St. Francis De Sales

One of the most remarkable and well-documented events in Catholic history began when a young priest, St. Francis de Sales, volunteered to re-evangelize the Calvinists of the Chablais.

Finding his preaching forcefully rejected, St. Francis de Sales shrewdly switched tactics and began a written apologetics campaign, posting pamphlets on walls and slipping them beneath doors under the cover of night.

His defense of the Faith was so clear and thorough that at the end of four years nearly the entire population of 72,000 had returned to the Catholic Faith!

These powerful little tracts are as relevant today as they were in the late 1500s. St. Francis de Sales draws support from Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church to address questions still frequently posed by modern Protestants.

Revered as some of the most cogent arguments against Protestantism ever penned; they present a defense of the Catholic Faith that has never been equaled.

Now with beautiful new cover, easier to read size, updated typesetting, and the original content. 320 pps PB

St. Francis de Sales was one of the most effective Catholic apologists and evangelists of the past five centuries. Undoubtedly, he is the most effective apologist to Protestant Calvinists who has ever lived.
Steve Wood (Family Life Center International)

The bed of sickness is an altar of sacrifice, writes the saint in this treasure of spirituality. He explains what prayers are suitable for the sick, how to persevere in patience, and even how to overcome an excessive fear of death. Most importantly, St. Francis de Sales teaches about abandonment to God's will in both life and death, drawing from his memories of the deaths of his own mother and sister.

Readers of Consoling Thoughts on Sickness and Death will experience firsthand why St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is known to history as the Gentle Saint. St. Francis was Bishop of Geneva and a tireless preacher, who yet made time to correspond with numerous souls who wrote him for his insight and guidance. His Consoling Thoughts are compiled from these letters as well as from his other spiritual works.

One of the greatest spiritual classics of all time is Introduction to the Devout Life, the St. Francis de Sales masterpiece written in the seventeenth century. Deacon Matthew Newsome breaks open this divine guide from one of the most sought-after spiritual counselors in history and helps you apply it to your life today. In these pages, you will find the direction you need to grow closer to God and practice Christian discipleship regardless of your vocation.

De Sales insisted that devotion is for everyone, not just the professional religious class. He wrote for the average layperson, as Deacon Matt does in bringing de Sales's wisdom to any Christian looking for practical advice on advancing in holiness today.

Deacon Matt aligns short, easy-to-read chapters derived from de Sales's work with relatable circumstances of modern life to prepare you for a life of communion with God. You will learn how to cultivate prayerfulness and virtue, weed out temptations, and enkindle holiness. Included are questions for self-reflection, Scripture for contemplation, and additional step-by-step meditations. This book is perfectly designed for both private devotion and small-group discussions.

You will also learn:

Moreover, you will find out how to assist worthily at Mass and derive the most benefit from your reception of the sacraments. You will discover how to grow in the virtues you need most in your state in life, married or single, through examples from Scripture, the saints, and daily living.

De Sales used practical examples for the people of his time to teach them about spirituality, and, in these pages, Deacon Matt similarly lays out the path to devotion for you on such issues as fostering virtuous friendships, fasting wisely, socializing charitably, enjoying leisure, living generously, and more. With de Sales as your guide, you will learn not only how to grow in holiness but how to live a grace-filled life with consolation and joy.

This abridged and adapted edition of the classic work by Saint Francis de Sales, which is written in contemporary English, treats all of the most relevant subjects in his comprehensive spiritual masterpiece. Known as the Apostle of Love, he reaches out to all people through this concise volume, showing that devotion is available to everyone in every walk of life and occupation.

Addressed as a personal letter to Philothea, the lover of God which genuinely represents the reader the book covers: our first desire to lead a devout life to our full resolution to do so, how we should approach God in prayer and the Sacraments, the practice of 16 important virtues, remedies against ordinary temptations, and becoming confirmed in our practice of devotion. St. Francis says, Devotion is spiritual agility and vivacity, by means of which charity works in us, or we in her, with love and readiness; and as charity leads us to obey and fulfill all God s Commandments, so devotion leads us to obey them with promptitude and diligence. (p. 3)

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.

This is the original TAN edition now with updated typesetting, fresh new cover, new size and quality binding, and the same trusted content.

Living the Christian life requires a strategy. Most of us won't get to heaven through heroic feats of sanctity, but by learning to live the devout life through our everyday activities.

St. Francis de Sales has developed for you a spiritual plan of action -- a plan that will help you acquire holiness despite the many responsibilities and mundane realities that take up all your time and effort.

In these pages, Fr. Thomas Dailey -- an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales -- gently guides you through St. Francis de Sales's spiritual plan, showing how you can balance time devoted to God with the time needed to complete your many tasks each day. You'll learn St. Francis de Sales's technique of daily prayer and grace-filled awareness that will transform your life one day at a time -- no matter how busy your lifestyle.

From making a spiritual retreat during the day to fending off the many temptations you face, Live Today Well will help you commune with God throughout your day. And by practicing the little virtues you learn here, you'll soon find yourself moving toward the heavenly heights as you become the saint you are called by God to be.

You'll also learn:

Heavenly Love comes as a wound that is a gift of God.

Francis de Sales's spiritual masterpiece, Treatise on the Love of God, was originally published in 1616 while he was Bishop of Geneva. This contemporary English edition preserves St. Francis's gentle prose, his enthusiasm for God, compassion, and good humor. For all spiritual pilgrims seeking comfort and guidance, this book offers the assurance that "a deep and satisfying prayer life is not only possible, but within the reach of anyone who will accept what God is forever offering."