ADDED, FEBRUARY 2019: Self-care with St. Francis de Sales.
ADDED, FEBRUARY 2013: I created a new post on Introduction to the Devout Life with a more streamlined and easy-to-follow summary of my recommended reading order. Why not try that first?
Original post follows....
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Here is the first "wrap-up post:" How to read Introduction to the Devout Life. I recommend reading this first.
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Other writers blogging on Introduction to the Devout Life:
- Jennifer Fulwiler.
- A year with St. Francis de Sales
- 4 steps to placing yourself in the presence of God (related to my post here)
- (ADDED 2019) Amy Welborn.
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As I read through the book, I wrote the following posts in the order they are presented here. Two numbers separated by a dash refer to the part and the chapter: 1-5 means part 1, chapter 5.
1-9 through 1-18: A novena for conversion to the devout life
2-1 through 2-8: A how-to-pray
2-6 through 2-8: Getting specific
2-9 through 2-12: Spiritual recollections
Turning to part 3: St. Francis de Sales on "baby steps" (3-1 and 3-2)
Re-organizing part three thematically; discerning the right kinds of goods to seek and how
3-23 and 3-24 (more introductory stuff) -- More discernment of virtues
Choosing virtue in the performance of duties: (a) Obedience as a tool for discernment
Choosing virtue in the performance of duties: (c) Avoidance of over-eagerness and anxiety.
Shout out: Who's still reading this? Are you following along?
Structure of part 4: Troubleshooting.
4-1: Read this when people try to undermine your efforts.
4-2: Read this when you lose courage early on or when you mourn your old life.
4-7: Remedies for temptations to serious sin.
4-8 and 4-9: Remedies for temptations to lesser sins.
4-10: Strengthening your heart, or, dealing with weaknesses. (A two-pronged approach)
4-11: Troubleshooting anxiety.
4-12: Sadness.
4-13: Troubleshooting spiritual consolations.
4-14 and 4-15: Troubleshooting spiritual desolation.
Structure of part five: Renewal and preservation of devotion. (Also see this 2019 post.)
Getting started with the annual renewal; Considering the value of your resolution (5-2).
Annual review and renewal: self-examination. (5-3 through 5-7)
Daily meditations on renewing your resolution (5-9 through 14)
Thanks so much!!!
Posted by: Tabitha | 02 August 2010 at 02:00 PM