Introduction to the Devout LifeFrancis de Sales’s Introduction to the Devout Life has remained a uniquely accessible and relevant treasure of devotion for nearly four hundred years. As Bishop of Geneva in the first quarter of the seventeenth century, Francis de Sales saw to the spiritual needs of everyone from the poorest peasants to court ladies. The desire to be closer to God that he found in people from all levels of society led him to compile these instructions on how to live in Christ. Francis’s compassionate Introduction leads the reader through practical ways of attaining a devout life without renouncing the world and offers prayers and meditations to strengthen devotion in the face of temptation and hardship. |
Contents
Dedicatory Prayer | 31 |
First Part of the INTRODUCTION | 39 |
The Propriety and Excellence of Devotion | 41 |
Copyright | |
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abjection affections angel apostle Augustine Blessed body Caesar Baronius Cant Catherine of Siena charity chaste chastity Communion confession consolations contrary dangerous dear Philothea death deeds delights desire devotion Divine Majesty eternal evil exercise eyes Father faults feast day foolish Francis Francis de Sales friendship give glory God's grace Gregory Gregory Nazianzen hand heart heaven heavenly Hence holy honey honor humble humility husband inspiration Jesus Christ John of Avila judgment keep kind king live look Lord Louis de Blois manner marriage means meditation meekness mercy mind mortal sin Nazianzen neighbor never obedience offended ourselves passion perfect pleasure Pliny poor poverty practice praise prayer present Raymond of Capua reason resolutions sacred saints Savior sins slander soul speak Spouse suffer sweet temptation tender things thoughts tion true vanity venial venial sins virtue widow wish words worldly