introduction to the devout life by st francis de sales

A notable literary man has said that a good way to learn is to study, a better to listen, and the best to teach. Francis writes: “It is too true that I who write about the devout life am not myself devout, but most certainly I am not without the wish to become so, and it is this wish which encourages me to teach you. Have loved and learned so much from it before and look forward to doing so again. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, patron saint of writers and journalists, I decided it was as good a reason as any to begin reading Introduction to the Devout Life-his most popular work-again. EXCELLENT BOOK!Īs January 24th is the feast day of St.

His feast is celebrated on January 24.įebruary 4, 2012: Finished it today and it has renewed my enthusiasm to reread all the spiritual classics and not just read them, but live them. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. An Introduction to the Devout Life, his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. Though known for his great intellect and theological wisdom, he spoke with simplicity and earnestness, so that all could understand. He was known as a spiritually understanding man as well as a friend of the poor.

He became bishop of Geneva in 1602.įrancis de Sales is the author of various collections of sermons on Mary, Lent, prayer and Christmastide. He became a doctor of law at the age of 24 at the Jesuit College of Clermont, Paris, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Claude de Granier and stationed in Geneva in 1593. After a disturbing spiritual fear of being condemned, he eventually resolved his problem and decided to dedicate his life to God in 1587. His father sent him to a good school when he was young, and he received spiritual formation from the Jesuits. (French: François de Sales Italian: Francesco di Sales) was a Bishop of Geneva and is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.

Introduction to the devout life by st francis de sales