorify God in a secular world, and be a testimony to the world of God's abounding grace and love. 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. We are not always able to banish the temptation but we can take no pleasure in the sin and refuse consent. He teaches on how to perfect ones lifestyle to make these changes permanent. I listened to the podcast in the morning and then read the associated sections in the afternoon. One thing more, dear reader. 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 devout life is faithfully represented by Jacobs ladder. CHAPTER II. Spiritual Retreat During the Day As often as you can through your day, recall your mind to the presence of God by some one of the 4 methods. Francis de Sales's Introduction to the Devout Life has remained a uniquely accessible and relevant treasure of devotion for nearly four hundred years. Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. How to strengthen the Heart against Temptation. Things that spoke to me in the past did not this time. CHAPTER VI. St. Francis de Sales (15671622) was the Bishop of Geneva and a renowned spiritual director. Pray 12-minutes a day to help God save America. Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession. **. These writings are conveniently divided into small sections of advice. Privacy. "[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. CHAPTER XXIII. The most profitable humiliations are those that God sends us and those that are most opposed to our natural inclinations. 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. Introduction to the Devout Life is one of the great religious and devotional masterpieces. Humans have always been human, who knew? The devout life "renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful" (6). 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. to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and throughout the endless ages of eternity. Search Introduction to the Devout Life: Preface by the Author Part I: Attaining a Firm Resolution to the Devout Life It enjoyed wide popularity, and was well received in both Protestant and Catholic circles, evidenced by its translation into all major languages of the day. 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). 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. 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? CHAPTER XVII. Without it repose is but idleness, labour but trouble; therefore, I beseech you, cleave steadily to it, and never forsake it (91). Your spiritual guide must be filled with charity, knowledge, and discretion. A message from theCatholic Classics podcast hosts:St. Introduction to the Devout Life (Im., St. Francis de 9780385030090 | eBay 4/5. Learn how the Bible, theCatechism, and Narnia are connected! But I was no less comforted when I found her in her fathers kitchen, humbly turning the spit, blowing the fire, dressing the meat, kneading the bread, and doing the meanest offices of the house with a courage full of love and affection for her God; for I esteem no less the little and humble meditation she made amongst these mean and abject employments, than the ecstasies and raptures she so often had, which, perhaps, were given her only in recompense of her humility and abjection. Infallibly true to anyone who strives for Sainthood. We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! Be content to simply drive them away. Introduction to the Devout Life is a timeless gem and I was truly blessed by reading it. Language updates that make the text accessible without changing its meaning or message, Aleather-like cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon. 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