External Mortification We must begin mortification from within. PART I. The "Introduction" is composed of five parts or "books", each pertaining to a stage in the Christian's spiritual journey. If not, (1) humble yourself and (2) ask for Gods help. He contends that devotion is not a state necessarily relegated to monks in cloisters, but can be a quality of life to which everyone can aspire. Remember that one day of devotion is worth more than a thousand years of worldly gratification (252). 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. ), PRAY WITH CATHOLICS EVERYWHERE TO SAVE AMERICA. 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. Hear the book read aloud with additional expert commentary in the Catholic Classics podcast! CHAPTER XXIII. (1) Begin all prayer, whether mental or vocal, by placing yourself in the presence of God. We must be gentle towards ourselves look upon your faults with a calm, collected, and firm displeasure. It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things. Gentleness towards others and Remedies against Anger. Conclusion of this First Purification. 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! PART II. ReadFullDescription. 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. But seeing that the small errors people are wont to commit in the beginning of any . Faithfully render'd into English. "St.Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life, 1609-2009", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Introduction_to_the_Devout_Life&oldid=1147852219, Part I: Attaining a Firm Resolution to the Devout Life. Plaushin O.S.F.S., Mark. CHAPTER II. Further Counsels as to Conversation. We must not tolerate any sins in our friends. 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. 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 Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly St. Francis de Sales (15671622) was the Bishop of Geneva and a renowned spiritual director. The desire to be closer to God that he found in people from all levels of . Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. An Answer to Two Objections which may be made to this Book. I listened to the podcast in the morning and then read the associated sections in the afternoon. Remedies for Great Occasions. The Necessity of Purging away all tendency to Venial Sins. Persevere in this blessed undertaking of a devout life . ** Above all, you must be careful to retain the resolutions to which you have come through meditation, on your return to active duties. And first, the Presence of God, the First Point of Preparation. Let your speech be gentle, frank, sincere, clear, simple, and truthful. 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). CHAPTER VII. He goes on to also discuss how one can become spiritually dry, and strategies to combat that dryness. By the help of one virtue heartily practiced men may attain to all holiness ~ Gregory Nazianzen. CHAPTER XXXIV. The devout life "renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful" (6). The "devout life is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life" (6). This theology for the laity I find elements of most recently in the work of St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of the controversial but infinitely Catholic Opus Dei. Join the movement! It is typically categorized as a form of reading known as lectio divina ("divine reading"), based on the Christian monastic practice of spiritual reading. 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). He presents spirituality in simple, ordinary French with references to images from daily life and popular and natural history. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. St. Francis recommends a general confession as the most profitable beginning to start the devout life (16). Therefore, you must preserve both thoughts/desires and external senses. 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. Evening exercise gratitude, examination, offer to God yourself, ask for protection. Turn your heart to Jesus Christ crucified and kiss His sacred feet. CHAPTER XXXIII. Introduction to the Devout Life is a compilation of letters and notes. Nothing aggravates evil and hinders good so much as anxiety and worry. OUR LADY: THIS BEAUTIFUL SACRED OBJECT PROTECTS YOUR FAMILY, THIS AMAZING BESTSELLER WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE (ONLY $1! CHAPTER XXII. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER XXXVI. Assuredly nothing can so humble us before the compassion of God as the abundance of His mercies; nothing so humble us before His justice as the abundance of our misdeeds. clifforddham. Highly recommend for anyone looking for concrete advice on the spiritual life! 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! Charity bids humility to > reveal thetruth. ", A good translation is so important*. Amen. 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). 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 IV. To which is prefix'd a summary of his life, and adjoyn'd a collection of his choicest maxims. After the examine Thank God for His help. 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. Do not spend longer than an hour unless expressly desired to do so by your spiritual director. 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. CHAPTER XI. Join the movement! Associate with chaste and virtuous persons. 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? Humility consists in really knowing and freely acknowledging our abasement. In all our actions and prayers we should seek, dwell upon, and meditate on our Saviour (62). I really just mean that it is one of those books that I will refer back to again and again for spiritual help. $14.06 2 Used from $4.42. Written as a letter to St. Francis lay cousin, this classic yet relevant text features advice on the questions that members of the Catholic laity often ask themselves, such as: Written by Doctor of the Church St. Francis de Sales to offer sound preaching and clear instruction for Catholics and translated by Matthew K. Minerd to renew Catholics understanding and appreciation of this classic Catholic work,Introduction to the Devout Life promises that it is possible to have an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus, regardless of the demands of everyday life.. sdegutis 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. Have you voluntarily brought on the sin yourself? Picture Jesus looking down from heaven on you. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. 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. When we are in society, associate with the virtuous and devout as much as possible. CHAPTER IX. Pray 12 minutes a day to help God save America. Written over 400 years ago, the Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. How the Saints are united to us. The Second Purification, from all Sinful Affections. CHAPTER VIII. 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. Norris, Kathleen. Whether you are running a tractor, a ba How do you grow closer to sainthood in your daily life? This book is indispensable for all Catholics looking to live a devout lifeand fruitful for all others interested in such matters. CHAPTER VI. We must learn not only to love our burden, which is done by the virtue of patience, but also to love its attendent abasement, which is done by the virtue of humility (137).. CHAPTER XVIII. It is well yearly to renew Good Resolutions by means of the following Exercises. What does spiritual meditation and prayer look like amid the demands of daily life? CHAPTER XXXIX. it's hard to move through this book fast. CHAPTER XVIII. CHAPTER XXXVIII. St. Francis de Sales' perennial classic of spiritual direction. Infallibly true to anyone who strives for Sainthood. A continued habitual temperance is far better than occasional, rigid abstinence alternating with great relaxation. Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions. 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. Meditation on the Benefit conferred on us by God in calling us to His Service. Evening Prayer and Examination of Conscience. 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. 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. Of the other Public Offices of the Church. The two sides between which we ascend, and in which the rounds are fastened, represent prayer, which obtains the love of God, and the sacraments which confer it; the rounds are nothing but divers degrees of charity, by which we advance from virtue to virtue, either descending, by action, to the help and support of our neighbour, or ascending, by contemplation, to a blessed union with God (7). Live, Jesus! something w lots depth and wisdom that would challenge and shake me up a bit. 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. Privacy. Frequently repeat the words of St. Paul that you are not your own. Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. Further Advice concerning Intimacies. CHAPTER XV. 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 This is one of the few books that "stays on my nightstand." CHAPTER XXVII. The NEW and EXPANDED Edition of the best-selling Deluxe Then and Now Bible Maps! Awareness that God dwells in your heart and spirit. Be like a little child with one hand clinging to your father and the one hand gathers fruits. 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. INTRODUCTION To A DEVOUT LIFE. CHAPTER VII. Reveal temptations to your spiritual director. CHAPTER IV. The world We are crucified to the world and the world should be crucified to us. Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly See all formats and editions. CHAPTER XVII. 4/5. 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. 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. 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. 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