Cheap Introduction to the Devout Life (Book) (FRANCIS DE SALES, JOHN K. RYAN) Price

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Customer Reviews of Introduction to the Devout Life

Dated but full of charm and good advice
St. Francis de Sales is one of the greatest of spiritual writers and writers, period. It is easy to be charmed by this guide to the spiritual life. He inspires the reader with a gentle, loving touch which I found delightful. He was also a very learned and experienced adviser when it came to things of the spirit. He seemed to have known about every difficulty that one has in the spiritual life and offers practical and wise solutions that anyone can carry out. If you are interested in reading the great spiritual classics, be certain not to miss this one. It will be well worth your time. I cannot imagine anyone finishing this volume without obtaining some excellent advice from it and also without making progress just from reading it. The only drawback is that it IS several hundreds years old and some of the theology is dated and will seem strange to modern, post Vatican 2 Christians. Do not let that keep you from this book, just keep it in mind when reading it. Highly recommended.

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Terrific advice for secular folks
S. Francis de Sales was reknowned even within his lifetime for his abililty to reach common people - those burdened with jobs and families. He famously converted a substantial region of rural France back from Calvinism, through his preaching, pamphleteering, and robust, public defense of the Catholic Faith.

The Introduction to the Devout Life is compiled from advice he gave in letters, and is rather well-organized, considering the source. His advice is entirely relevant and accessible to modern readers who wish to practice sanctity in everyday life.

The Vintage Spiritual Classic edition is part of a pan-religious fufu series, encompassing texts from Buddhism to Catholicism to Sufi Islam, but the translation is clear, and the book itself durable. I'd recommend as a less expensive alternative an edition from any Catholic publishing house, like Tan, Sophia, or Ignatius Press

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Practical Spirituality
This book was a required text for a Catholic Spirituality class that I took from Franciscan University of Steubenville. I absolutely loved the reading for several reasons: it helped transform my understanding of the spiritual life. Many think that a devout life is reserved only for those who have formally committed to that way of life, i.e., priesthood or religious life. However, St. Francis De Sales gives very practical guidelines for the spiritual life, helping his readers understand that the spiritual life is intended for ALL, and can be lived successfully by all. I suggest this book to anyone, in any walk of life, that is seeking direction in how to make great progress in their spiritual life.