Introduction to the Devout Life

By Francis de Sales, Francisco de Sales, François de Sales, et al.

Book Overview

"Introduction to the Devout Life" is a cornerstone of Christian spiritual literature, offering practical and profound guidance for individuals seeking to deepen their relationship with God while living in the world. Written by Saint Francis de Sales, this classic work breaks away from the idea that a life of holiness is reserved solely for monastics or clergy. Instead, it presents a path to devotion that is accessible to people of all walks of life.

The book is structured as a series of letters addressed to Philothea, a name representing any soul who loves God. Through these correspondences, Saint Francis de Sales provides a comprehensive guide to the spiritual life, covering topics such as the importance of prayer, the frequentation of the sacraments, the cultivation of specific virtues, and the management of everyday temptations and distractions. With its gentle tone and psychological insight, the work emphasizes the "spirit of liberty" and the transformative power of divine love.

As a foundational text of Catholic spirituality, "Introduction to the Devout Life" remains an essential resource for those seeking a balanced, disciplined, and joyful faith. Its timeless wisdom continues to inspire readers to find sacredness in the mundane and to pursue perfection through the simple acts of daily life.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025745450
• ISBN13: 9781025745459
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.7" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

They keep sending me the wrong book

The book shown on the website is not the same as they sent twice. The book I received has old yellow pages. Not what I expected for very good condition.

Description of book was not what it said it was

The book was supposed to be "good" condition, but it was not. Chunks of pages fell out. It is very hard to read while trying to hold the book together. The cover was different from what I ordered.

What More Can Be Said?

What more can be said about a work that during the four hundred years since its birth (1609) has never gone out of print, and is still garnering the highest praise from Christians of all denominations? A 'classic,' it truly is--'a masterpiece of mystical and devotional literature' (p. 13). INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE (hereafter, IDL) by Francis de Sales (John K. Ryan, ed.)(New York: Doubleday, Image Books, 1972) is the distillation of the written correspondence exchanged between the Roman Catholic bishop, Francis de Sales and his relative by marriage, Mademoiselle de Charmoisy (Marie de Chastel). Published only coincidentally when Marie showed the letters to the Jesuit priest, Pére Jean Fourier, who subsequently persuaded Francis to prepare them for publication. It is no wonder that Francis has been honored as the 'patron saint of writers'. His illustrations--frequently derived from nature--are always rich and informative, but sometimes overly florid. For example, he defines 'devotion' as: 'the delight of delights and queen of the virtues since it is the perfection of charity. If charity is milk, devotion is its cream; if it is a plant, devotion is its blossom; if it is a precious stone, devotion is its luster; if it is a rich ointment, devotion is its odor, yes, the odor of sweetness which comforts men and rejoices angels' (p. 43). Francis has also been deemed a 'Doctor of the Church' for his wisdom. Take for example this comment on the exercise of certain virtues: 'Occasions do not often present themselves for the exercise of fortitude, magnanimity, and great generosity, but meekness, temperance, integrity, and humility are virtues that must mark all our actions. We like sugar better than salt but salt is in more common and frequent use' (p. 121). In IDL Francis depicts what he would likely call the 'normal Christian life' as he understood it as a Roman Catholic bishop in the first decade of the seventeenth century. By his definition, devout Christians '. . . pray, fast, endure injuries, take care of the sick, give alms to the poor, keep vigils, restrain anger, suppress their passions, give up sensual pleasures, and perform other actions painful and rigorous . . .' (p. 41). Do we know any believers today in the early twenty-first century who fit this description? My copy of IDL has more highlighting; in more colors; with more underlining; with more paper clips dotting its edge, than any other book I happen to own. It is one of the few books whose spine I have cracked into two pieces for reason of overuse. Protestants will have to overlook certain Roman Catholic nuance and what they may regard as an inappropriately high estimation for Mary, the mother of Jesus, but is there another Christian spiritual director from whom we can learn more about the subtleties of the human condition? As the editor observes: the book's '. . . greatness lies in many things: in its originality, its completeness, its sincerity, its balance, its penetration, and

Introduction to the Devout Life : A Popular Abridgment

This book by St Francis De Sales is very readable and inspiring for anyone wanting to be a lover of God. Written in the 1600's it is as relevant today as then. Aimed not at Religious or Priests but at Lay men and women it explains how to build your faith and prayer life. The abridgement enables today's reader to clearly follow the teachings of this French Bishop. Excellent reading.