Introduction to the Devout Life was written by St. Francis de Sales in 1609. De Sales is one of 32 doctors of the Catholic Church. The book is comprised of 3 primary parts. Introduction to the Devout Life also contains a useful timeliness of De Sales. The book has been translated into dozens of Languages and Kings have bejeweled copies is An Introduction to the Devout Life.
An Introduction to the Devout Life In 3 Parts
In An Introduction to the Devout Life St. Francis de Sales gives one of the most clear and concise descriptions of the purgative, illumitive, and unitive ways in Western Civilization. It is not an overstatement to write that med large parts of Catholic Doctrine. What one needs to remember is that all of what the Catholic Church believes was not known at the beginning but rather has been built up over the centuries by seminal writings.
The three levels of thought and conduct are needed for a moral and religious life. The first part of the book is dedicated to the purgative way. The rest of the book is dedicated to the illuminative and unitive ways. At almost 400 pages long An Introduction to the Devout Life is a bit difficult to get through, but it is worth it.
The 95 chapters of An Introduction to the Devout Life are designed to enlighten the soul as to the moral and spiritual realities to bring us in closer unio with God. Only mortal sin can keep a soul from God. It is imperative that Catholics who commit mortal sins go to confession.
An Introduction to the Devout Life has been translated into English, after originally being written In French. The book has been trashed into Latin, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and many other languages. The popularity of An Introduction to the Devout Life is astounding.
St. Francis de Sales’ Timeline
- Born 16 August 1567
- 1580-1588: Student (Humanities, Philosophy) at the Jesuit College of Claremont in Paris.
- 1586: The spiritual crisis of his life: the temptation of despair.
- 1588-1592: de Sales studied Law & Theology at the University of Padua where he received a Doctor of Law in 1591.
- 1592: Returns to Savoy and is admitted as an advocate before the Chambery and is given the title of Signeur de Villaroget.
- 1593: Made provost (the head) of the Cathedral Chapter of Geneva on March 7 and ordained a priest on December 18 at Annecy.
- 1594-1598: Apostolate of Chablais. Writes The Controversies and Defense of the Standard of the Holy Cross.
- 1595: An armed attack was made on his life on January 8.
- 1597: Visits Geneva at the request of Pope Clement VIII and tries to convert Theodore de Beze.
- 1598: Is called to Rome by Pope Clement VIII and is appointed coadjudicator to the Bishop of Geneva.
- 1601: Death of his father, Francis de Sales Sr.
- 1602: Visits Paris on a religious and diplomatic mission. It consecrated Bishop Geneva on December 8.
- 1604: Preaches Lenten sermons in Dijon, meets the future St. Francoise de Chantal, and later becomes her spiritual director.
- 1607: Begins writing the Treatise of the Love of God and also a rule for the proposed Institute of Visitation.
- 1609: Publication of Introduction to the Devout Life.
- 1610: Death of his mother, Francoise de Sales de Boisy. Foundation of the Institue of Visutation.
- 1616: Refeses to leave the city of Annncey, even though it is being besieged.
- 1618-1619: Final visit to Paris, November 1618, to September 1619.
- 1619: Publication of the definitive edition of Introduction to the Devout Life.
- 1622: Dies at Lyons on December 28.
- 1661: Declared Blessed by Pope Alexander VIII on December 27.
- 1665: Declared a Saint by Pope Alexader VIII on April 19. with his feast on January 20
- 1877: Declared a doctor of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX on July 7.
- 1923: Encyclical Rerum Omnium of Pop Pius XI in commemoration of the mercenary of St. Francis de Salees death.
The Importance of Devout Life
Introduction to the Devout Life is one of the most noteworthy books ever written Kings kept the book in their personal libraries. St. Francis’ story has been translated to dozens of languages. It is the perfect book for the start of Lent, Ash Wednesday.
