Introduction to the Devout Life

           

          

            

            St. Francis de Sales is a highly regarded Doctor of the Church. Born in France in the year 1567, he was the son of a wealthy noble family and the oldest of thirteen children, eight of whom only made it past infancy. He was named after St. Francis of Assisi, much like his parents who were both named Francis. ¹

            Even though he came from a luxurious lifestyle, he felt a calling to the priesthood at the age of 13. He made no mention of this spiritual desire to his family, especially his father, who had had other plans for him. One other reason for his silence though, was that he wanted to be sure whether or not this was God’s will for him. Eventually, God confirmed this for him when, after falling three times from his horse, his sword and scabbard landed on the ground in the shape of a cross. ²

            As a priest, he started out by being appointed as provost of his diocese. Later on he felt inspired to travel across the border into Switzerland with the hope of bringing back its Calvinist population to the Catholic Faith. He went from door to door trying to engage with townspeople, yet they continuously rejected him for some time. His enduring patience though, finally began to win them over, much so after they saw how kind he was to their children. ³

          

           In 1602, he was made bishop of Geneva. As bishop, he felt inclined to carry on the same mission in this new territory. However, this was not the only type of work God had for him. In 1604 he encountered a widow whom he had seen a dream, Jane de Chantal, who was on her pathway to mystical union with God. The two become close friends and began a religious community known as the Visitation Sisters. ⁴

            Nevertheless, his encounter with Jane de Chantel made him feel that it was a bishop’s duty to offer spiritual direction to those in his diocese.  Thus he devoted the remainder of his lifetime to preaching, visiting, and instructing the Faithful, namely the laity. He also greatly encouraged the priests in his diocese to do the same. After having accomplished so much, he went home to the Lord in December of 1622. ⁵

Today, St. Francis de Sales life and legacy remain with us through his writings. Though much of his writing consists of letters regarding spiritual direction, his two most famous writings are great mystical works: Treatise on the Love of God and Introduction to the Devout Life. ⁶ The Introduction to the Devout Life is a book that serves as a spiritual guide for everybody in all different walks of life. ⁷It is divided into five parts. The first part he begins with discussing the importance of avoiding sin. ⁸ However, he is quick to remind the reader that true devotion is not based on the good we do externally, but rather what we allow to happen within us through devout acts. In other words, he makes it a point to assert that a truly devout life is not necessarily a prayerful life only, but rather a fervent expression of love and devotion in every aspect of life. ⁹ This is the primary theme covered within the last four parts of the book which provide wisdom for correct disposition of the heart, living virtuously, fighting temptations, and renewing one’s self in the love of God. ¹⁰

             The significance as to why St. Francis wrote this book was to explain how everyone is called to mystical union with the Lord. It had been a great discrepancy in his time, much like today, that this union was only possible for priests and religious. Consequently though, St. Francis explicitly states how this union is at the root of one’s call to holiness. In other words, through Baptism, we are made new in Christ through the Holy Spirit that gives life. Through this we are called to share in the Lord’s oneness in eternity which cannot be achieved unless through a life of holiness. ¹¹

             Besides defending the notion of mystical union being made possible for all, St. Francis goes on to explain how a true devout life is meant to correctly correspond to one’s vocation and state in life. He gives countless examples to demonstrate this position. For instance, he talks of how a skilled worker cannot grow in the ability God has given him if he spends all day praying in church like a religious member. Moreover, how could a married man fulfill his duty in providing for the family if he chose only to own the same amount of possessions like that of a Capuchin friar. As noted, St. Francis is definitely concerned with making sure that each member of the Faithful is wise enough to make the distinction between true devotion vs. a false one. The reason he’s concerned about this clear is because a false devotion carries a spiritual danger with it: the loss of one’s soul. ¹²

             Overall, the Introduction to the Devout Life is guaranteed to serve as a primary spiritual guide for all those who truly seek to live a devout life in the Lord. Moreover, its appliance to the spiritual life can help in authenticating a devout prayerful life which in turn properly corresponds to one’s vocation. After all, much of what people mistake for today in the spiritual life is no different than those who lived during the time of St. Francis.

Endnotes

¹ Holiness in Everyday Life: The Wisdom of St. Francis De Sales, CD, Host: Ralph Martin. Renewal Ministries, 2002.

² “St. Francis de Sales.” Catholic Online, 2016. (20 April 2016), at http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=51.

³ “St. Francis de Sales,” Catholic Online.

⁴ “St. Francis de Sales,” Catholic Online.

⁵ Holiness in Everyday Life: The Wisdom of St. Francis De Sales, Ralph Martin.

⁶ Holiness in Everyday Life: The Wisdom of St. Francis De Sales, Ralph Martin.

⁷ Francis de Sales. Introduction to the Devout Life, trans. John K. Ryan. (New York: Doubleday, 1989), back cover.

⁸ Michaels, Barry. “Introduction to the Devout Life: What makes St. Francis de Sales’ famous book a spiritual classic?.” Our Sunday Visitor Inc., 2009. (20 April 2016), at http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=f6f7c5b6-f54b-4adf-98e2-140e09814cfb%40sessionmgr4002&hid=4213.

⁹ Holiness in Everyday Life: The Wisdom of St. Francis De Sales, Ralph Martin.

¹⁰ Barry. “What makes St. Francis de Sales’ famous book a spiritual classic?”

¹¹ Holiness in Everyday Life: The Wisdom of St. Francis De Sales, Ralph Martin.

¹² Holiness in Everyday Life: The Wisdom of St. Francis De Sales, Ralph Martin.