John fourier, then rector of the jesuit college at chambery. From 1609 to 1616, francis, used all the free moments available to the writing of the. It is true, philothea, that purely contemplative, monastic and religious devotion. But unlike many of the theological tracts or mystical tomes which one often finds professing to do the same thing, this book is, very simply, a practical manual for living a devout life in. And no better guide exists than an introduction to the devout life by st. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders5 93. The book teaches that anyone can live a life devoted to god, even while remaining in ordinary life. Introduction to a devout life 1900 edition open library. Do i need to go into full time ministr y to live a truly christian. The countrymonasterydevout life in the world as paradiseas in. This document has been generated from xsl extensible. Setting then before me a soul, who through the devout life seeks after the love of god, i have arranged this introduction in five parts, in the first of which i seek by suggestions and exercises to turn philothea s mere desire into a hearty resolution.
Introduction to the devout life further advice concerning intimacies. Its aim is to help you be rid of sin and even the inclinations to sin. Often used for spiritual direction by those who have no spiritual directors. Introduction to the devout life society and solitude. The person intent upon gaining heaven should first resort to a competent guide to reach that goal of all goals. Nonetheless, two important, and interrelated, aspects of the introduction that have. Introduction to a devout life catholic harbor of faith and morals.
An introduction to the devout life the catholic company. This separation made, the books of conscience will be opened, and all men will behold the mali. First and foremost, this book is a manual, a manual on how seek, find, and create a devout life, a life devoted to god. If you own this book, you can mail it to our address below. Listen to philothea or an introduction to the devout life. I address my words to philothea, since i wish to direct. Again i say it is the work of a life time of daily examine and practice of the prayer and principles laid out with such great wisdom by st.
It is a book, moreover, for all, because all are called to the devout life. Youve discovered a title thats missing from our library. The devout life, moreover, is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life. Do you, my child, love every one with the pure love of charity, but have no friendship save with those whose intercourse is good and true, and the purer the bond which unites you so much higher will your friendship be. A masterpiece of mystical and devotional literature. Introduction to the devout life catholic spiritual direction. Introduction to the devout life 1950 edition open library. This separation being made, and the book of conscience. Easy to read, being laid out in short chapters, yet it is thorough, authoritative, reliable, kind and gentlea mirror of its author. This is an exceptional work, certainly the most complete in all respects to lead a christian life worthy to be called such. An introduction to the devout life fraternity publications. Thorough instructions on living a holy and sinless life in practically every state of life. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read introduction to a devout life.
Philothea, or an introduction to the devout life st. Introduction to the devout life by francis of sales. Earlier in his life, he pursued a career in law before becoming a roman catholic priest. A great servant of god informed me not long ago that by addr.
A soul, full of honour and virtue, having some good while since received from god the grace to aspire to the devout life, requested my assistance in the matter. It enjoyed wide popularity, and was well received in both protestant and catholic circles, evidenced by its translation into all major languages of the day. Introduction to a devout life 1946 edition open library. Treatise on the love of god was completed after his well known work introduction to the devout life. This separation made, the books of conscience will be opened, and all men will behold the malice of the. Augustine, writing to the devout flora, 5 says, that giving is a claim to. Introduction to the devout life ebook by francis of sales. Philothea or an introduction to the devout life by francis. Do i need to go into full time ministry to live a truly christian life. It is my prayer that all may come to read devour this great work and daily practice its wise council.
Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Friendship demands very close correspondence between those who love one another, otherwise it can never take root or continue. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Am i really a christian if im not out preaching the gospel in dangerous places where people have never heard of christ. Either to seek or to shun society is a fault in one striving to lead a devout life in the world, such as i am now speaking of. An introduction to the devout life traditional catholic store. An introduction to the devout life is a book to be read with pencil in hand. Introduction to the devout life, 400th anniversary edition. A notable literary man has said that a good way to learn is to study, a better to listen, and the best to teach. He addresses his reader as philothea, which means one who loves god. Setting then before me a soul, who through the devout life seeks after the love of god, i have arranged this introduction in five parts, in the first of which i. But unlike many of the theological tracts or mystical tomes which one often finds professing to do the same thing, this book is, very simply, a practical manual for living a devout life in a world that is often antagonistic to christianity. Yon aspire to devotion, philothea, became, being a. Francis quaint illustrations which make the introduction sparkle with wit.
No guide ever written provides so complete, so balanced and so practical an approach to the spiritual life. All christians struggle to discern gods call on their life, but god does call all to live a christcentered life. An introduction to the devout life the catholic kingdom. It enjoyed wide popularity, and was well received in both protestant and catholic circles, evidenced by its translation into all major. Francis served the church at a dangerous time in a dangerous place. Alone, its 10 brief meditations in part i will orient you toward god for the rest of your life. Pdf introduction to the devout life semantic scholar. That is why he prepared the introduction to the devout life of which they became a part. The book speaks to what is devotion and why we need devotion. To shun society implies indifference and contempt for ones neighbours. This 17th century classic is a proven spiritual guide for living. Vienna, virginia, who developed the first in the series dealing with wendy wrights book on the introduction to the devout life and treatise on the love of god.
About book devout life does not require withdrawal from the world. An introduction to the devout life ebook tan books. Contents include how to cultivate the desire for a devout life. Therefore it need a free signup process to obtain the book. Introduction to the devout life the most popular catholic selfhelp book of all time is written with the lay person in mind. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of francis in 1622. The most popular catholic selfhelp book of all time is written for laymen. Often used for spiritual direction by those who have no spiritual direc.
Introduction to the devout life immaculata library. Am i really a chr istian if im not out preaching the gospel in dangerous places where people have never heard of. You aspire to devotion, dearest philothea, because being a christian, you know that it is a virtue extremely pleasing to the divine majesty. Listen to unlimited audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. Dear reader, i request you to read this preface for your own satisfaction as well as mine. Newly translated into english, from the original french, according to the last edition, revised and corrected by the saint himself, a little before his death.
St francis touches on many subjects throughout this extensive piece, including the following. As no sensible person would make a long road trip without first consulting a map, so the person intent upon gaining heaven should first resort to a competent guide. True devotion to god, the author points out, adorns every vocation. He then instructs us on our approach to god in prayer and through the sacraments. Aug 20, 2019 an introduction to the devout life is a book to be read again and again. The flowergirl glycera was so skilled in varying the arrangement and combination of her flowers, that out of the same kinds she produced a great variety of bouquets. I have made use of a name suitable to all who seek after the devout life, philothea meaning one who loves god. Do i need to go into full time ministr y to live a truly christian life.
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