Introduction to the Devout Live

[lonnienord]

during lent i am going to prayerfully read Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis De Sales (translated and edited by John K. Ryan) Does anyone know if this book is available on line? I have begun reading and will post some reflections soon. Lent begins March 1

 

[lonnienord]

I love the dedicatory prayer:

Ah, sweet JESUS, my LORD, my SAVIOR ad my GOD, behold me here prostrate before your Majesty as i pledge and consecrate this work to YOUR Glory...

Live, JESUS! Live, JESUS!
Yes, LORD JESUS, live and reign in our hearts forever and ever. Amen.

please feel free to subscribe to this thread. I hope at least one other person will be reading this with me! I will be reading about 7 pages a day.

 

[lonnienord]

here are tow online copies: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/desales/devout_life.toc.html
http://www.ecatholic2000.com/desales/idl.html

 

[QuantaCura]

I've been reading Intro. to a Devout Life for little while (I'm about 1/4 done, I'm on a leisurely pace, :o )--So far it has been great. I love St. Francis De Sales' analogies! .

Oh, and check out my avatar!

 

[lonnienord]

According to Francis De Sales we are all called to be devout because of our state in life that must be lived in different ways. He will give us some help but for the most part we must turn to GOD to guide us.

 

[lonnienord]

YOU aim at a devout life, dear child, because as a Christian you know that such devotion is most acceptable to God's Divine Majesty

yes!! (and thus begins the first chapter!!

devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness by means of which Divine Love works in us, and causes us to work briskly and lovingly;

and just as charity leads us to a general practice of all God's Commandments, so devotion leads us to practise them readily and diligently

.What are GOD'S Commandments? Which commandments apply to us?

The difference between love and devotion is just that which exists between fire and flame;--love being a spiritual fire which becomes devotion when it is fanned into a flame

 

[lonnienord]

Chapter 2:

a devout life is very sweet, very happy and very loveable

their thoughts, affections and actions have no motive or object save that of pleasing God;

that is how i want to live my life!!

devotion is the sweetest of sweets, the queen of virtues, the perfection of love

 

[lonnienord]

Chapter 3:

Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession.

 

[lonnienord]

Chapter 4:

It is an error, nay more, a very heresy, to seek to banish the devout life from the soldier's guardroom, the mechanic's workshop, the prince's court, or the domestic hearth. Of course a purely contemplative devotion, such as is specially proper to the religious and monastic life, cannot be practised in these outer vocations, but there are various other kinds of devotion well-suited to lead those whose calling is secular, along the paths of perfection

Be sure that wheresoever our lot is cast we may and must aim at the perfect life.

 

[lonnienord]

ch 5

The ordinary purification, whether of body or soul, is only accomplished by slow degrees, step by step, gradually and painfully.

 

[lonnienord]

ch 6

THE first purification to be made is from sin;--the means whereby to make it, the sacrament of penance

.

 

[lonnienord]

ch 7

if you seek to lead a devout life, you must not merely forsake sin; but you must further cleanse your heart from all affections pertaining to sin; for, to say nothing of the danger of a relapse, these wretched affections will perpetually enfeeble your mind, and clog it, so that you will be unable to be diligent, ready and frequent in good works, wherein nevertheless lies the very essence of all true devotion.

 

[lonnienord]

ch.8

THE first inducement to attain this second purification is a keen and lively apprehension of the great evils resulting from sin, by means of which we acquire a deep, hearty contrition. For just as contrition, (so far as it is real,) however slight, when joined to the virtue of the Sacraments, purges away sin; so, when it becomes strong and urgent, it purges away all the affections which cling around habits of sin.

 

[fieldlily]

during lent i am going to prayerfully read Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis De Sales (translated and edited by John K. Ryan) Does anyone know if this book is available on line? I have begun reading and will post some reflections soon. Lent begins March 1

My apologies if someone already posted this. But I found that Introduction to a Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales is on line. Thanks for asking...now I think I will read part of it myself. Bless you.

Here: http://www.catholictreasury.info/DevoutLife/Default.htm