introduction to the devout life summaryintroduction to the devout life summary

Join the movement! Q. (1) Begin all prayer, whether mental or vocal, by placing yourself in the presence of God. The devout life is faithfully represented by Jacobs ladder. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. You will always find His eyes fixed upon you with unchangeable love (84). (Marie de Charmoisy, or Louise de Charmoisy? These three branches of the spiritual cross are grounded on a fourth, viz., humility. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly. 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. 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! Andrew Hanson CCEL Intern Popularity 82% Available formats Read online Read on mobile Download 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. * 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) *. What does spiritual meditation and prayer look like amid the demands of daily life? CHAPTER II. Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession. 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. Fr. The Third Part of Meditation, Affections and Resolutions. Part III, Chapter 18 prev: next Such foolish attachments between man and woman without any matrimonial intentions as are called amourettes,--mere abortions, or rather phantoms of friendship,--must not, idle and empty as they are, profane the name of friendship or love. PART III. We must develop a spirit of resistance, strengthened by continual prayer, participation in the Sacraments, and trust in God. Without it repose is but idleness, labour but trouble; therefore, I beseech you, cleave steadily to it, and never forsake it (91). Nothing aggravates evil and hinders good so much as anxiety and worry. this book gave me everything i was looking for and more. Be like a little child with one hand clinging to your father and the one hand gathers fruits. CHAPTER XX. I listened to the podcast in the morning and then read the associated sections in the afternoon. General Affections which should result from these Considerations, and Conclusion of the Exercise. Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards God. (3) Go to your confessor. I've read most of St. Francis de Sales "Catholic Controversy" and had heard only good things about his "Introduction". Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales (Summary+Review) Biblical Bookworm 3.25K subscribers Subscribe 254 2.2K views 1 year ago WIEN #firstvideoonyoutube #newcatholicchannel. Of Balls, and other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements. 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. The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin. 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. He goes on to also discuss how one can become spiritually dry, and strategies to combat that dryness. The Love which Jesus Christ bears to us. Two striking Illustrations of the same. CHAPTER XI. Because, answered the huntsman, if it were always bent I fear it would lose its spring and become useless. This is one of the few books that "stays on my nightstand." CHAPTER XXVI. (LogOut/ Been reading this every couple of years for Lent. 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). By the help of one virtue heartily practiced men may attain to all holiness ~ Gregory Nazianzen. Gather your spirit into the oratory of your heart and lay open your soul and speak face to face with God (84). Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions. One of the many pleasant aspects of this work is that it does not sermonize extreme ways for acquiring grace, but for people who have lived on the opposite side of the moral spectrum far longer than they care to acknowledge, bits of the book may seem very extreme. Invocation, the Second Point of Preparation. True devotion is suitable to all vocations and professions True devotion hinders no one, but rather it perfects everything. A notable literary man has said that a good way to learn is to study, a better to listen, and the best to teach. Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales The most popular Catholic self-help book of all time is written for laymen. 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 CHAPTER XXXIII. Of Temptations, and the difference between experiencing them and consenting to them. Friendship The more your friendship stands on the foundation of virtue, the more perfect it will be. 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 VIII. 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. by Francis de Sales. Small temptations Overall, resisting these lesser temptations provides us with more benefit because they are continual trials for devout and fervent persons. CHAPTER IV. The world is an unjust judge, partial and indulgent to its own children, but harsh and rigorous towards the children of God (250). Summary. Remedies against Evil Friendships. What true Devotion is. Part III, Chapter 5. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. CHAPTER XVII. it's hard to move through this book fast. CHAPTER VII. Pray 12-minutes a day to help God save America. 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? St. Francis de Sales (15671622) was the Bishop of Geneva and a renowned spiritual director. OUR LADY: THIS BEAUTIFUL SACRED OBJECT PROTECTS YOUR FAMILY, THIS AMAZING BESTSELLER WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE (ONLY $1! Do not spend longer than an hour unless expressly desired to do so by your spiritual director. Join the movement! $14.06 2 Used from $4.42. 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. Tip: Devote 1 hour daily to mental prayer if you can, let it be early in the morning. CHAPTER IV. 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). Change). 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. The Affections to be excited after such Examination. Read & meditate on Sacred things. Privacy. CONTAINING NEEDFUL COUNSELS CONCERNING SOME ORDINARY TEMPTATIONS. Awareness that God dwells in your heart and spirit. 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). Hear the book read aloud with additional expert commentary in the Catholic Classics podcast! 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). Perfection lies in entertaining no friendships that are not pure, holy, and sacred (179). St. John said to him: Why do you not carry your bow always bent? CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER XXIV. If there ever was a much required and sincere "how-to" guide to bring people back to God while also repairing the interior damage of the self as a result of environment, people and inborn human flaws, Introduction to the Devout Life would be and is, very high on the list, for as he gloriously writes on page 291: "Such are the joys that lure my sight,/All pains grow sweet, all labors light. Saint Frances de Sales, great saint that he is and patron saint of writers, leads you through a purification of the soul, the purging of sin in ones life and, indeed, in the cleansing of ones soul. Remember then frequently to retire into the solitude of your heart, even whilst you are externally occupied in business or society (84). Be open in all faithfulness and sincerity, laying bare both good and evil. Some Useful Hints as to Meditation. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. 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). Gentleness perfects us towards our neighbor. A seminal work of faith. Chastity has its origin in the heart and its substance in the body. web pages The book speaks to what is devotion and why we need devotion. In all our actions and prayers we should seek, dwell upon, and meditate on our Saviour (62). 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! Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession. 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. Let your speech be gentle, frank, sincere, clear, simple, and truthful. How to receive Inspirations. This should be fitting in regards to the state of life to which God has called you. Society and Solitude As a general rule, we should always preserve a quiet cheerfulness of manner. A continued habitual temperance is far better than occasional, rigid abstinence alternating with great relaxation. He provides insight and guidance for the virtues of patience, humility, gentleness, obedience, purity, poverty, and friendship. CHAPTER XI. It was. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. . Growing in virtue Let us be firm in our plans and unchanging in our resolutions. Never omit this exercise any more than that of the morning, for as by the latter you open the windows of your soul to the sun of righteousness, so by these evening devotions you close them against the darkness of Hell (83). Imagine our Saviour beside or in front of us. St. Francis de Sales (15671622) was the Bishop of Geneva and a renowned spiritual director. 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). The devout life renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful (6). clifforddham. How to Hear and Read God's Word. "[8], sfn error: no target: CITEREFFrancis_de_Sales/ed._Ryan_p.33 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFFrancis_de_Sales/ed._Ryan_p.44 (. Without it you cannot follow the contemplative life well, nor the active life without danger. St. Francis de Sales' perennial classic of spiritual direction. Amazingly, it grows with me. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. 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. CHAPTER I. Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy. "Introduction to the Devout Life". St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. Humility makes us rejoice in our own Abjection. Language updates that make the text accessible without changing its meaning or message, Aleather-like cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon. Charles Borromeo had a great influence on Francis de Sales because of his pastoral approach to bringing devotion to the Christian in the world. (3) A composition of place use your imagination to place yourself in the Gospel scene (if possible). [8] Plaushin calls this "De Sales' most remarkable gift to the church. CHAPTER XV. This book is indispensable for all Catholics looking to live a devout lifeand fruitful for all others interested in such matters. The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed. CHAPTER XXIII. Morning exercise gratitude for the night, firm resolution for the day ahead, review the upcoming day, humble yourself, offer yourself to God. Let us reflect upon all He has done for us, and all we have done against Him; and as we count over our sins in detail, even so let us count over His mercies (131). Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. The "devout life is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life" (6). We must hate sin with a hearty, vigorous contrition and detest every affection, circumstance, and inducement which tends towards it. PART II. Amen. PART V. CONTAINING COUNSELS AND PRACTICES FOR RENEWING AND CONFIRMING THE SOUL IN DEVOTION. Frequently repeat the words of St. Paul that you are not your own. Patience Patience in all trials is the key to possessing our souls. 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 IX. See all formats and editions. CHAPTER VI. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Introduction to the Devout Life (Im., St. Francis de at the best online prices at eBay! Use utmost care and diligence in resisting these. Picture Jesus looking down from heaven on you. 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. Should you relish the fruits, or any of them, stop without going further, like the bees, who never quit the flower as long as they can suck any honey from it; but if, upon trial, you do not succeed according to your wishes, proceed to another consideration with a calm and tranquil mind, without hurrying yourself or fatiguing your soul (70). **. Conclusion of this First Purification. This early 17th century classic is a proven spiritual guide for living an authentic Christian life. Uploaded by CHAPTER I. All temptations are never permitted by God save to those whom He purposes to exalt in His pure and excellent love (259). 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. If we persevere, we shall gradually, by the help of His grace, learn to speak, to act and will like Him (61). (LogOut/ on the Internet. We must not trifle with the Words of Worldly Wisdom. CHAPTER V. Considerations, the Second Part of Meditation. 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. "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. 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. Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life. CHAPTER XXI. Reveal temptations to your spiritual director. Join the movement! 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. PART IV. 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. Goes to show there's really nothing new under the sun. Paperback. Humility consists in really knowing and freely acknowledging our abasement. Dont waste your time dwelling on any trifling temptation. CHAPTER VI. Tip = frequently during the day if you can, but at least night and morning, examine yourself whether your soul is in your hand, or if it has not been snatched thence by some passion or anxiety. CHAPTER III. However, it is not meant to be interpreted that way, merely as a catalyst to a newer and brighter beginning. Wherever we may be, we can and should aspire to the perfect life."[6]. It is the first in a new series from Ascension press called Christian Classics, and there is a podcast version by Gregory Pine and Jacob Bertrand Janczyk. CHAPTER XIV. CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XXXIX. Written over 400 years ago, the Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. CHAPTER VI. In Introduction to the Devout Life, 17th-century French clergyman Francis de Sales addresses himself to the mass of Christians who do not believe it possible that they could live a devout life while also struggling to make their way in the world. This daily series of 3 posted chapters at a. We must not tolerate any sins in our friends. Confession Confess yourself humbly and devoutly once every week, and always, if possible, before you communicate, even though your conscience should not reproach you with the guilt of mortal sin: for by confession you not only receive absolution from the venial sins you confess, but likewise strength to avoid them, light to discern them well, and grace to repair all the damage you may have sustained by them. In the Sacraments, and a renowned spiritual director dont waste your time dwelling on any trifling temptation move this. All such actions easy, pleasant, and truthful if possible ) your desire to walk that road with words! 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