Written over 400 years ago, Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. St. Francis de Sales explains how to turn that desire for sanctity into resolutions that yield grace-filled results. Themes include: Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy schedule Growing in virtue Battling wisely against temptation Making spiritual progress through daily, monthly, and yearly exercises Whether you are just beginning your spiritual journey or are more advanced in the spiritual life, you’ll be able to apply this timeless wisdom immediately. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622) was the Bishop of Geneva and a renowned spiritual director. Preaching during the Counter-Reformation, he is estimated to have converted 70,000 Calvinists in his short lifetime. He was a fervent proponent of the universal call to holiness and spent much of his time guiding lay people on the road to sanctity. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877, St. Francis is still helping to form saints through his many writings, of which Introduction to the Devout Life is the most famous.

De Sales’ classic has been described as “a masterpiece of psychology, practical morality, and common sense” and, after The Bible and The Imitation of Christ, is the widest read spiritual book of all time. Unlike many others, Devout Life was written specifically for lay persons and it demonstrates a rare sensitivity to the demands of life in a world that is often antagonistic to spirituality. In this first-of-its-kind edition, Fr. John-Julian offers a fresh translation, a most thorough historical introduction, and notes explaining points of language and theology along the way.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1876.

An Introduction to the Devout Life is a book to be read with pencil in hand. It is a book to be read again and again. It is a book to make your guide for the rest of your life. It goes to the heart of becoming good. Its aim is to help you be rid of sin and even the inclinations to sin. Alone, its 10 brief meditations in Part I will orient you toward God for the rest of your life. No one will come away without being profoundly impressed and without being motivated to enter upon the devout life ... which leads ultimately to God and to Heaven."--Page 4 of cover.

Imagine you could meet a saint. Whom would you choose? Online with Saints invites you to virtually encounter more than one hundred saints from around the world. Women and men, carpenters and scholars, mothers and popes, princes and paupers. This book is filled with the stories of real people who strived for holiness in their everyday lives. Their stories are linked to modern questions, and together with these saints you can find the answers. The accompanying free app Online with Saints contains social media profiles for 100-plus saints, with fascinating biographical facts, quotes, prayers, and captivating evidence of their personal faith and love of God and neighbor. The app provides an augmented reality encounter. Use your phone to scan the image of a saint in the book, then watch the saint tell his or her story. Every saint has a unique story to tell about his or her journey to heaven. Each found his or her vocation in life in a different way. Their lives remind us that God has a plan for each and every one of us. If we are prepared to follow his will, he will make saints of us, too.