https://tanbooks.com/content/TC1253_Preview.pdf

{"num_reviews":15,"add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""},{"service":"linkedin","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"id":1261,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"Pursue holiness in the midst of the world with An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. This classic TAN edition offers a practical, gentle roadmap for cultivating virtue, mastering prayer, and overcoming daily temptations. Discover why this masterpiece by the Doctor of Charity is the essential handbook for every lay Catholic seeking a deeper interior life.","category":["Books","Books/Topic/Saints & Sainthood","Books/Topic/Spiritual Direction","Books/Topic/Theological Tradition","Books/Collections/TAN Classics","New & Popular/The Saints' Library"],"AddThisServiceButtonMeta":"","main_image":{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/1261/16473/an-introduction-to-the-devout-life__40166.1767902774.jpg?c=1","alt":"Cover of the book An Introduction to the Devout Life "},"add_to_wishlist_url":"https://tanbooks.com/wishlist.php?action=add&product_id=1261","custom_fields":[{"id":"55018","name":"Author","value":"St. Francis de Sales"},{"id":"55019","name":"Imprint","value":"TAN Books"},{"id":"55020","name":"Pages","value":"360"},{"id":"55021","name":"Publication Date","value":"7/1/1994"},{"id":"55022","name":"Product Format","value":"Paperbound"},{"id":"55023","name":"Pdf","value":"https://tanbooks.com/content/TC1253_Preview.pdf"},{"id":"60878","name":"atc-product","value":"1719"},{"id":"60884","name":"atc-product","value":"3193"},{"id":"60888","name":"atc-product","value":"3761"},{"id":"60891","name":"cpu-product","value":"1221"},{"id":"60893","name":"cpu-product","value":"4232"},{"id":"60895","name":"cpu-product","value":"3002"}],"sku":"TC1253","backorder_availability_prompt":"","url":"https://tanbooks.com/products/books/an-introduction-to-the-devout-life/","description":"<style>\n #tan-product-description h2,\n #tan-product-description h3 {\n font-family: 'Crimson Pro', serif !important;\n color: #870000 !important;\n }\n </style>\n<section id=\"tan-product-description\" style=\"font-family: 'Crimson Pro', serif; color: #262626;\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size: 1.7rem; margin-bottom: 1rem;\">An Introduction to the Devout Life</h2>\n<p style=\"margin: .25rem 0; font-size: 1.15rem; color: #555;\">By St. Francis de Sales &middot; Published by TAN Books</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Overview</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">St. Francis de Sales&rsquo;s <strong>An Introduction to the Devout Life</strong> is the perennial masterpiece of Catholic spirituality designed specifically for those living in the world. Written as a series of personal letters to \"Philothea\" (the soul who loves God), this work shatters the myth that deep holiness is reserved only for the monastery. St. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Charity, provides a practical and authoritative guide to living a life of true devotion amidst the ordinary cares of family, work, and society. From mastering interior recollection to finding remedies against common temptations, this book remains the foundational handbook for any soul seeking to turn the \"ordinary\" into the \"extraordinary\" through the power of Divine Love.</p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">\n<li><strong>Holiness for Everyone:</strong> Discover how to pursue high sanctity regardless of your state of life, profession, or busy schedule.</li>\n<li><strong>Practical Prayer Methods:</strong> Learn the famous \"Salesian\" method of meditation and how to maintain a \"spiritual bouquet\" of thoughts throughout your day.</li>\n<li><strong>Virtue in Action:</strong> Gain concrete advice on cultivating humility, gentleness, and patience in your daily interactions with others.</li>\n<li><strong>Gentle Pastoral Guidance:</strong> Benefit from the famously kind and encouraging style of one of the Church&rsquo;s most beloved spiritual directors.</li>\n<li><strong>Foundational Formation:</strong> An absolute essential for any Catholic library, recommended by popes and saints for over four centuries.</li>\n</ul>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">From the Book</h3>\n<blockquote style=\"font-style: italic; border-left: 4px solid #E2E2E2; background: #fafafa; padding: 1rem; font-size: 1.15rem; margin: 1rem 0;\">&ldquo;It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say that devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman&hellip; Wherever we may be, we can and should aspire to the perfect life.&rdquo;<br /><span style=\"font-size: 1rem; color: #555;\">&mdash; St. Francis de Sales</span></blockquote>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Intended Audience</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">This book is the \"gold standard\" for lay Catholics, parents, and working professionals who want a structured but accessible path to holiness. It is the perfect starting point for beginners in the spiritual life, yet it contains enough depth to challenge and nourish seasoned souls for a lifetime.</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">FAQs</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Who is \"Philothea\"?</strong><br />Philothea is a Greek name meaning \"lover of God.\" While St. Francis originally wrote these letters to a specific woman under his direction, he used this name so that every reader could see themselves in the text.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Is this book difficult to read?</strong><br />Not at all. St. Francis de Sales is known for his clear, elegant, and modern style. He uses frequent analogies from nature and daily life that make his profound lessons very easy to visualize and apply.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Why is this book so highly recommended?</strong><br />Because it is one of the few spiritual classics written specifically for people who have jobs, families, and social obligations, rather than for monks or nuns.</p>\n<div style=\"background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2; padding: 1.5rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.25rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem;\">Key Themes</h3>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.5;\">\n<li><strong>Universal Call to Holiness:</strong> Sanctity is possible for everyone, everywhere.</li>\n<li><strong>Spiritual Balance:</strong> Integrating deep prayer with the duties of one's state in life.</li>\n<li><strong>Interior Gentleness:</strong> Conquering the self through love and patience rather than harshness.</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</section>","show_backorder_message":false,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$22.95","value":22.95,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"},"detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"An Introduction to the Devout Life","default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"","height":"8.50","cart_url":"https://tanbooks.com/cart.php","show_backorder_availability_prompt":false,"max_purchase_quantity":0,"show_quantity_on_hand":true,"show_default_shipping_expectation_prompt":false,"show_quantity_on_backorder":false,"mpn":null,"upc":"9780895552280","options":[{"id":5140,"type":"Configurable_PickList_Set","display_name":"Format","required":true,"state":"variant_option","partial":"set-rectangle","condition":true,"values":[{"id":10126,"label":"Paperbound","selected":true,"data":"Paperbound"},{"id":10127,"label":"eBook","selected":false,"data":"eBook"},{"id":10128,"label":"MP3 Audio Download","selected":false,"data":"MP3 Audio Download"}]}],"related_products":[{"id":2682,"sku":"TE9524","name":"An Introduction to the Devout Life (eBook)","url":"https://tanbooks.com/products/books/an-introduction-to-the-devout-life-ebook/","availability":"","rating":3,"brand":null,"category":["Books/Topic/Theological Tradition","eBooks","New & Popular/The Saints' Library"],"summary":"“You aim at true devotion, my dear Philothea, because, as a Christian, you know how acceptable it is to the Divine Majesty. 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","text":"As a supplemental reading, this book is excellent prayer preparation ","date":"May 23rd 2025"},{"name":"Sylvan Gilliland","rating":"5","title":"An Introduction to the Deout Life","text":"Very readable and understandable. Helpful with spiritual growth.","date":"Feb 13th 2024"},{"name":"MATTHEW PUTNAM","rating":"5","title":"Very good","text":"This book has lots of good, actionable advice","date":"Oct 4th 2023"},{"name":"Anna Rögnvaldsdóttir ","rating":"5","title":"A very edifying book. Leads one closer to God! ","text":"I am looking forward to read the whole book. ","date":"Sep 26th 2023"},{"name":"Ed T.","rating":"5","title":"introduction to the devout life","text":"One of the best books to begin your Catholic prayer life after confirmation. Teaches daily prayer and meditation. Mystical contemplation is not the prerogative of the Saints it is for every Catholic who wants to advance in the spiritual life - in other words all Catholics. Every Catholic should read it.","date":"May 24th 2023"},{"name":"Luke S.","rating":"5","title":"A Gorgeous Introduction to Deeper Spirituality","text":"This edition of St. Francis de Sales &quot;An Introduction to the Devout Life&quot; is a beautiful book to hold in one;s hand and learn more deeply how we can express our love to the ever perfect Jesus Christ. De Sales very thoroughly goes through the main questions we should all be asking: how to engage in mental prayer? how to disavow our selves from habitual venial sin? the purpose of the Mass and how to pray it? how to make a worthy confession? and how to make a worthy examination of conscience? Not only does this guide to devotional life read very clearly by giving succinct advice on the answers to these questions but De Sales gives us essentially an amazing devotional book in his prayerful writing. I am very pleased with this purchase from TAN as it is a gorgeous book to look at on a material level and holds amazing spiritual insights within.","date":"May 24th 2023"},{"name":"Tanner","rating":"5","title":"Amazing","text":"An amazing (and very in-depth) book. Would wholeheartedly recommend!","date":"May 24th 2023"},{"name":"KATHERINE B.","rating":"5","title":"Wonderful book!","text":"I am only a little bit into this book, but I love what Ive read so far. St. Francis de Sales was a beautiful writer and what I read stays with me all day, providing gems to ponder. This is a book I dont want to rush. I want to take my time with it so I can apply what Im learning. I highly recommend!","date":"Oct 31st 2022"},{"name":"JOANNE K.","rating":"5","title":"Wonderful book","text":"I&#039;m excited to begin reading this one!","date":"Oct 22nd 2022"},{"name":"PAT G.","rating":"5","title":"Great book","text":"Great book","date":"Oct 17th 2022"},{"name":"Carlos D.","rating":"5","title":"5 stars","text":"Great Classic! I recommend this book to any Christian or even nonbelievers. It shows how a good spiritual director (the author) leads a soul to a close relationship with Christ","date":"Oct 15th 2022"},{"name":"Marguerite W.","rating":"4","title":"Very comprehensive and at times","text":"Very comprehensive and at times difficult to read. Have to slow down and appreciate the content. Very good book!","date":"Aug 28th 2022"}]},"bulk_discount_rates":[],"meta_keywords":"Philothea,Lover of God,Spiritual Direction","show_quantity_input":true,"title":"An Introduction to the Devout Life","gift_wrapping_available":false,"min_purchase_quantity":0,"customizations":[],"images":[{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/1261/16473/an-introduction-to-the-devout-life__40166.1767902774.jpg?c=1","alt":"Cover of the book An Introduction to the Devout Life "},{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/1261/16604/an-introduction-to-the-devout-life__39534.1767902774.jpg?c=1","alt":" Flat view of the book An Introduction to the Devout Life "}],"width":"5.50"}