Book Review: Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales

Stain Glass Window of St. Francis de Sales/ Photo by Nick Castelli on Unsplash

     “My Philothea [, a soul in love with God], I too say to you, look up to heaven, and do not forfeit it for earth”[1]. These are closing remarks that St. Francis de Sales makes to all those who seek to unite themselves to God in love in his book, Introduction to the Devout Life. St. Francis de Sales, a doctor of the Church is noted to be of a gentle character whose life and spiritual writings have contributed to the revival of spiritual life within the Church. This great saint was born on August 21, 1567, to a noble family in Savoy and died at age 55 on the 28th of December 1622.[2] St. Francis de Sales was the bishop of Geneva, Switzerland, and cared greatly for the salvation of souls. De Sales confronted the issues of the time such as the rise of Calvinism with great patience and love directing souls to entrust themselves to God. This great Saint of the Church lived in a radical manner so much so that “through his writing and preaching, Francis attracted thousands of Swiss Protestants back to the Catholic faith”[3].

Stain Glass Window of the Holy Spirit/ Photo by Thaï Ch. Hamelin / ChokdiDesign on Unsplash

St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life is structured in five different parts all essentially calling the lay faithful to holiness through the ordinary of their daily activities and duties.

 

    The First part of the Introduction places its focuses on introducing the importance of developing a devout life.  St. Francis seeks to provide a sense of urgency to the souls that are reading his spiritual guide to departing from sin. The purification of the soul for Francis is essential as it opens the human heart to dwell in the love of God. This purification consists in allowing the Holy Spirit to shed his light into one soul to reveal to us the sins that depart us from God, “the same light that enables us to see such defects and blemishes inflames us with a desire to cleanse and purify ourselves of them”[4]. These instructions for the faithful are then proceeded by a series of meditations that call the sinner to turn his gaze on the loving heart of God. Upon each mediation, a series of affections and resolutions are put forth to deepen one's prayer and detachment from sin. This part of the introduction ends with encouraging the faithful to go to make a general confession and depart from sin. 

    In the Second part of the Introduction to the Devout Life, De Sales introduces a series of instructions calling the faithful back to God. In the same manner, Francis provides instructions to loving souls on the importance of prayer and the sacraments in their lives. St. Francis emphasizes the importance of prayer in the faithful life by stating, “Since prayer places our intellect in the brilliance of God’s light and exposes our will to the warmth of his heavenly love, nothing so effectively purifies our intellect of ignorance and our will of depraved affections”[5]. Aside from prayer, Francis exhorts the poor souls to stay close to the sacraments for it is in them that one “advance, strengthen, and comfort yourself in the love of God”[6]. 

    In the Third part of the Introduction of the Devout Life, Francis provides instructions to lead souls into the practice of virtue in their life. The emphasis that St. Francis provides on the practice of virtue is to combat the attacks of vice, “when attacked by some vice we must practice the contrary virtue much as we can and refer all the others to it”[7]. Francis instructs the souls on the various virtues in order to aid one's sanctification. 

    In the Fourth part of the Introduction to the Devout Life, De Sales writes on the topic of temptation and instructions to aid in combat. Francis reminds Philothea to not cave into the world and its false promises, “Let us give up this blind world, Philothea. Let it cry out at us as long as it pleases… Let us be firm in our purposes and unswerving in our resolutions”[8]. Perseverance is a great tool that St. Francis asks faithful souls to have against the attacks of the world. The devout life is not an easy one, but it is one that provides one with the greatest joy as one unites himself with God.

    The Final Part of St. Francis de Sale's Introduction to the Devout Life focuses on the renewal of the soul in their new way of life. Francis provides instructions that aid one to examine one's soul in different aspects and provides considerations in order to encourage perseverance in Philothea. St. Francis explains the importance of such resolutions and considerations stating, “The flesh rests heavily on the soul and constantly drags it down unless the soul lifts itself up by fervent resolutions”[9].

    St. Francis's entire work, Introduction to the Devout Life, is a well-written spiritual compass that is clear and ever-new to all times and ages. Francis lived a life full of love, living in Love Himself, thus radiating to those around him. It is stated that “He preached from his heart. ''To preach well,” he asserted, " it is necessary to love well.”’[10], and so his words captivated all those who listened. De Sales was a faithful servant who revealed spiritual mysteries to children in order for them to live a life of holiness. The Introduction to the Devout Life is an endless devotional that rekindles the heart of Philothea, a soul in love with God. It is a guide that leads one back on the right path and encourages one to take their soul seriously.  

Eucharistic Procession/ Photo by St. Charles Borromeo Seminary on Unsplash

[1]De Sales Francis, Introduction to the Devout Life, (Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1972) 291.

[2]  ​​The Life Story of St. Francis de Sales, http://www.donboscowest.org/saints/francisdesales

[3] Alan Schreck, The Compact History of the Catholic Church revised ed. (Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2009), 84.

[4] De Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, 75.

[5] De Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, 81.

[6] De Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, 118.

[7] De Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, 124.

[8] De Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, 237.

[9] De Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, 271.

[10] Leibell, J F., “St. Francis De Sales: Doctor of Ascetic Theology.” American Ecclesiastical Review, 1922. 576.