The Wisdom of Saint Francis DeSales

During his lifetime St. Francis wrote many books and innumerable letters of spiritual advice. He was known far and wide as the best spiritual director of his day. He converted seventy-two thousand Calvinists back to the Catholic Faith. Introduction to the Devout Life is one of his most widely known works. This compilation of gems of wisdom from this great Doctor of souls is a small tribute to his genius and sanctity and a book from you will derive much consolation.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Part One: Prayer and the Sacraments
1. The Word of God
2. Devotion to Mary, the Angels, and the Saints
3. The Confession of Sins
4. The Holy Eucharist
5. Other Public Devotions
6. The Spirit of Recollection
7. Consolations in Prayer
Part Two: The Virtues
1. The Selection of Virtues
2. Patience
3. Humility
4. Obedience
5. Chastity
6. Poverty of Spirit
7. Modesty
8. Faithfulness to Duty
9. Social Virtues
Part Three: Obstacles to Virtue
1. Opposition from the World
2. Temptations
3. Harmful Desires
4. Dangerous Amusements
5. Anger
6. Rash Judgment and Detraction
7. Anxiety
8. Sadness
Foreword
St. Francis de Sales was a bishop of the Church in the early seventeenth century. At a time of great upheaval and division in the Church, he worked tirelessly to restore unity and brought many people back to the Catholic Faith.
In addition to his duties as a bishop, he found time to write books on the spiritual life, polemical works, and thousands of letters written for those to whom he was giving spiritual direction. He is considered to be one of the greatest spiritual writers in the history of the Church. So great has been his influence that he was named a Doctor of the Church, a title which the Church has given to only thirty-three saints.
It is my hope that this compilation of Salesian wisdom will make the teachings of our saint more easily accessible and widely known. Its contents are taken from his classic work, An Introduction to the Devout Life. May the readers will find in this booklet a useful summary of the teachings of this great doctor and, as a result, be better able to practice them in their own lives. 25 pages. Paperback.