An Introduction To The Devout Life

The person intent upon gaining Heaven should first resort to a competent guide to reach that Goal of all goals. And no better guide exists than An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Doctor of the Church. It is at once easy to read, being laid out in short chapters, yet it is thorough, authoritative, reliable, kind and gentle; a mirror of its author. It is a book, moreover, for all, because all are called to the devout life. True devotion to God, the author points out, adorns every vocation.

Addressed as a personal letter to Philothea, the lover of God which genuinely represents the reader, the book covers:

• Our first desire to lead a devout life to our full resolution to do so.
• How we should approach God in prayer and the Sacraments.
• The practice of 16 important virtues.
• Remedies against ordinary temptations.
• Becoming confirmed in our practice of devotion.

St. Francis says, "devotion is spiritual agility and vivacity, by means of which charity works in us, or we in her, with love and readiness; and as charity leads us to obey and fulfill all God's Commandments, so devotion leads us to obey them with promptitude and diligence." (p. 3).

This is book to be read again and again, with pen in hand - a book to make your guide for the rest of your life!