Devout life does not require withdrawal from the world. This was the central insight of Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century priest whose Introduction to the Devout Life has not gone out of print in almost four centuries. Francis served the church at a dangerous time in a dangerous place: during the Reformation, in Calvinist areas of France, when celebrating mass was punishable by death. He was a popular minister and a prolific letter writer whose correspondence was cherished for its clear and direct instruction in the ...
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Devout life does not require withdrawal from the world. This was the central insight of Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century priest whose Introduction to the Devout Life has not gone out of print in almost four centuries. Francis served the church at a dangerous time in a dangerous place: during the Reformation, in Calvinist areas of France, when celebrating mass was punishable by death. He was a popular minister and a prolific letter writer whose correspondence was cherished for its clear and direct instruction in the ways of piety. The book collects passages from many of those letters, organized as one message addressed to the allegorical character Philothea (which means "lover of God"). The book includes long sections about prayer, temptation, and how to maintain and renew devotion to God. But it is most distinguished by its discussion of how to live a holy life in the secular world. Each chapter (such as "How to Combine Due Care for a Good Reputation with Humility") is frank, uncannily modern, and precise.
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Add this copy of Introduction to the Devout Life to cart. $12.07, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2010 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
highly recommend this to anyone who wants to advance in holiness
AlmaD
Aug 15, 2009
A Brilliant But Humble Man
Saint Francis de Sales was a great evangelizer and this book makes clear why, not only because of the truth that he writes, but the way he makes profound ideas sound simple and accessible, his beautiful use of metaphor, and his loving tone infused with humillty. Only a saint could have written this book.
gmiguelps
Mar 20, 2008
Very Practical Spritiual Advice
Don't feel threatened by this classic. It is easy to read and still very practical. A great book!
